The Epistle to the Galatians, often shortened to Galatians, is the ninth book of the New Testament. It is a letter from Saint Paul to a number of early Christian communities in Galatia which is believed to be modern day Ankara in Turkey. Saint Paul argues that the Gentile Galatians do not need to adhere to the tenets of the Mosaic Law (Law of Moses), particularly circumcision, by contextualizing the role of the law in light of the revelation of Christ. Galatians has exerted enormous influence on the history of Christianity, the development of Christian theology, and the study of the apostle Paul.
Today we want to dive further in Chapter of Galatians 2
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out sour freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—
5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Verse 1-10 tells us that Saint Paul experiences with other Apostles of Jesus, we learn that Saint Paul was on a missionary mission with Saint Barnabas and Titus. He said Titus who was a Greek was not forced to be circumcised, but asked why other people that are not Jew like the Gentiles are forced by the law to be circumcised.
Let's continue to the next verse 11-14
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Verse 11-14 shows that Saint Paul was having disagreement with and opposes Apostle Peter. The main topic of the disagreement seems to be about the topic of circumcision law.
Let's continue to the final part of the verse 15-21
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
From these verses, we can see that Saint Paul did not have an agreement with Saint Peter and other Disciples of Jesus and he made his conclusion in verse 16 that "A man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith of Jesus Christ." He continued, "Even we have believed in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law". And then he said "For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified". From this verse he made a conclusion that only by Faith that mankind will be justified not by the works of the law and by the works of the law no mankind shall be justified. This was against the law and teaching of the time of Jesus Christ, thus it was very opposed by Saint Peters and the rest of the Disciples.
Let's take a look at verse number 20, where Saint Paul said "My old self has been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Why did Saint Paul said his old self has been crucified and Jesus himself lives inside his body? Did he wanted to proof to Saint Peter and the rest that Jesus is inside of him and he has the authority in the argument above? But the most important question, does Saint Paul have the rights and is this the right thing to say?
In the history of entire Bible and Torah as well as the revelation of God, we can always see the common pattern where God had chosen a Messenger or Prophet for the people of their time through the Angel from the time of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jonah, David, Solomon and beyond. And the Prophet will always inform to their people about message of Oneness of God and following the law and always
declared themselves that they are the Prophet chosen by God. Did Saint Paul declared that he was a Prophet of God? From history, we don't have any evidence that Saint Paul has declared himself as a Prophet that brought new divine messages or revelation from God. But what were the meaning of these messages by Saint Paul in Galatians 2:16 and 2:20
Let's look into Chapter Galatians 6 verse 1-10, which mentions about bearing one another's burden.
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Let's continue with verse 11-18
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
In verse 11-18, we can see that Saint Paul has stated that some people from the Jew that were circumcised didn't keep the law, but wanted the Gentiles to circumcised and receive glory from God. He continued in verse 15 "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." He then praised upon the Jews and said "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God"
The next verse, Saint Paul said "From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus." Why did Saint Paul said that he has the scars that belong to Jesus? First of all is this the right thing to say? What is the motive of saying this? Could it be that he wanted authority as Jesus himself is inside his body? As he continued to preached the people of Galatians "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."
Let's also look into Chapter 2 Corinthians 11. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (written as 2 Corinthians), is a Pauline epistle and the eighth book of the New Testament of the Bible. Paul the Apostle and "Timothy our brother" wrote this epistle to "the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia". Chapter 11 Verse 1-15 is a basically the writings to defend his apostleship which were questioned by many including other living Disciples of Jesus which met Jesus in person during that time.
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Verse 16-33, Paul wrote about his sufferings as an apostle.
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise.
20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
In verse 23, Saint Paul said "Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death." which is referring to other Disciple of Christ. He said he is a better one and continues to write the reasons which are with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
Lessons to Learn
In this article, basically we wanted to learn a few things such as:
1. Why did Saint Paul argue with the other Apostles of Jesus (Saint Peter, Saint Barnabas, Saint James and others) - Mostly it's about Law of Moses especially in the rule of circumcision proven to be the topic of argument?
2. Paul concluded that Jesus is inside of him and he bears the scars of Jesus. Does anyone have the rights to say that he is Jesus or has authority from Jesus? What is the motive of him saying this? Is it to gain authority to win the argument he had with other Apostles?
If he was meant to bring revelation to mankind, as of other Prophets, the right thing for him to do is declare himself as a prophet to mankind. Did he declare himself as prophet that brought message from God?
As described in Amos 3:7 - Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
God only reveal his revelation to the Prophets so that they can tell mankind.
3. Why did Paul said he is better than other servants of Christ (Other Disciple of Jesus). An honest and kind person will never say he is better than another and will not list down his works i.e far greater labors, far more imprisonments, more beatings and often near death. Also, noticed that in writings by Saint Paul in the Bible we can see there are many words using "I, my, my" which referring to himself compared to the 4 Gospels i.e Gospel of John, Make, Luke and Matthew which tells a story instead of referring to themselves as the author.
Logically, if someone does a good deed (i.e for charity) or sincere to help, usually the person will not mention about him or herself. If someone mentioned him or herself, it's a sign that it's not pure sincerity or could be to gain something or has a certain motive.
