Written by Mr. Lalnunmawia H

Galatia is an urgent pastoral letter written to a specific cluster of churches at a moment of crisis. Paul received a message about the preaching of different Gospel by Jewish Christian missionaries in Galatia (Gal.1:6), and they were seeking to persuade the Gentile Christians to be circumcised (Gal.5:2-4; 6:12-13). They were teaching that the Gentiles should take the next step into full covenant membership by being circumcised.

So, Paul sent this letter, and one of his main themes in this letter is ‘rectification through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ’ under which our selected passage is also being there.

Gal.2:19-21 is a response to Christians of Jewish origin that probably came from Jerusalem with another gospel (Gal.1:7) which is contrary to Paul’s gospel. Paul and the preacher from Jerusalem agree on the fact that justification by faith and the gift of the spirit was for both gentiles and Jews. However, Paul and the Jewish preachers were opposing each other on the question of ‘how the Gentiles were to receive God’s gift in Jesus?’ For the Jewish preacher faith in Christ had a role, but justification was not complete without observing the works of the Law. Whereas for Paul God offered justification through ‘faith in Christ’. Hence, this passage is a brief summary of Paul’s teaching on faith and Jewish observances.

Let us learn how God gives justification from the following four points:

Law does not permit for justification

In Gal.2:19 Paul stated through the law I died to the law”. But how has this status resulted because of the Law? If he said because of Christ crucifixion he died to the law, it would be easier to understand. But how does he die to the law because of the law? This is interpreted by Dunn that when Paul says ‘through the law’, he is referring to his activity as a persecutor of the church motivated by zeal for the law. After receiving God’s grace, he was died to the law. If righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died without cause. If any attempt were made to put works in the place of faith, or to mix works with faith as a ground of justification, the grace of God were effectively frustrated.

Incidentally the people of Galatia departed from the importance of ‘grace through faith’. Legalism made them to desire to keep the law in order to be saved and be accepted by God. Thus, the difference between the law and the faith are totally neglected.

The grace of God is the true source of salvation

Through faith in Christ, believer has been identified with Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection and so can live for God. This explanation given by Paul is extremely important because he turns his opponent’s argument by making a point that their doctrine of retaining the law and adding it to faith in Christ actually emptied the meaning of the cross.

This grace was manifested in the death of Christ; the Apostle’s trust in him only magnified the grace of God. Righteousness comes by faith, not by the Law. If the sinner can win for himself by his personal obedience, why Christ should die?

The given passage is central to Paul’s teaching of faith. The perfection of Christian life is expressed here. The phrase “Christ lives in me” refers not merely to an existence dominated by a new psychological motivation. Rather, it restructures human beings into new beings and supplies them with a new principle of activity. This must penetrate into ones awareness so that one realizes in faith that true life comes only from Jesus’ redemptive and surrender.

God’s present existence is continuing

The phrase ‘crucified with’ in Gal.2:20 is in a perfect tense. This signifies a completed past action whose effects continue into the present; Paul’s union with Christ’s crucifixion is not merely a once event, but reality that continues to determine his present existence. Friends, what is our present condition, do we live in Christ? In our everyday life, our living in Christ should be shown. What we have experience is not enough, God’s presence should be continuing.

Practices should be according to the crucified one

Gal.2:20 tells that Paul lives in the mysterious power of the risen Christ. This means that all his values and practices are reshaped in accordance with the identity of the crucified one. The hallmarks of this new identity are love, self-giving, rather than circumcision and law observance. The faith we have in Christ should always enhance us to live a life worthy of him. What kind of lifestyle we show? Is it in accordance with the identity of crucified one? Our faith must convey the message of Christ in our surrounding society.

Paul’s message to the Galatians clearly indicated that the only way to salvation is God’s grace in Jesus Christ and not upon any work we do. Good works are the follower of justified persons. It is to remember that without Christ’s death there can be no reconciliation with God. The Law leads us to faith in Christ, who in turn releases us from the curse and power of the Law. If we live to God, it is only because we have been united with Christ crucified. He gave himself for us, and makes the life of faith possible.

We are not working to justify, but we are working because we are justified. If we are receiving righteousness by observing the law, there would be no need for grace, and Christ’s self-giving would have been a waste. So Paul encourages us to look at our entire Christian lives as proof of worship and faith. Gal.4:7 tells that we are no longer slaves, but children of God. Justification cannot be achieved through the Law. The foundational truth is that Jesus died ‘to set us free from the present evil age’.

Copyright © March 2010. Lalnunmawia H

Author: Mr. Lalnunmawia H is doing his theological studies at The United Theological College, Bangalore.

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