… because he stood condemned.
Summary: Today’s passage uses the word “condemned.” Because the word can mean that we have passed judgment on someone, we look at other possible meanings for the original Greek text.
When Paul opposed Peter, it wasn’t because they disagreed. He opposed Peter because “he stood condemned.” There is a difference. But why would Paul write something like that? Did he really mean that Peter was “condemned?”
I will argue that Paul’s use of the Greek word “kataginōskō” does not mean “condemned” in this context, and I’ll explain why. There is an important distinction between finding fault or blame with someone and condemning them.
To say someone is “condemned” can be understood to mean that they have been judged as unworthy of heaven. Since there are only two choices of where we reside after this life in the flesh, if we are not in heaven, then we must be in the other place.
Paul understands that God will judge us as we judge others (Matthew 7:1). If Paul condemned someone out of hand, he would be subject to the same condemnation. Paul also understands that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17). It would go against everything Paul believed in to deny that Jesus has the power to save us through faith (Romans 10:10, Ephesians 2:8).
To avoid confusion, it is more accurate to say that Paul found fault with Peter. Strong’s G2607 provides this definition of the word Paul used.* It says to “to note against, i.e. find fault with.” Paul certainly had a right to do that. Peter had been instructed by God with a vision and a visit by the Holy Spirit. Gentiles were to be accepted on faith, without conforming to the demands of the old covenant (See Acts 10, 11: 1-18).
There is an important lesson here if we choose to see it. There is danger in condemning others (Matthew 7:1). Yet there is danger in not standing up for the true gospel, too (See Ezekiel 3:16-19). Perhaps the best advice comes from our Lord, Jesus:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)
Application: Know your Bible.
Food for Thought: How does judging someone as “condemned” impact the body of Christ?
*”G2607 – kataginōskō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 4 Feb, 2024. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2607/niv/mgnt/0-1/.
If we are in fact talking about condemning someone else a saying they are going to hell, then we should tread lightly.
If they say they do not believe in Jesus and reject the gospel message that is one thing (and even then our thoughts will hopefully turn to sharing the gospel and praying for them). However, if they claim to know Jesus and we simply don’t like a stand they are making, then we can seek to have a loving interaction looking at God’s word. But to condemn someone to hell is a job that is already taken and it is not ours. That right belongs to a Judge Who is truly all knowing and righteous.
We can and should agree with God’s word on any given subject, but being the judge of souls is God’s job alone.
Thanks Rich!
It is painful to see the body of Christ divided when some people see themselves as the arbiter of “right and wrong.” It is one thing to be appointed by a group as an arbiter. It is another to be self-appointed. Thank you for pointing us back to the ultimate arbiter – Jesus Christ and his Word.
I believe people grow in the knowledge and understanding of the Lord, by His grace. We don’t get to pick, we receive as the Spirit sees fit. Also, not everyone receives the same at the same time. This makes us members of His body, and gives us cause to fellowship and grow together, edifying the body and Christ as the head. You wouldn’t “condemn” a kindergartener for not understanding calculous. Also, one day each one if us might be the one who understand calculous, and the next day each one of us might be the kindergartener. Condemning each other would only serve to stunt the growth of the body of Christ.
Chris,
You remind me of 2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Jesus himself provides us with an example of being patient.
02-05-2024, How does judging someone as “condemned” impact the body of Christ?
It can cleanse, or split the church, possibly both. Paul told Peter, he had placed himself in a position of being condemned, by his own actions regarding table fellowship.
Galatians 2:13, THE OTHER JEWS JOINED PETER IN HIS HYPOCRISY, SO BY THEIR HYPOCRISY EVEN BARNABAS WAS LED ASTRAY.
Previously:
Acts 10:9-16, 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Galatians 2:11-13, Tells us, When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, BECAUSE HE STOOD CONDEMNED. 12 before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 THE OTHER JEWS JOINED HIM IN HIS HYPOCRISY, SO BY THEIR HYPOCRISY EVEN BARNABAS WAS LED ASTRAY.
The problem with Peters withdrawal from table fellowship with non-Jews was what this choice on his part communicated about the nature of the gospel. It implied that in addition to what God accomplished for sinful humanity through the atoning death of Christ, people had to contribute something to their own redemption before reconciliation with God was complete and fellowship with other, fully justified Christians was possible.
2 Timothy 4:2, 3:16 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Thank you, Ron.
“It can cleanse, or split the church, possibly both.”
Well said! The two are not mutually exclusive, either. A church split can end up being a cleansing action.