Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment

But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!

Summary: Paul tackles a legalistic conundrum as only Paul can. He lassos it, hogties it, and then throws it in our faces demanding that we confront his argument head-on.

Paul is writing a letter to the Galatians because he has heard that they are “deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). To help them understand what they have done that is so dangerously wrong, Paul recounts how he came to know the gospel (Galatians 1:11-12) and his experience preaching and defending the gospel since then (Galatians 1:13-2:21).

One of Paul’s challenges were the Jewish believers who could not clearly distinguish between the old and new covenants. The old covenant set Jews apart from the Gentiles and restricted what Jews could do. The new covenant in Jesus’ blood broke down the dividing line between Jew and Gentile. Even so, some Jewish believers wanted to re-establish the old covenant line to include their new Gentile brothers. Their “gospel,” which Paul calls “no gospel at all” (Galatians 1:7), is faith in Jesus plus a legal requirement. One such requirement is that male Gentiles be circumcised.

A clue to Paul’s logic is in our passage today:

“But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!”

What would make Christ one who “promotes” sin?

The answer to this question has to do with the reason for having laws. For example, if we didn’t have laws in our modern world, society wouldn’t exist. Human nature, being what it is, promotes what is good for the “self.” If you have a nice car and I want it, why shouldn’t I take it if I can? If I am able, why shouldn’t I take everything you have?

To counter this impulse to satisfy our selfish desires, society mimics what God did for the Israelites. We have laws, or rules, about which behaviors are acceptable and which are not.

Our civil laws are made by people, for people. They are accepted by most because we agree on the principle of “live and let live.” These laws are enforced by other people who represent society’s “conscience.” The system works well as long as the people who enforce the laws uphold the laws. When they fail in their obligations to uphold the law, we call that being “corrupt.”

God’s laws are similar, except that God cannot be corrupted. God’s justice, like God himself, is perfect. If God makes a law and people break that law, there is a punishment. Because God is Spirit, we do not always see his punishment meted out in this world, but we can be assured that, ultimately, justice will be served.

If I understand Paul correctly, the point he is making is this:

Jesus died to complete the old covenant with the perfect sacrifice, himself. By completing the old covenant, he was then able to offer a new covenant. Where the old covenant was a complex set of laws, the new covenant is simple; believe in Jesus, have faith in him, and trust him, and he will see you safely home to be with him in heaven.

But what if Jesus said, “Oh wait … there is this one little rule that you need to follow …”? What if that rule required circumcision, and what if some people didn’t do it? Would they then deserve punishment? Would Christ be unable to save them? More to the point, promoting a rule, or a “law,” means that those who break the rule have “sinned.” Logically, promoting a law also promotes “sin” in those who do not follow the law. Is that why Christ came, to promote sin? As Paul would say, “Absolutely not!”

Application: Accept the fact that Jesus is all we need.

Food for Thought: What “rules” do Christians like to tack on to Christ’s offer of salvation for those who have faith in him?

8 Replies to “Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment”

  1. In the last year I have heard that if someone were not a Calvinist, then they are not saved. And I have heard if someone is a Calvinist they are not saved. I have heard that if someone did not believe in a young earth then they are not saved. When I was a younger Christian in college, I heard that if someone had a tattoo or long hair they were sinful. We can all be Pharisees and try to add or subtract from the work of the cross.

    1. Thank you, Rich.

      Adding to Jesus’ requirement for salvation is an insidious trap! I am grateful you included an example that cuts both ways; not saved if you are, not saved if you aren’t. I much prefer walking next to Jesus and holding his hand.

  2. I have been told by some that if someone supported the Democratic Party they couldn’t be saved. I also knew a group that insisted that the plan of salvation had to be followed a certain way. Like certain words and verses had to be spoken in a particular order and if they werent, there was doubt whether one truely accepted Christ as their Savior. This was the same group that felt if a man didnt show up for Saturday workday at the church then their conversation may not have been genuine.

    1. Thanks, Chris!

      Your comment about “words and verses” being “spoken in a particular order” reminds me of the Athanasian Creed.

      The creed is a complex description of the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it includes the line, “Whoever wants to be saved should think thus about the Trinity.

      Taken literally, a person’s salvation is not only contingent on what they say and do, but how they think. Step out of line in your thinking, and according to this creed, I presume you are toast!

  3. Good discussion today. The thief on the cross was invited into Paradise without being physically baptized, although some think that their baptism gets them to heaven. Some folks get confused between positional sanctification (He saved me for eternity) and practical sanctification (I serve and obey Him because He saved me and I love Him).

  4. 02-17-2024, What “rules” do Christians like to tack on to Christ’s offer of salvation for those who have faith in him?

    Matthew 22:2-14, Ends as Jesus teaches, “Many are called. but few are chosen.“

    I was called and directed to a church which was full of people who did not bring Bibles with them. They would recite creeds and receive their teachings on how to be a good person from readers digest. Among these people was one man who attended a weekly men’s bible study and he was the reason God had directed me to this church.

    As I studied God’s word, I received Christ and grew spiritually, God called me to a bible based church. Everyone brought their bibles to church and all teachings were from the bible. One day I was speaking with a wise old saint, and expressed my amazement as I studied the Bible, I had learned I had been saved by my faith in Jesus and was guaranteed a place in heaven. There was nothing more I had to do. He agreed, and then told me that was true, BUT I should not tell others because they might stop coming to church.

    As spiritual beings confined in human flesh, we will continually battle our human desired to be approved by mankind as well as our Lord. Our salvation has come from God, we have been, and are being transformed into the spiritual beings ordained by God for His purposes. Jesus knew this, all the well grounded men and women of the Bible knew this, and deep inside every true believer knows this today. God has given us Revelation 22:18-19 as a warning of the price to be paid by this who would add to or take from His word.

    We must separate ourselves from this world and live according to God’s will, as revealed by His Holy Spirit.
    2 Corinthians 6:16-18, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:9, Romans 16:17

    1. Ron,

      Interesting story! Thank you.

      It is really interesting, isn’t it, that we like to make “rules” for Jesus. If this, then that, or so goes the formula. Do we think Jesus checks his rule book when he meets us on the other side, or do we think he checks his heart? That, it seems to me, is the question.

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