Galatians Lesson 2
THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL: JUSTIFIED ONLY BY FAITH IN CHRIST
Galatians 2:1–21
Key Verse: 2:16
SO THAT THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL MIGHT BE PRESERVED FOR YOU (1–10)
Fourteen years later, what motivated Paul to visit Jerusalem1? (1-2,4) In Paul’s mind, why was this matter so serious? (2b) What happened to Titus in Jerusalem, and what was the significance of this? (1b,3)
What was the false brothers’ real motive in forcing Gentiles to be circumcised? (4) Read verse 5. Why did Paul say “the truth of the gospel”? (cf. verse 14.) Why was preserving it so crucial for the history of Christian missions? What can we learn from Paul’s absolute stand? From his shepherd’s concern for Gentile believers?
How did the leaders in Jerusalem respond to Paul and his message? (6–9) How could they agree to part ways amicably and work for the gospel respectively? (8–10) How would the Jerusalem leaders’ acceptance help Paul in his Gentile ministry?
ACTING IN LINE WITH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL (11–21)
How did the circumcision group influence Peter to change his behavior, and what impact did this have? (12–13) How and why did Paul rebuke him publicly? (14) In this case, what does it mean to “act in line with the truth of the gospel”? Why was it so important for Jewish Christians to have fellowship with Gentile Christians? (3:26–29)
Read verses 15–16. How does the gospel apply to both Jews and Gentiles, and what contrast does Paul make here? How do people generally understand the term “justified,” and how do they pursue it? What does it mean to be justified only by faith in Christ? (Ac13:38–39; Ro1:17; 3:24–25)
How did Paul dispel misunderstandings about those who trust only in the gospel? (17–18) Read verse 19. What did he mean when Paul said he died to the law? (Ro7:9) For what purpose? (19b) Read verse 20. In what respects did Christ’s love change Paul? Why is it so important to live by the grace of God alone? (21)
What can we learn in this study about how to defend the truth of the gospel? How can we live only by faith in the grace of Jesus in our personal lives? How can we apply this to the way we relate to others in our field of ministry?
Based on his use of the words “privately” and “in response to a revelation,” Paul’s trip to Jerusalem seems to be prior to his going to the Jerusalem Council, which was a public event and instigated by a sharp dispute and debate at Antioch with the circumcision group (Ac15:1–2).↩