In the post Reconciliation between Christian Brothers, Galatians 2 presented examples of what type of conflicts/arguments the believer should engage. Other verses were provided that help to guide us in that endeavor as well. Today, we will explore some issues addressed by Paul in Galatians 2. Paul’s address serves as a model of what type of conflict in which believers should be engaged and how to engage them.
In the new testament, there several Greek words translated as rebuke. epitimaō to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely a) to admonish or charge sharply; amōmētos that cannot be censured, blameless; elegchō to convict, refute, confute a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted; epiplēssō 1) to strike upon, beat upon 2) to chastise with words, to chide, upbraid, rebuke; ga`ar to rebuke, reprove, corrupt. Regardless of the word used, the context for addressing a believer is when they are proclaiming or acting in a manner in consistent with what the Word of God teaches. In Galatians 2, Paul rebukes Peter for teaching or at least practicing the heresy that all Gentile converts were to be circumcised according to Jewish laws. This had long been an issue among Jewish and Gentile believers. Jews, whom God called Peter to minister, faced the challenge of holding on to traditions from the way of Moses that is the Law. When the gospel began going to the Gentiles, some Jews imposed this tradition which was not conveyed, communicated or commanded by the Lord Jesus. In fact, this polluted the gospel message. This incorrect teaching or practice was something in which Peter was well acquainted; he knew better. Consequently, Paul rebuked Peter for his actions which led other Jewish believers in Christ astray.
Hear what Paul said in Galatians 2
11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 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 that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
17 “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Peter really knew better. Read Acts 10 -15 to verify the matter. Remember, Peter had been locked up for standing up for this very fact. Remember the believers praying for him and cell being miraculously opened. Beyond all that, hear what Peter proclaimed in Acts 15:5-11:
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Since it was clear to both Peter and Paul, that Peter knew the truth and acted contrary to the truth leading others astray, Paul rebuked him publicly among the believers to deal with the miscarriage of truth conveyed by his actions. How did Peter respond? Peter quickly repented from his sin and responded to the truth by realigning his behavior with the will of God. This is why God allowed him to remain as a leader in His church. It is how we respond to rebuke that determines whether we will be reconciled in the body of Christ.
There is so much to say here, but I only have your attention for so many words through the length of the post. When we sin, and we will, we must realign our thoughts and actions with the Word of God. If we do not, we run the risk of being cut off by the people of God and God Himself. Our refusal to obey the truth reveals a greater issue. It may be that we really don’t know the Lord as we claim we do. Watch out.
