Galatians – Confronting Compromise

As we go through life, there are moments where the fleeting pleasures and pressures of this world tempt us to compromise our biblical beliefs. When we give in, the gospel is compromised to those we bear witness to.  

In today’s passage, we see Peter succumb into such behaviour, his actions failed to reflect what he preached and Paul confronts him about it.  

Galatians 2:11-13 “When Cephas (Paul) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For 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. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.”

There were both Jews and gentiles that comprised the church in Galatia. The Jews in accordance with the Jewish rules, kept themselves separate from the gentiles following dietary laws so that they could remain clean to be able to go to the temple and worship.

Peter’s Compromise

Peter had a vision earlier from God that enabled him to clearly understand that God did not show any favouritism and the barrier between Jews and gentiles was removed (Acts 10).

Peter had travelled to Antioch, while he was there, he fellowshipped and ate with the gentiles. But when some Jewish leaders from the church in Jerusalem came to Antioch, Peter “withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision group” (v. 12). Peter had gradually segregated himself from Gentiles, fellowshipping and eating only with Jewish believers. Why? Because he feared criticism from the Jewish leaders. Peter’s actions caused the other Jewish believers in the church of Galatia to join in this hypocrisy—even Barnabas (v. 13).

Repercussions of Peter’s actions

Peter’s actions led to a distorted understanding of God’s grace. It gave power to what the Judaisers were teaching, it legitimised the false gospel they were perpetuating, the requirement for the gentiles to follow Jewish customs. His actions enabled the separation between the Jews and gentiles that through Christ was broken down. Peter’s actions implied that Jewish Christians have something that Gentile believers lack, that God only accepts those who live according to the Jewish law.  

Paul’s Response to Peter

Paul confronts Peter’s actions, “When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas 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?” (Galatians 2:14).

Peter in front of the Jerusalem Council had stated that the Gentiles do not have to be under the yoke of the Law, as through Christ all are justified by faith (Acts 15:9-10). But with his actions in Antioch, he undermined what he believed and taught. If Paul had not confronted Peter in such a manner, freedom in Christ would have been severely eroded, opening the door for Judaizers to corrupt the church by teaching a false gospel.

Why does Paul confront Peter publicly?

We read in Mathew 18:15-17 “If your brother or sistersins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”

Why would Paul confront Peter in front of all? Remember that Peter’s actions as a leader influenced others in the church, this was not a one-on-one issue anymore. The issue had already moved beyond that. Therefore, Paul caring about the truth of the gospel did so to ensure that this matter was addressed in front of all, as it affected all there.

By sharing this incident about Peter in this epistle, Paul intends to further assert the truth of the gospel. 

He continues in Galatians 2:15-16“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of 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 inChrist and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”

Three times in the above verses Paul emphasises that no one is justified by observing the law, and three times it underscores the indispensable requirement of placing one’s faith in Jesus. Paul is not depreciating the law as he wrote in Romans 7 “The law is holy, righteous and good.” Paul speaks that although the law is good, the observance of it is not the means by which one is accepted by God (NIV Study Bible, page 1823).  

For us: Grace and legalism do not co-reside. If acceptance from God could be earned, then it completely nullifies Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We must be ever cautious to not give into pressure from the world around us and fall into behaviours that make us compromise the truth. Like Paul, may we not overlook compromise to the word of God, such behaviours need to be addressed (with love and respect), staying silent out of politeness or political correctness is not the best route, for compromise will tend to infiltrate and leads us on a path that is far removed from what is right in God’s eyes.

Reflect on how you might falter as Peter did, on areas of compromise that you tend to fall into.

God Bless.