GRACE: NOT BY MAN

Standing Against Legalism – Galations 2:11-14
Verse 11 – The apostle Paul sees hypocrisy in the legalistic move of Peter.  Peter was abandoning the grace which Paul and he had preached.  This was a time for Paul to speak and confront an erring brother.
The matter of grace is a serious matter, yet it seems that we err today by accepting those who are coming out of erring denominations, believing baptismal regeneration, and works of the “righteous” nature or sacraments save.

The MacArthur Study Bible note for verses 11-13 states –

“A brief account of the darkest days in the history of the gospel.  By withdrawing from the Gentile believers to fellowship with the Judaizers who held a position he knew was wrong Peter had in appearance supported their doctrine and nullified Paul’s divine teaching, especially the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.”  Pg. 1791

“he was to be blamed” could be read, “he stood condemned”.  He made light of grace.

Verse 12  –  Peter evidently had a fear of the Jews.  Peter had previously only been a fisherman, but now he doesn’t want to offend the Judaizers/legalist.
Peter purposely “withdrew” and purposely “separated himself” fearing the legalists.  What Peter did was in escense deny the gospel of Jesus Christ; striking a blow against grace.

Verse 13 –  Peter’s withdrawal caused others to follow.  Peter was a leader and an apostle of Jesus Christ; who in fact backslid from grace.
There are two words which we need to study.

“Dissembled”

“συνυποκρίνομαι sunupokrinomai
soon-oo-pok-rin’-om-ahee  From G4862 and G5271; to act hypocritically in concert with: – dissemble with.
meaning “to act hypocritically with”.

The other word is similar in English, but is a different Greek word “Dissimulation”

“ὑπόκρισις  hupokrisis    hoop-ok’-ree-sis
From G5271; acting under a feigned part; that is, (figuratively) deceit (“hypocrisy”): – condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.”

Verse 14 –  Paul had no option if he was to maintain grace as it was given to him by Jesus Christ.  If he had remained silent at this point grace would experience a blow against it.
The New King James reads, “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel…”

When we say nothing against a salvation by works; circumcision, sacraments, baptism, etc. we do harm to the truth of the gospel of grace.  As Paul, so do we have obligation to stand for grace.

-Tim A. Blankenship