Shingi’s Bible Commentary: Galatians Chapter 2
Study Guide
“Galatians Chapter 2: The Gospel of Identification”
In this commentary, Shingi reviews key themes, arguments, and facts from Galatians Chapter 2, focusing on the Apostle Paul’s theological stance against mixing the Law of Moses with the Gospel of Christ.
1. Core Argument: Salvation by Faith Alone, Not by the Law
The central and most important theme in Shingi’s commentary is the vehement opposition to the mixing of the Law of Moses with the faith of Jesus Christ for salvation. Teacher Shingi repeatedly stresses that “There is no Christian who has the business mixing the law of Moses with the faith of Jesus Christ.”
Lesser vs. Greater Glory: The Law of Moses is described as a “lesser glory” compared to the “greater glory that the Lord Jesus Christ brought to us with the Gospel.” Shingi questions, “Why do you want to live according to a lesser glory?”
Justification by Faith, Not Works: Paul’s argument, as expounded in Galatians 2:16, is highlighted: “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ… For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” This is presented as the foundational truth for Christian life.
Christ’s Sacrifice in Vain if Law Justifies: The commentary concludes by quoting Galatians 2:21: “I do not frustrate the grace of God. For if righteousness came by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” This underscores the radical incompatibility of the two systems for achieving righteousness.
2. Paul’s Apostolic Authority and the Revelation of the Gospel
Teacher Shingi emphasizes the unique source of Paul’s gospel message, validating his strong arguments against the Law.
Divine Revelation: Paul’s gospel was “by revelation, by apokalupsis of Jesus Christ.” He explicitly states, “No man taught me this message.” This direct divine instruction distinguishes his gospel from that propagated by others.
Three Years in Arabia: Paul spent “three years in the desert of Arabia, where he said by apokalupsis, he received the gospel message for three years.” This period is presented as Jesus’s personal teaching of Paul.
Judas’s Replacement: A provocative revelation is offered: “Paul, not Matthias, was Jesus’s replacement and choice for the bishopric of Judas,” because Jesus appeared to Paul after his resurrection for three years, mirroring the time the other disciples spent with Him. This further validates Paul’s unique authority and divine calling.
Boldness from the Word: Paul’s confidence in his message stems from having “received the word of God by apokalupsis of Jesus Christ.” Shingi presents this as a model for Christians today: “When you receive the Word of God, it comes, and it gives you the boldness that you require to be able to deliver it and to stand for it.”
3. The Antioch Confrontation: Paul Withstands Peter
A significant portion of the commentary details the conflict between Paul and Peter in Antioch, highlighting Peter’s hypocrisy and Paul’s unwavering commitment to the truth of the gospel.
Peter’s Hypocrisy: Peter is “to be blamed” because he “did eat with the Gentiles, but when [certain Jewish Christians] were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” This inconsistent behaviour contradicted the earlier agreement reached at the Jerusalem Council.
Paul’s Public Rebuke: Paul “withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” He publicly challenged Peter: “if you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compel you the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” This demonstrates Paul’s passionate defence of gospel freedom.
Barnabas Carried Away: Even Barnabas, Paul’s companion, was “carried away with their dissimulation,” underscoring the pervasive pressure to conform to legalistic practices.
4. The Jerusalem Council and the False Brethren
Shingi contextualises Galatians 2 within the broader narrative of the early church’s struggle against legalism, particularly focusing on the Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15.
The “Gospel Mixture” Challenge: The core issue at the council was the attempt by “some of the Jewish Christians… to force the Gentiles church to also observe and follow the law of Moses in order to be saved.” This was seen as a “false” gospel.
“False Brethren” and Pharisees: Teacher Shingi identifies the primary antagonists as “false brethren unawares brought in” who were “certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed” (Acts 15:5). These individuals “came in privily to spy out our liberty… that they might bring us into bondage.”
Paul’s Resistance to Subjection: Paul asserts that he “gave place by subjection. No, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with us,” indicating his firm refusal to compromise the gospel.
Pillars of the Church Affirm Paul: James, Cephas (Peter), and John, “who seemed to be pillars,” “perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship.” This signifies their acknowledgement and support of Paul’s mission to the Gentiles, and their agreement that “we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.”
5. The Gospel of Identification: A New Identity in Christ
The culmination of Paul’s theological exposition Teacher Shingi presents Galatians 2:20 as “The Gospel of Identification,” a fundamental aspect of Christian identity.
Joint Crucifixion (Sustoro): Paul declares, “I am crucified with Christ.” The Greek word ‘sustoro’ is highlighted, meaning “joint crucified,” signifying a Christian’s joint-crucifixion with Jesus Christ. Teacher expounds that in the legality of God’s justice, when Jesus Christ was being crucified, every man was crucified on that day in a “sustoro: joint-crucifixion.”
Christ Lives in Me: The direct consequence of this identification is, “Nevertheless, I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” As a result the Christian’s life is no longer their own, but an expression of the very life of Christ.
Life by the Faith of the Son of God: “And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This means that the Christian’s life is lived by identifying with the crucifixion of Christ which is a stance of receiving the deposit of the measure of the faith that Jesus Christ possessed and demonstrated by committing to the death of the cross in faith that God would raise Him up from the dead, and also that we would in the day that we hear what He did would believe. That is the faith of the son of God, it is the faith of Jesus Christ Himself in the gospel.
Joint Identification With Christ: This identification encompasses:
Joint Death: “When Jesus was dying, I was dying.”
Joint Burial: “Therefore we were buried together with him.”
Joint Resurrection: “Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we should walk in this newness of life.” (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4, Ephesians 2:5-6).
Joint Ascension and Joint Enthronement: “And has raised us up together… and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
New Creation: This process leads to a “new identity in Christ,” where “if any man be in Christ, he’s a new creation where old things have passed away.” This new creation has “no place for circumcision and the law of Moses”
6. Historical Context and Paul’s Visits to Jerusalem
The commentary provides historical context for Paul’s travels and interactions, particularly his five recorded visits to Jerusalem.
- Timeline of Visits:First Visit: Three years after conversion, to see Peter and James (Galatians 1:18).
- Relief Visit: To deliver aid during a famine in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30).
- Council Visit: The main focus of Galatians 2, where the issue of Gentile circumcision was debated (Acts 15).
- Report Visit: A brief stop to report on his second missionary journey on his way back to Antioch.
- Arrest Visit: Where he was arrested in the temple, leading to his imprisonment in Rome.
Dating of Galatians: The letter to the Galatians is estimated to have been written between AD 50 and AD 55.
In conclusion, Shingi’s Bible Commentary on Galatians Chapter 2, passionately argues for the supremacy of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, vehemently rejecting any attempt to incorporate the Law of Moses into Christian doctrine. It highlights the divine source of Paul’s gospel, his unwavering defence of this truth, and the profound implications of our “Identification With Christ” for the child of God’s new identity and life in Christ.