Galatians 2

Read: Galatians 2

What I love about Paul in Galatians 2 is his ability to be humble but also bold at the same time.

We see his humility shown in verse 2, “I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement…” This is the Apostle Paul here! The one who wrote most of the New Testament! And he is humbling coming before leaders and making sure that he is preaching the true and correct Gospel.

We see Paul’s boldness when he calls out Peter for acting hypocritical. Peter was afraid of being criticized by the Jews for eating with Gentiles. And we can tell from this passage that Paul was not happy about it. Paul is definitely bold because he was not going to let Peter, an original Apostle, exclude people from the Gospel.

I think there is an important takeaway for all of us in this chapter. That is: be mindful and careful of Christian leaders who you are listening to and what they are saying. Don’t just accept the message of someone because you like them or you read something good from them once. Make sure that they are grounded in Scripture. Make sure that the Bible is the authority and not them.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul had to make sure his theology was right, and Peter (an amazing leader) got called out for his sin. Christian leaders are not above mistakes, but how they handle those mistakes is important.

Also, I couldn’t exclude verse 16 (it is just too good): A PERSON IS MADE RIGHT WITH GOD BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, NOT BY OBEYING THE LAW. Those are important words to hear and be reminded of.

Discussion Questions: Has there been a Christian leader that you had to stop listening to because their theology got worse?

What stood out to you in this passage? (I would love to hear about it in the comments!)

By: Brice Stockton

24 Comments


Daniel White - January 25th, 2021 at 5:25am

Thank you Brice!

I can’t think of any spiritual leaders I have had to completely stop listening to but there are leaders who are Christians that need to be confronted.



For me the boldness part is easy but the humility part and doing it with the right heart attitude/motives is challenging.

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:49pm

Praying for you Daniel!

Korbet Finley - January 25th, 2021 at 6:04am

A convicted criminal of a capital crime is executed. Does the law have any consequences once the punishment has been delivered? Think about it, no it does not. Thus it starts to make sense that when Paul says, "through the law I died to the law, (v.19)" there is no further crime to pay for. In the case of the believer, we died in Christ, who paid the penalty in full. What a wonderful gift we've been given! We've been pardoned of our sins and granted new life "which I now live in the flesh -- I live by faith in the Son of God. (v.20)"

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:50pm

Jesus’ atonement for our sin is such a great reminder! Thanks Korbet!

Jordan Hampton - January 25th, 2021 at 6:28am

When I first got saved, I was listening to some Steven Furtick and then figured out some more about theology and then pieced together the prosperity, self-help gospel there.



And verse 20 stands out to me the most. There's just so much here. We've died with Christ to our old selves and are no longer directed by our selfish ambitions and goals. Christ empowers us to live this life to bear fruit for His glory as we have trust in Him to equip and provide. And then, the most beautiful part. The "love and gave himself for me". The Cross was personal. It was an expression of His love directly towards Paul, directly towards me, and directly towards anyone who has believed on His name.

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:51pm

The Cross was personal! Great comment!

Tim Hamilton - January 25th, 2021 at 6:35am

Years and years ago I used to listen and read books by an author who is a pastor of a big mega church. I cannot recall his name and I'm not sure if that is old age or a divine blessing, but this pastor announced years ago that suddenly he did not believe in hell. At that point I stopped paying attention and dismissed him.

So grateful that our leaders and Tim and other pastors rely entirely on God's Word.

Korbet Finley - January 25th, 2021 at 6:46am

Yes, and amen!

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:51pm

Thanks for sharing Tim!

Scottie Frans - January 25th, 2021 at 9:39am

I have been blessed as a believer by the influences I have had around me. When I really started growing in my faith, I was involved in Cru at EKU, and I had some great friends and leaders there who pointed me to the right resources that were gospel focused and not false teachers like we see in the prosperity gospel movement. Those friends and leaders encouraged me to ensure everything I was reading/watching was based in scripture. Surround yourself with great people who encourage you to challenge everything you consume and view it through the lens of scripture. Everyone needs a Paul in their life to do this. Thankful for accountability, today!

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:52pm

Love hearing this! Thanks Scottie!

Lindsay R Crawford - January 25th, 2021 at 9:50am

Brice, your message today is so spot on! "Make sure that the Bible is the authority and not them" (scriptural leaders). Through my walk with Christ I have become enamored with a few speakers that I eventually came to find were espousing incorrect or flat-out false doctrine. But their messages and deliveries were so smooth and enticing (and also sprinkled with truth) that it was easy to be taken in. Staying in the Word and constantly searching for scriptural agreement is the only way to keep yourself from deception.

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:53pm

This is great! Thanks Lindsay!

Adrian Partridge - January 25th, 2021 at 10:39am

I was listening to some of Joyce Meyer's at one point, but I stopped listening to it because I found out that her theology revolves around the prosperity gospel.



I would say Galatians 2:20 is one of my favorite verse that I have memorized... "My old self has been crucified with Christ.[e] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Jesus is my source of strength in everything that I do in life. Thank you for the encouraging words Brice!

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:53pm

Love that you have verse 20 memorized, it is such a great reminder!

Al Pelphrey - January 25th, 2021 at 1:43pm

For me...the pivotal and most cherished portion of today's reading is found in Gal 2:19-21.. in essence this is the shift from being under the law to living under GRACE! I am so very very thankful for grace, there is just no possible way to live the Christian life without it. If there is any one theme in the Bible that I hold closest to my heart that is the doctrine of GRACE. There have been more than one Christian leader that I have had to stop listening to when they miss the mark on GRACE and emphasize legalism. I personally think legalism has driven more people from the church than any other one single issue. Of course....this is just my opinion.

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:55pm

We should never take for granted God’s grace! Thanks for sharing this Al!

Mike Pepper - January 25th, 2021 at 6:32pm

Thank you Brice and everyone who takes time to comment. It’s awesome to hear how scripture speaks to each of us. Several people have already commented on this but it is important to have loving Christian brothers & sisters who are bold enough to call us out if we stray from scripture. There are areas of scripture where we can have different interpretations, particularly as it relates to specifics regarding end times and Revelation. I want to be true to scripture and want correction if I stray. Regarding following Christian authors and ministry leaders: We can gain valuable insights to God’s word from reading the works of great writers. However, if we find ourselves reading other resources more than reading the Bible we are in dangerous territory. There is NO substitute to reading The Word. The Holy Spirit will guide us and open our eyes to truths we cannot find in any other book. I’m so glad to be part of a church that emphasizes spending time in God’s word above all. My favorite verse in the Bible over the years is John 1:14. And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us...... That tells is everything we need to know about the importance of The Word.

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:57pm

I love your comment on the fact that there is no substitute for the Bible. Other resources are great and helpful for our spiritual growth in particular areas, but nothing should take the place of God’s Word! Thanks Mike!

Susan D’S - January 25th, 2021 at 7:39pm

It hit me that Peter’s actions were due to fear of man here again, just as Graham pointed out before, when he denied the Lord. Made me think we need to be vigilant about those sins that are our constant weak links, and have a solid brother or sister to hold us accountable and call us out if necessary!

Thanks, Brice!

Brice Stockton - January 25th, 2021 at 7:57pm

Great comment! Thanks Susan!

Rasheed Flowers - January 25th, 2021 at 7:58pm

Great points. I love the reminder that faith alone makes me right with Christ! If my works did it, why did Christ die!? I am wondering how you balance spending your time with non-believers in order to share the gospel with them?

Rachel Monroe - January 25th, 2021 at 9:11pm

Something I have been working on over time is lovingly calling out Christian friends if they need it. I had to realize that it wasn’t loving to not speak up when we see sin and that Jesus (and Paul) confronted people - and it’s really not about us, it’s about God! I appreciate Paul’s boldness and it’s balance with humility. Such a great example.

Norma White - January 26th, 2021 at 1:33pm

Convicting message! A while back, I saw a ministry that was based on Matthew 24:27. I quickly saw that their doctrine did not line up at all with the Gospel. It is so important to study the scriptures!

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