Galatians 2 - Freedom of the Gospel

1) As we get older we have more freedom, what are you looking forward to do when you are older that you can’t do now?

2) BACKGROUND INFO FOR CHAPTER: Explain why Jews had a prejudice against Gentiles.

a) This exclusiveness affected daily life. Strict Jews were forbidden even to do business with Gentiles; they must not go on a journey with Gentiles; they must neither give hospitality to, nor accept hospitality from, Gentiles.[1]

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3) Paul’s argument and the argument of the whole NT is that the gospel, the good news, gives us freedom, liberty, peace. Kyle says, “Deepest freedom is found in submitting to the demands of the gospel.” How is this true?

4) Read . Freedom from Tradition, did not circumcise Titus () but later circumcised Timothy (). What can we learn about our “freedom in Christ” here?

a) Paul stood firm to protect the gospel message that Titus did not have to be circumcised, but other times when people were not demanding it Paul had his teammates get circumcised to promote the gospel. What does this tell us about he lengths we should go to to advance the gospel?s

5) v. 1, 9, He had a revelation from God and had every right to take his message and run with it but he went to the leaders in Jerusalem to “compare notes” and get there blessing. Why do you think he would do that? What can we learn from that?

a) Independence, “ask for forgiveness”

b) “He was a man who gave authority its due respect. He did not go his own way. He went and talked with the leaders of the Church, however much he might differ from them. It is a great and neglected law of life that, however right we happen to be, there is nothing to be gained by rudeness. There is never any reason why courtesy and determination should not go hand in hand.”[2]

i) He had “freedom” to act how he wanted to be at the same time he would not flaunt his freedom but wanted to work within the proper authority.

6) Read . Why is what Paul did so hard? What can we learn from Paul’s actions?

a) The purity of the gospel is paramount and that standing up for it can be a lonely position.

7) In what ways has your commitment to Christ left you feeling isolated at times the way Paul must have been while confronting Peter?

8) In what ways can you relate to Peter’s actions? How have you distanced yourself from others in the past? For what reason? (pride, fear, prejudice, etc.)

9) How does such division threaten the message of the gospel? (Through faith in Christ, we are first and foremost children of God. Treating one another preferentially degrades that truth.)

[1] Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (p. 23). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

[2] Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (p. 21). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.