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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. This section continues the literary unit (Paul defends his Apostleship) which began in Gal_1:11 and extends through Gal_2:14.
B. In Gal_2:15-21 a transition passage introduces the content of Paul's gospel, further elaborated in chapters 3 & 4. This is Paul's autobiographical defense of his apostleship and gospel as based on the revelatory will of God and not on any human tradition, even those traditions derived from the Twelve Apostles and the Jerusalem Church.
C. This passage is notoriously difficult to interpret for two reasons:
1. The first section, Gal_2:1-10, contains grammatical idiosyncrasies. Paul began a subject in Gal_2:1-2, but in Gal_2:3-10 he broke into this subject with a series of three parentheses and broken sentences. The subject of Gal_2:1-2 resumes again in Gal_2:6-10. Although this is difficult to graph grammatically, the overall meaning is clear.
By comparing the unusual punctuation of Gal_2:1-10 in modern translations (i.e., parentheses, dashes, three dots), one can see the problems in trying to follow Paul's thought.
2. The next section, Gal_2:11-21, is also difficult to interpret because the conclusion of Paul and Peter's discussion is uncertain. The NRSV, TEV, and JB translations restrict the quote to Gal_2:14 while, the NASB ends the quote at Gal_2:21. I think Paul concluded his address to Peter at Gal_2:14 and a theological summary relating to believing Jews and Judaizers' understanding of the place of the Law begins in Gal_2:15 and goes through Gal_2:21.
Paul answers a series of questions, charges, or misunderstandings about his gospel of God's free grace in verses Gal_2:15-21. The questions are not from Peter but from the Judaizers and their Pharisee backers. His response to these questions will be expanded in chapters 3 and 4.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is it so difficult to interpret this chapter?
2. Does Paul speak disparagingly of the Jerusalem Apostles in Gal_2:2; Gal_2:6; Gal_2:9?
3. Why was the situation concerning Titus such an important issue in connection with the Jerusalem Council?
4. Who were the false teachers? What did they infiltrate? What was their purpose?
5. Why was Peter's refusal to eat with the Gentiles so condemning in light of Paul's understanding of the gospel?
6. Define the word "justification."
7. Define the word "faith."
8. How are Gal_2:19-20 related to their context?