Galatians 2:20

• Paul's good news about Jesus (that we do not need to follow Jewish laws to be saved) does not mean people will just do whatever wrong things they want (2:17). This is because lawlessness (ignoring or disobeying God's commands) is a response of those who are not redeemed. A redeemed Christian has been crucified with Christ. See also Colossians 2:11–14, 20–23. A Christian has left behind the old self, which tried to earn merit by following the law (compare Romans 7:4–6).

• I no longer live, but Christ lives in me: Christians have experienced Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:1–14). They have new hearts (see Jeremiah 31:31–34; 32:38–41; Ezekiel 11:19–20; 36:24–31). These new hearts come through the Spirit's power within them (see Romans 8:9–11; Ephesians 3:16–19; Colossians 1:27; 3:1–17).

• The life I live in the body: Christianity does not say the body is evil or that we must leave this world to have fellowship with God. Instead, by trusting in the Son of God, we fulfill God’s purposes for our lives.

• who loved me and gave Himself up for me: Christ’s self-giving love makes new life possible (Galatians 1:4; Romans 8:32–39; 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17).

Some false teachers were spreading false ideas about Paul's good news. They likely argued that if people did not have to follow the Jewish laws, they would just do whatever sinful things they wanted. Jesus would then be seen as leading people into sin (2:17). Paul explains how this is not true. Those who trust in Jesus receive strength from the Holy Spirit to live holy lives that honor God (see 5:13–26).

• When Peter and the other Jewish believers stopped eating with non-Jewish believers, they were sending the wrong message. Their actions suggested that believing in Jesus was not enough and that people also needed to follow Jewish laws to be truly accepted by God. Paul strongly argues against this. He explained that we are made right with God only through his kindness (grace) when we believe in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9).

• We cannot tell exactly where Paul's public words to Peter end and his message to the Galatians begins (see study note on Galatians 2:16). When Paul corrected Peter, he was also correcting the Galatians (see 3:1).

In Antioch, Peter and others went against their own beliefs and changed the good news about Jesus. This event is not mentioned in the book of Acts. Paul corrected Peter, showing that Paul's role as an apostle was independent of Jerusalem and true to the good news about Jesus.

The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish customs) came to Galatia. They preached that both faith and circumcision were necessary. They questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and tried to discredit his message. Paul defended his authority by showing that past events proved his message was the true good news.

Some people were against Paul and questioned whether he was a true apostle. They did not believe he was honest and did not think he had the right to be a leader in the church. So Paul begins his letter by explaining that he really was an apostle with authority from God.