Galatians – Week 3 – Day 3

READ 

Galatians 2:11-13 

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13 As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 

This passage reveals that Paul needed to confront Peter for his inconsistency in teaching one thing and living differently. Peter had no problem eating with Gentile believers at first. Later when some Jews arrived, their peer pressure caused Peter to no longer eat with the Gentiles. This group taught good works had to be added to believing in Jesus for true salvation. Notice that some Jews were led astray by Peter’s hypocrisy. Strangely, even Barnabas was led astray who had been listening to Paul’s teaching that circumcision had nothing to do with salvation. 

REFLECT 

Think about how serious it is to teach one thing and live another. Is your life consistent with what you believe? 

RESPOND 

Pray about your life and the need to consistently live what you believe and teach. Be sure not to teach something you are not personally living yourself.