Bible Study - Galatians 2

S - We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 

Galatians 2:15–16 ESV

O - Commentary:

In this verse, one of the most important in the epistle, the word justified occurs for the first time. It is a legal term, borrowed from the law courts and means “to declare righteous.” Its opposite is “to condemn.” But since people are condemned sinners and God is holy, how can people be justified? In answer, the apostle made a general declaration that negatively man is not justified by observing the Law, but positively, justification is by faith in Jesus Christ. This is a strong affirmation of Paul, Peter, and the rest—introduced by We … know. It is followed by a statement in which Paul explained that he had put this doctrine to the test and validated it in his own experience (v. 16b). Finally, in verse 16c the apostle reaffirmed that justification is by faith and not by works

Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 595.

A - Justified. That one word carries the whole gospel. We were guilty. Condemned. No defense to offer. Then Jesus bled, and the debt got paid — not reduced, paid. Put your faith in Him, and that blood covers your sin. You're not just forgiven. You're declared righteous. Case closed.

And here's what should stop us in our tracks: that access isn't reserved for anyone. Doesn't matter your nationality. Doesn't matter your race. Doesn't matter your gender. Strip away every label we use to sort ourselves, and you find the same thing underneath — a person who needs a Savior. We're not as different as we think. We all need the same Jesus.

R —Father, You are Lord over every line we draw between ourselves. Forgive us for the times we've used our differences as an excuse to keep our distance. Open our eyes to see the value You placed in every person You made. And Lord, thank You — thank You for the relationship with Jesus that made all of this possible. We didn't earn it. We just received it.