Galatians 2:20

Context

Paul recounts how he rebuked Peter at Antioch when Peter, who had been eating with Gentile believers, withdrew for fear of those who had come from Jerusalem (2:11–14). Paul then declares that a person is justified not by the works of the law but by faith in Christ (v. 16), and he says, "For I through the law am dead to the law" (v. 19). Verse 20 expresses that death and new life as a personal confession, and verse 21 concludes with the statement that if righteousness came by the law, then Christ died in vain.

Interpretation

• As a confession of union: On this reading, the believer is united with Christ in his death and resurrection, so that the old self dies and the believer lives a new life (Romans 6:3–6). The Reformed tradition regards "union with Christ" as the central concept that binds justification and sanctification together.
• In the context of justification: Because the surrounding context concerns the law and justification, this reading holds that the verse speaks first of a change in status: the life lived under the law has ended, and a new life under grace has begun. The Lutheran tradition emphasizes this point.
• As a basis for the life of holiness: The Wesleyan tradition and the Holiness churches frequently cite the statement that the self has died and Christ now lives as a foundation for a life directed toward entire sanctification, that is, holiness of heart.

Debates and Issues

The Greek phrase rendered "faith in the Son of God" (pistis tou huiou tou theou) can also be translated "the faith (faithfulness) of the Son of God." The former rendering places the emphasis on the believer's faith in Christ, while the latter emphasizes Christ's faithfulness in his obedience even unto the cross. This pistis Christou debate also extends to passages such as Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:22. Korean translations, including the New Korean Revised Version, generally follow the former rendering.

In the Korean Church

The verse is widely used as a theme verse for discipleship training, retreats, and services of consecration, and a number of worship songs take it as their lyrics.

Related Passages

• Romans 6:3–6
• Galatians 2:16
• Galatians 6:14
• Colossians 3:3–4