Chapter 2

2:15  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

We who are

Paul here quotes from his words to Peter when he withstood him at Antioch to show the Galatians that, whatever the legalists may have pretended, Peter and he were in perfect accord doctrinally. Paul appealed to the common belief of Peter and himself as a rebuke of Peter's inconsistent practice.

sinners Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

we seek

That is, "we" Jews. Romans 3:19-23 . The passage might be thus paraphrased: If we Jews, in seeking to be justified by faith in Christ, take our places as mere sinners, like the Gentiles, is it therefore Christ who makes us sinners? By no means. It is by putting ourselves again under law after seeking justification through Christ, that we act as if we were still unjustified sinners, seeking to become righteous through law-works. Galatians 5:1-4 .

sinners Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

2:18  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

transgressor

Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

not I

See note, (See Scofield "Ephesians 4:24") .

2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

grace Grace (in salvation). vs. Galatians 5:4 ; Romans 3:24 . (See Scofield "John 1:17") .

righteousness (See Scofield "Romans 10:10") .