First, Paul rebukes Cephas' hypocrisy (11-18). Cephas (Peter) had gone to Antioch to fellowship with the Gentile believers there. However, some men, who wanted Gentile believers to follow Jewish law, arrived. Then Cephas began to distance himself from the Gentiles. The supremacy of Jesus, his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, destroys any human barrier between believers. All are justified the same and by faith in Christ. Cephas' hypocrisy was not merely a tactless act. It was an affront to the gospel. Paul publicly rebuked him. Second, dead to the law; live for God (19-21). The law reveals our sinfulness but it cannot save us. Paul died to the law so that he might live for God. His life was no longer his own but joined together with Jesus. Paul had been crucified with Christ. Jesus alone had given him life. Paul lived only by faith in the Son of God; so must we.
Application: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving sinners like us and giving yourself up for us. Help me to live by faith in you every day.
One Word: Christ lives in me