In studying different resources on Galatians, i ran across an article by Doug Wilson (one of my favorites) and found it very helpful and encouraging. I’d like to share the following excerpt with you. His exposition here covers Galatians 2:16-21. You can read the whole article here.
What is meant by “the faith of Jesus Christ”? In v. 16, we find a striking phrase (which is repeated twice). We know that men are not justified by the works of Judaic law-keeping, but “by the faith of Jesus Christ.” We have believed in Jesus “that we might be justified by the faith of Christ.” Now is this our faith, or Jesus’ faith? Our faith is mentioned, but our believing in Jesus is so that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus. This is in contrast to being justified “by the works of the law.” The reason for that is because “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” By the works of the law everybody goes to hell. Note well, then, that our justification depends on the faith of Jesus, Jesus believing. Our faith is the instrument which unites us with Christ, and it is in union with Christ (and thereby with His faith) that we find our justification. In the imputation of the active and passive obedience of Christ to us, we do not just receive “His actions.” Everything Jesus said and did is imputed to us, along with His motives for saying and doing them. The imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us cannot be accomplished unless His faith is imputed to us as well — because Christ’s righteousness was not independent of His faith.
But there are some odd objections. In order to be united with Christ in His death and resurrection, both Jews and Gentiles had to acknowledge that they were sinners. We are united with sin on the cross so that sin might there die, and that we might be subsequently raised. Does this promote sin? (v. 17). Of course not. Always remember the importance of resurrection; we include both destruction and rebuilding (v. 18). The law kills and we are raised, together with the law (v. 19).
This is the key to understanding Paul’s theology of justification. Union with Christ begins with crucifixion (v. 20). Nevertheless, life follows, and it is the life of Christ which follows. This life of Christ includes His faith. “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.” How could this frustrate the grace of God? It is the grace of God (v. 21). Righteousness does not come by the law. It does not come by fencing the Table. If we must fence the Table against fellow believers, then Christ died in vain (v. 21).
(Doug Wilson, http://bit.ly/qhUkJJ, 7th – 9th paragraphs.)
