I’ve heard professors explain to student preachers that there are some biblical principles over which you can “pat the pulpit.” These “patable” points are helpful, even important, but may be less central to the faith. But there are other truths—foundational truths, essential truths—that should compel you to “pound the pulpit.”

In today’s passage, Paul is pounding the proverbial pulpit on the doctrine of justification. In verses 17– 18, Paul may be continuing his direct rebuke to Cephas (Peter). Or he may be providing his Galatian readers with further commentary on that account. Regardless, he continues the theme of justification by faith in Christ alone.

Paul points out the fault in Peter’s hypocritical treatment of the Antioch Gentiles (vv. 12–13). Through Christ’s death, both Jews and Gentiles were justified and declared right before God. Therefore, Jewish believers, who lived in fellowship and community with Gentile believers, would not bring disgrace to the name of Christ, would they? Paul answers his own question in this way: “Absolutely not!” (v. 17).

Paul was passionate about laying a foundation of unity in the early church. He feared that Peter and others—if they rejected the Gentile Christians or insisted on their circumcision—would rebuild the walls of division and slavery to the Law that Christ’s death had torn down (v. 18).

Paul said that not only should justification in Christ bring unity between Jewish and Gentile believers but it should change the entire way we live. Death to the Law means a new life for God (v. 19). Being “crucified with Christ” means dying to self and sin and shame (v. 20). It means relinquishing a lifestyle that depends on human accomplishments. It means living a new life by faith—through the power of Jesus’ sacrificial love (v. 20).