Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia addressed the problem concerning influence of Judaizing teachers. Their doctrine suggested that to be justified, one must observe the Law of Moses. The apostle defended his apostleship in Christ so the Galatians would respect the authority of his message. This section of Galatians serves a two-fold purpose: (1) By referring to a time when he rebuked another apostle, Paul showed once again that his apostleship was as valid as the others’, and (2) the instance to which he referred considered the same problem in Galatia, namely, the idea that justification is not possible without the keeping of the Law of Moses.

There was a time when Paul confronted Peter in public concerning a sin which he committed. Peter knew the truth concerning justification apart from the Law, and lived in fellowship with the Gentiles. However, when Jewish Christians who believed in the necessary observance of the Law came, Peter played the hypocrite, withdrawing from the Gentiles, and as such, implied they must observe the Law themselves. Even Paul’s close companion, Barnabas, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24), was carried away by Peter’s bad example.

Paul withstood Peter to the face because he had deviated from the straight and narrow path of the gospel. He spoke to Peter “before them all” about how his actions were hypocritical, thus sinful. Peter was a Jew by birth, who left the Jewish faith for Christ. When he understood the gospel, Peter “liv[ed] in the manner of Gentiles.” However, his actions compelled the Gentiles to live as a Jew, contrary to his previous behavior – he played the hypocrite. The reason Peter and Paul, both Jews, left the Law of Moses and joined themselves with Christ by faith was because they knew they couldn’t be justified by the Law. Therefore, Peter’s actions were inconsistent with the truth of the gospel which he preached and believed.

NOTE: It is important we understand two things from this passage: (1) When sin is public, and therefore influences others, it is not only appropriate, but necessary that the rebuke be public. (2) People observe our actions, whether they be of the body of Christ, or of the world. Inconsistency between our actions, and the truth we believe and follow can greatly and negatively affect others, and we will be held accountable.