What does "Christ promotes sin" mean, and how should we understand this concept? Setting the Scene Galatians 2 finds Paul challenging Peter over withdrawing from Gentile believers. Paul’s point: when anyone—Jew or Gentile—trusts Christ alone for justification, the Law can no longer brand that person “righteous.” By Law-standards we still look like “sinners.” So Paul asks rhetorically: “But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are also found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Certainly not!” (Galatians 2:17) Why Paul Raises the Question • Some accused Paul of teaching that abandoning the Mosaic Law meant Christ led people into sin. • If Jewish believers ate with Gentiles (ignoring food laws), critics argued Christ promoted wrongdoing. • Paul anticipates the charge and rejects it outright: Christ never authorizes sin. What “Christ Promotes Sin” Does NOT Mean • It does not mean Christ excuses or encourages breaking God’s moral standards (Romans 6:1–2). • It does not mean grace nullifies the Law’s moral truth (Romans 3:31). • It does not mean believers can live however they like and claim divine approval (1 John 3:6). What the Verse DOES Teach 1. Christ exposes our sin, He doesn’t cause it. • “Through the Law I died to the Law so that I might live to God.” (Galatians 2:19) • The Law reveals we’re sinners; Christ reveals the way out, not further in (Romans 7:7). 2. Union with Christ moves believers from Law-based righteousness to faith-based righteousness. • “The righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11) • Trusting Christ leaves no room to trust self-effort. The perceived “lawlessness” is really freedom from legalism (Galatians 5:1). 3. Grace equips us to truly obey. • “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) • Christ’s Spirit empowers holy living, proving He is the remedy for sin, not its promoter (Galatians 5:16-18). Further Cross-References • 2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ became sin “so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” • Titus 2:11-12 — Grace “trains us to renounce ungodliness.” • 1 Peter 2:24 — He bore our sins “so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Living Out the Truth • Reject any notion that freedom in Christ licenses sin; freedom releases us to love and obey. • Anchor assurance in Christ’s finished work, not in law-keeping. • Walk by the Spirit daily, letting His fruit silence claims that grace encourages sin (Galatians 5:22-23). |
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