There Ain't Room For Both of Us In This Town.

Galatians 2:17–18 (NIV)

¹⁷ “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸ If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

“Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren’t perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin . . .?” (Galatians 2:17–18, The Message) 

Luther understands Paul's argument like this.  If we come to Christ by faith and trust in His justifying mercy --AND STILL FIND OURSELVES TO BE SINNERS -- then the false apostles are teaching taht we need to go back to the Law to be corrected.  Then Christ is actually doing the job of the Law -- revealing sin; and the Law is actually doing the job of Christ -- justifying.  "One of these two must needs be false. Either we are not justified by Christ, or we are not justified by the law." [1] 

If Christ does not justify then He is a minister of sin.  Now, Luther takes that as a Hebrew euphemism. "Now a minister of sin is nothing else but a lawgiver, or a schoolmaster of the law, which teacheth good works and charity, and that a man must suffer the cross and afflictions, and follow the example of Christ and of the saints." [1]  For example in 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV), Paul writes, "⁶ He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."  Gospel preachers are ministers of the New Covenant.  If preachers are going to preach Law to be saved, then they are ministers of the Old Covenant -- ministers of death -- ministers of sin. "We must conclude therefore, that either we are justified by Christ, or else that we are made sinners, culpable and guilty through him." [1]

You cannot mix Law and Grace.  To do so makes Christ the condemner and Moses the savior. "If we being justified in Christ, are yet found sinners, and cannot be justified but by another mean than Christ, that is to wit, by the law, then cannot Christ justify us, but he only accuseth and condemneth us: and so consequently it followeth, that Christ died in vain . . .." [1]

Can we do that?  Paul answers: “. . . Absolutely not!” (Galatians 2:17b, NIV); may it not be (γένοιτο, ghin·om·ahee, God forbid!) "Wherefore Paul separateth Christ far from Moses. Let Moses then tarry on the earth; let him be the schoolmaster of the letter, and exactor of the law; let him torment and crucify sinners. But the believers, saith Paul, have another schoolmaster in their conscience: not Moses, but Christ, which hath abolished the law and sin, hath overcome the wrath of God, and destroyed death. He biddeth us that labour and are oppressed with all manner of calamities, to come unto him. Therefore when we fly unto him, Moses with his law vanisheth away . . .." [1]

In verse 18, then Paul says that if preach such things as the false apostles is makes him a transgressor. He has labored to position the Law in its rightful place, i.e., overcome by grace.  To rebuild the Law would make him a liar and deceiver. “If I was “trying to be good,” I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan.” (Galatians 2:18, The Message).

 "For when the new guest Christ Jesus cometh into the new house, there to dwell alone, Moses the old inhabiter must give place unto him, and depart some whither else." [1] 

Father, the brilliance of Paul as an arbiter of wisdom is a shadow compared to Your all-encompassing wisdom, knowledge and Truth.  You have left no room for error.  We are either saved by grace through faith which is a gift -- or we are not.  Grace cannot coexist with self-effort, good works and Law-abiding.  To do so makes Christ grace-less, savior-less, and hope-less.  Thanks be unto God who has not left us with this option.  Law has been evicted.  Jesus occupies the house. Christ leads us to holiness.  Holiness does not lead us to Christ.  Hope lives.  Peace endures.  Christ is magnified.  Joy is restored.  Praise is authentic and pure.  Thank you Lord.

______________________________

1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 2:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.