Having seen the structure of Gal. 2: 15 - 4: 12 as a whole, we return to the personal

testimony of Paul, which he made at Antioch and recorded in Gal. 2: 15-20.

It will be necessary to examine with some care both the terms and the arguments

which the Apostle used, for in this most personal testimony is enshrined the "Truth of the

Gospel", together with the question of the Apostle's own personal integrity which was so

much at stake in those early days of witness. First of all let us consider the general

outline of the subject.

A | 15. Not sinners of the Gentiles.

B | 16-17. | a | "Knowing." Justification by faith asserted.

b | "Believed." Justification by faith. Gospel.

a | "For." Justification by faith confirmed by O.T.

b | "While." Justification by faith sought.

A | 17. We ourselves are found sinners.

B | 17-20. | Peter's action. |

a | Is Christ minister of sin?

b | God forbid.

b | If build again.

a | I make myself transgressor.

Paul's testimony. |

c | I, through law, to law died.

d | Dead to law.

e | Live unto God.

c | I, crucified with Christ.

d | Christ liveth in me.

e | I live by faith of Son of God.

The Apostle approaches his argument by way of privilege. He contrasts "Jews by

nature" with "sinners of the Gentiles".

Israel were called "the natural branches" of the Olive, and the inclusion of the

Gentile was compared to a grafting a tree wild "by nature" and "contrary to nature"

(Rom. 11: 21, 24).  The Gentile is referred to as having "not the law by nature"

(Rom. 2: 14), and as "the uncircumcision by nature" (2: 27).