Galatians 2:11-14

Can’t we all just get along? Let’s be honest: not many of us like confrontation. However, the gospel demands that we graciously confront other believers who are not walking in alignment with its message. Overcome by the fear of man, the Apostle Peter had to be confronted by Paul himself because of his behavior, which had severe implications for others and was incongruent with the gospel message. It’s not that Peter’s teaching of the gospel had erred, but his conduct contradicted what he knew to be true, and so he stood “condemned”

(Galatians 2:11). This passage records for us one of the great conflicts in the New Testament. Here, two leading

apostles square off in open conflict. This conflict was necessary to teach us not only about biblical confrontation but also about biblical justification.