Bible Study on Galatians 2:20 ("Crucified with Christ")
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (NIV)
Welcome to the Bible Study Guide for Galatians 2:20, which leverages questions from the CHARA Bible Study Guide when studying this verse. Below are the questions the Chara team chose to ask, in the order they chose to ask them, but feel free to use other questions or change up the order as you dive into this passage. For ANSWERS from the Chara team on these questions, check out the video below.
RESEARCH
Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have when you read Galatians 2:20 more than once? For example, you may be asking “What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? Am I really supposed to physically die to gain Christ?”
AUTHOR
Person/Purpose: Who was the author of Galatians? What was their purpose in writing Galatians? Why was he writing to the Galatians? (Hint: You can find information about the author and their purpose in the intro to the book of Galatians in a Study Bible. You can also see the author identified in Galatians 1:1-2, and find out the purpose by reading the entire book or from verses like Galatians 1:3-9, 2:11-16).
CONTEXT
Immediate: What is the theme or main idea found in the surrounding paragraph(s). (Hint: start by reading Galatians 2:11-14). Why are Peter’s actions - not wanting to hang out with Gentile because he feared what the Jewish leaders would think - causing a reaction from Paul?
HISTORY
How would the original audience have heard this message? (Hint: Read Acts 10-11:18 to see Peter’s first interaction with a Gentile and the beginning of his understanding that Jewish law wasn’t required). How does understanding Peter’s past experience help you understand Paul’s public call out of Peter and his actions? Make sure to take note of Acts 10:34.
CONTEXT
Immediate: What is the theme or main idea found in the surrounding paragraph(s)? (Hint: continue from where you left off, and read Galatians 2:15-3:14). How does that help determine what Galatians 2:20 means?
AUTHOR
Patterns: What is highlighted through the use of repetition? What words does Paul often repeat in Galatians 2:15-21? How does this tie to Paul’s purpose in writing the letter to the Galatians?
RESEARCH
Original Language/Translations: What does “justified” mean in the original Greek language? Does another Bible translation (or version) add perspective or clarity on what the original language was trying to communicate? (Hint: check out a Hebrew/Greek lexicon, such as blueletterbible.org or biblehub.com or check out the New Living Translations or Amplified Bible)
CONTEXT
Book: Is the theme repeated throughout the book? (Hint: for example Galatians 5:16-24, taking clear notice of verse 24)
Bible: Does my interpretation hold true throughout the rest of the Bible? (Hint: use cross references to uncover verses like Romans 6:5-14, Ephesians 2:4-7, or Philippians 3:7-10)
AUTHOR
Speech: Notice in Romans 6:5-14, Ephesians 2:4-7, and Galatians 2:14-21, it’s Paul writing. He keeps referring to being “crucified with Christ” “dead to sin” or “alive to Christ.” What is the point Paul is trying to make through figurative language or symbolism?
RESEARCH
Resources: What insights do you learn from Biblical scholars provided in Study Bibles, commentaries, and credible online resources?
Paraphrase: How would you rewrite the message of the passage into your own words? (Hint: if you get stuck, take a look at the New Living Translation or The Message for inspiration)
APPLY
Pray: “Lord, what do you want me to learn and how should I apply this to my life?”
Reflect: What specific questions do you have upon further reflection of the passage? Is there a verse that you’d like to memorize to speak truth to your heart and mind? (Consider memorizing Galatians 2:20, or other verses you ran across during your study)
Join the Chara Project team as they study Galatians 2:20 and see their ANSWERS to the questions asked from the CHARA Bible Study Guide.