Galatians 2:20 ESV
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul is expressing a profound truth about the Christian life and his own personal experience. To understand the verse fully, it's helpful to look at its broader context within the letter to the Galatians.
In the preceding verses, Paul is addressing the issue of justification by faith versus justification by works of the law. He argues that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by observing the works of the Jewish law. He uses his own experience as an example to illustrate this point.
Paul begins by saying, "I have been crucified with Christ." This statement signifies that in a spiritual sense, Paul identifies himself with Christ in his death on the cross. This doesn't mean that Paul physically died with Christ, but rather that his old self, his sinful nature, was put to death through the work of Christ on the cross. Paul emphasizes the idea of dying to self, surrendering his own will and desires to Christ.
The next part of the verse, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me," underscores the transformation that takes place in the life of a believer. When we accept Christ, our old way of life is replaced by the indwelling presence of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Our lives are no longer driven by our own desires and ambitions but by the life and power of Christ working within us.
Finally, Paul concludes with, "And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This highlights the ongoing journey of faith that believers embark on after accepting Christ. We live out our lives in this world, still in our physical bodies, but guided and empowered by faith in Christ, who sacrificed himself out of love for us.
The relevance of this verse to us today lies in its timeless truth about the Christian life. It speaks to the foundational principles of dying to self, living in Christ, and walking by faith. As believers, we are called to continually surrender our lives to Christ, allowing his life to be lived out through us. This verse reminds us of the profound reality of our union with Christ and challenges us to live in light of that reality, relying on his strength and grace in every aspect of our lives.
