2:21

In this verse, Paul concluded his rebuke of Peter and the other Jewish believers who separated themselves from the non-Jews. He said that their actions implied that Christ died for nothing.

But Christ’s death did accomplish its purpose. Therefore the actions of Peter and the other men were wrong. Paul refused to reject God’s grace as they had done. He used “I do not” as an indirect way of rebuking Peter for what he did.

2:21a

I do not set aside the grace of God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set aside means to “reject” or “refuse.”

The word grace means “kindness,” “generosity” or “favor” that is shown to someone who does not deserve it. This word also occurs in 2:9a. See grace, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

Paul implied that Peter had rejected God’s grace. Peter did that when he separated himself from the non-Jews. When he did this, he acted as if it were necessary to obey the Jewish laws in order for God to accept him. That was rejecting grace as the means of being made righteous.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I don’t reject God’s kindness. (God’s Word)
-or-
I don’t turn my back on God’s gift of undeserved grace. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I do not refuse the grace of God ?like those who return to obeying the law?

2:21b

For: This part of 2:21 explains why Paul does not reject the grace of God. The Greek introduces this explanation with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For.

Some other ways to begin this explanation are:

?I do not reject the grace of God? , because
-or-

?I do not do this? , because

In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction. In other languages, it will be more natural to change the order of 2:21b–c and 2:21a. For example:

b If righteousness were through the law, c then Christ died for no purpose. a ?But righteousness is not through the law. It is through grace.? So I do not reject the grace of God.

if righteousness comes through the law: This clause means “if a person could become righteous through/by obeying the law of Moses.”

The word if introduces a statement that is not true. Paul used this “if” sentence to show the consequences of Peter’s action. Peter’s actions implied that a person could become right with God by means of obeying the law.

Some other ways to translate this sentence are:

if a person could become righteous by obeying the law
-or-
if obeying the law could make a person right with God—? but it cannot?
-or-
suppose righteousness could be gained/found through the law

righteousness: The word righteousness refers to the character trait of being “upright,” “blameless” or “just.” A person can never be made right with God by obeying the law.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

right with God
-or-
acceptable to God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
uprightness/blamelessness in the sight of God

See righteous in the Glossary for more information.

2:21c

Christ died for nothing: In this context, the phrase for nothing means “for no purpose.” This clause states the consequence that would result if 2:21b were true. Since it is impossible to be made right with God by means of obeying the law, then it is equally not true that Christ died for nothing.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

then Christ’s death was pointless (God’s Word)
-or-
then that would that make Christ’s death worthless! ?But is was not worthless.?
-or-
it was useless for Christ to die (Contemporary English Version)

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