"If I build again those things which I destroyed..."
Text: Galatians 2:18a
A STRONG JEWISH BACKGROUND
The apostle Paul had a very strong Jewish background. This was shared very candidly:-
1. In a defence he made
a) Before a hostile audience in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-24).
b) Before the Sanhedrin Council convened by the commander Claudia Lysias (Acts 22:30; 23:1-9)
c) Before King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-23).
2. In his epistle to the Philippians (Philippians 3:1-6)
REFLECTION ABOUT HIS PAST
Paul reflected upon his past and he had this to say.
For if I build again those things which I destroyed,
I make myself a transgressor.
Galatians 2:18
1. “If I build again”
a) Paul had advanced greatly in the Jewish system prior to his conversion (Philippians 3:1-6).
b) Would he build again on the old system?
The answer was an emphatic “No!”
2. “Those things which I destroyed”
a) His past knowledge.
b) His advancement in the Jewish hierarchical system.
c) He literally “destroyed” his religious career path.
3. Were he to build again
a) Paul would have remained a transgressor.
b) He would not have obtained justification by Christ.
c) His sins and all with that… his guilt… would have remained.
4. Paul’s reflection in his letter to the Philippians
a) He had totally discounted his past “success”.
b) He chose knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ instead.
c) He just wanted to pursue the knowledge of Christ and be found in His righteousness.
d) He also wanted to discover the power of Christ in his quest for knowledge.
e) He also desired to share in the sufferings of Christ.