Justified By Faith

"We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:15,16 - King James Version)

Peter’s behavior gave the impression that faith was not enough. Those observing Peter might think that works of the law were required to be completely right before God.

Paul argues that if the law could justify a person with God then faith in Christ was not required. However, if Peter and Paul who were Jewish had believed in Jesus, this demonstrated that works of the law were not required. Either the law justifies or faith, the two cannot be mixed. Peter believed this, but his actions were giving the wrong message.