What Did the Gospel Mean to Paul? | Galatians

Why did the ‘new life in Jesus’ mean so much to Paul personally? For the apostle Paul, the Gospel is about a debt of love that only love can repay. Prof. N.T. Wright reads Galatians 2:19-20 to explore how Messiah faithfulness means new identity.
Tell us in the comments how you see Messiah Jesus living in and through you!
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Welcome to Reading Scripture Together, a new series of weekly devotions from N.T. Wright Online. Reading scripture in public is not just about feeding our own spirits and minds, but about rehearsing the mighty acts of God for God's glory. Join N.T. Wright to think together online about what God has done, and is doing, among us.
New Reading Scripture Together videos arrive every Monday. Make sure you like the video and subscribe to our channel so you never miss a single one.

[@rhondarockhound622]

I so want this to be a universal love extending to my family and loved ones, who reject the Christian religion, because the gospel sounds like bad news to them. It’s like the seed that we are planting here in the west has been damaged. How can we recover the gospels original beauty and open their eyes to see it. But it’s not only that. They just look at me - a broken selfish Christian and think what hypocrisy! If only I could die and be raised a new changed person. But I am in a constant battle. The only thing I have learned - is to be humble and sympathetic to all those who struggle. And to not give up, just wake up, be born again, and start over, new each morning.

[@deforrestphelps2715]

Amen!

[@christophertaylor3150]

May God bless and encourage you

[@patrickhogan7367]

You _have_ died and been raised a new person ! Continue to explore that new life in the ways that you are currently doing, and you will increasingly understand and identify with the new life in you. Also do what you can to be in fellowship with other redeemed believers.

[@duncescotus2342]

Prayers of softening of hearts to your loved ones. We can stand on this promise of Acts 16: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your house." (v. 31) It's not often affirmed, especially in our Reformed post-individualistic Enlightened space, but if we recall the Passover (which know is fulfilled by the Lamb of God), all those within the household which had the blood applied to the door were spared the wrath of the LORD. I take this to include my family, despite their resistance. They will come along, soon.

[@dougwebster4954]

Rhonda, love changed Saul the Pharisee into Paul the follower of Jesus, devout in both personas, but lost in the law in the former and found in love in the latter. Paul's transformation occurred in his relentless pursuit of life in Christ, often times the result of his own choices to be with Jesus and to live like Jesus. May you not only know you are loved as proven by Jesus giving His life for you, but also becoming more loving in the habits and practices of Jesus, less broken, less selfish, less old you, more new you. Your family and friends will see who Jesus is making you to be and they will want to know how you became so. That is my prayer for you dear sister in Christ.

[@mareefrost6995]

I noticed a difference in the translation of verse 20. I am used to reading ‘I live by faith in the Son of God’. The version from the Bible for Everyone translates this to, ‘I live within the faithfulness of the Son of God’. This translation makes more sense to me and it draws me into the love for which Christ demonstrated. I also appreciated Toms closing comment. ‘That love which reaches out from the Cross of the Messiah, is that love which defines us as a people characterised by the answering love which we call faith’. I will meditate on that today as I think about my faith, as answering to Gods love for me. Thank You. May God Bless you, Tom Wright.

[@NTWrightOnline]

We love this translation Prof. Wright gives. So helpful. We have a YouVersion reading plan called Answering Faith that explores this idea further in Galatians!

[@franciscafazzo3460]

It's a wonderful translation it talks really about the Fidelity of Christ I think the Greek allows it quite easily the faithfulness of Christ demonstrated I thought Tom Thomas vilify and some of the reformed community but I I am set a 5 advice teaching thank you so much friend

[@mikeanderson7955]

I greatly appreciated Prof. Wright's statement - the past does not define me - it is Christ's love that defines me (paraphrase) Awesome!!! My new and permanent identity is one who is loved by Jesus.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Amen!

[@fernandogrejo]

Loved it!! "I am loved, therefore i am" that was beautiful

[@NTWrightOnline]

It is comforting to be so loved by the Lord. Beautiful, indeed! --NTW Online Team

[@drmanojkumarkhatore4476]

Life in *the faithfulness of the Son of God* who gave himself for me.

[@wholebodyandspirit]

Thank you, dear brother in Christ! You are a blessing. Your firm identity in Christ brings tremendous beauty, love, and truth. P.S. I love your voice! God has blessed you with such a gorgeous voice. Thank you for sharing one of your many gifts.

[@bradbrown2168]

I love the introduction : But first we need some tea. So British! A great tradition!

[@jaylinn416]

I love these bite sized teaching. I can check in and listen to these every day - as often as I want! Wow. Thank you!!!

[@NTWrightOnline]

Glad you like them! Join us for new content every Monday.

[@losik01]

"Answering love to God is faith"-❤

[@michaelkistner6286]

Your contrast of Descartes and Paul reminded me of cognitive scientist John Vervaeke. In his treatment of agape Vervaeke argues that this love is what transforms the potential human personhood of an infant into the actualized personhood of a fully formed human being. "I" live because of the agape given me by my parents and others. My identity itself is a product of Love. Paul's new identity being formed by a new experience of such love makes perfect sense.

[@glyndavies8061]

A reassuring message. Thankyou. I love that phrase about us having a debt of love which only love can repay. And Paul's assurance that while we may live in the flesh we are no longer defined by the flesh.

[@NTWrightOnline]

That's one of our favourite little phrases too!

[@shalomsister]

Oh my gosh, I am literally crying. I was amazed and blessed by the way you explained the passage. You made it so clear and breathtakingly beautiful that it made me cry. I am struggling currently with my carnal nature and I was so blessed when you said I am not defined by my flesh anymore. I struggle with making that my reality. I immediately subscribed to you and set up all notifications. Thank you for this teaching. God bless you!😊🕊🔥💖✝️💕❤️

[@NTWrightOnline]

We are so glad you’re here! Tears and struggles are welcome as we all share in these experiences and wrestle with working things out together.

[@shalomsister]

@@NTWrightOnline Thank you sir! Blessings be upon you and yours in Jesus's mighty name I pray!😊🕊🔥💖✝️💕❤️

[@joanjamison8300]

The beautiful reality of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and His amazing love and grace. Lord help us live this out in our daily walk.

[@GiftMtukwa]

Thanks Prof Wright for teaching so eloquently

[@barbaraducasse4718]

So thrilled to have found this channel.

[@NTWrightOnline]

We are so glad you're here with us!

[@looking4busbus]

Witness to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to you. Long live the King - Theophilus

[@mandan3899]

We belong to him,Jesus. He owns us.

[@davidn3843]

Yes! Better still, we are no longer slaves, we are heirs of God, Sons! Joint heirs with Christ. Adopted into the Godhead. We are hid with Christ, in God. What an absolutely wonderful place that we have, permanently, been delivered into. Christ Himself. In Him we truly are complete. To think that He'll never leave us or forsake us. He will always leave the 99 to retrieve that one! ❤ Yes, indeed, we belong to Jesus. Blessings and kindest regards David from Australia. 🌏 🙄☝️

[@gregrose1360]

I appreciate the stone mason/cathedral analogy to our calling. Thank you.

[@paulshoh4327]

Amen 🙏 “Answering Love is the Faith.”

[@shriyanidemel9401]

What a wonderful Way to live. Thank you Rev. Wright for this defining Truth.

[@marktaylor4496]

Excellent Tom! You always articulate it so well! Thank you!

[@paullatif4092]

I love the statement ~ "I am loved therefore I am" !! 🎶 🎻 🎊

[@igbagbogbemid.oyedeji5906]

Great exposition Sir. Love from Nigeria

[@Andantalas]

"I am loved, therefore I am."

[@kparks8183]

Thank you for making time for us with scripture … and a cup of tea!! God is good!

[@rachelmarks796]

Beautiful 💕

[@tedclemens4093]

Love "having tea" with this man and his thoughts! Thank you. But "identity" is SO shallow. This passage is far more profound, summing up the dynamic shift from one kingdom to another as expressed by Jesus. So we follow Christ into his death. And being done with the futile chasing after righteousness through the law, proceed in a new life by faith with the inescapable grace that results.

[@toddman6049]

Tom the response of love back so simply put!

[@AndrewsArt78]

This is just what I needed to hear. Thank you!

[@NTWrightOnline]

We're so glad it brought what you needed! Thank you for sharing your feedback. --NTW Online Team

[@diggi3247]

Really loved this 😢... what wretched sinners we are, yet God gave it all for us

[@davidn3843]

Wonderful and comforting, Gospel Truth. Thank you. I love the book of Galatians. The freedom resulting from being dead to the Law, and the freedom we now have in His Grace, is truly remarkable. We have been crucified with Christ. God has dealt a permanent blow to any accusations from ourselves or others. In Christ we definitely are complete. Only in Him, is the rest we all seek. Our death with Christ, should settle our conscience, clearing the way for that tsunami of God's Grace and Love, to cover us. For I don't frustrate the Grace of God, for if righteousness could come by the Law, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21. Jesus certainly was the lamb of God who takes AWAY the sins of the world.❤❤❤ Blessings and kindest regards David from Australia. 🌏 🙄☝️

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you, David. We join in your joy for the incredible gift of God's grace!

[@sherrywebber4013]

So we'll taught sir!! It is that passage back in 1990 at my friends house, that when I read it I felt rottenness in my bones... I could hardly move, and in that weaked state ... it was as if I was drenched in shikina glory and I knew that God had not left me. He still loved me even though I thought I had become such a sinner I felt I had list my salvation. But no ... in that verse it was am instantaneous knowing I was loved and forgiven. WOW .... I can't explain how much this meant to me. Mr Wright you are an exceptional teacher ... easy to understand and anointed. Thank you sir for the prayer also!! Be blessed.🕊😇🙏 Sherry🌞

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you for your encouraging words. We are grateful for your story and the joy and enthusiasm you've shared with us!

[@sherrywebber4013]

@@NTWrightOnline it's because I enjoy your teachings so very much!! The one I've been searching for for so long. The Lord brought you and I'm so blessed & SO grateful to Him. You teach from the whole Bible not just OT or NT...

[@charlesratcliff2016]

It defines who I am in Christ.

[@jaylinn416]

"In believing, you may know who you really are in the Messiah, and have life in His name, Amen." I do not believe I have ever heard anything more beautiful, more wonderful, more comprehensive, and more profound in my entire life. I want to ponder on these personal blessing words every day going forward.

[@raymccormick6103]

This is such a wonderful and beautiful devotion to me. Thank U Bishop Wright🙏

[@NTWrightOnline]

Glad that it’s helpful. Plenty more to come!

[@robbieendris3948]

Very encouraged by listening this morning. I am crucified with Christ, yet I live.

[@dasharathrathod11]

Thank you Sir.... praise the lord

[@debidavis1864]

You are a delightful start of my day!!

[@gealyca]

This scripture reminds me that I should "feed" on such things that lead me to increase in the revelation of my identity in the Resurrected Lord and decrease in the identity of my works in this broken world.

[@dianehoffman3508]

Thank you for making these videos open to the public. God's love for us is an important message to the world, and thank you for your blessing at the end .

[@NTWrightOnline]

We agree! Glad you're here with us.

[@thierrymunseugandachildren802]

Amen and Amen thank you so much for sharing watching from Africa Uganda God bless you

[@NTWrightOnline]

Greetings from the US and UK and thanks for the encouragement!

[@chorus_sung]

Thank you for reminding us about the Lord's love. Chorus fr Hong Kong.

[@gergelybakos2159]

Dear Father Tom, thank you!

[@sinemelekot_bemeskot]

Thank you Bishop

[@louiseteaches]

This is so beautiful. Thank you.

[@DrDean-js4rk]

I was wondering about the difference between the Old Testament salvation for the Jews (I am Jewish) and the NT salvation for Jew and Gentile. NT Wright answered by question: OT salvation is about belief in Jesus (Yeshua) as the Messiah and Son of God. That is good, but NT salvation is about transformation and that can only occur through appropriating the death and resurrection of Jesus. That love is manifest in what Rev. Wright says is “a debt of love that only love can repay” . This is the universal salvation that unites Jew and Gentile into one salvation and one Body.

[@tomvondra2632]

beatitudes related by Jesus in MT 5 have no ethnic restriction

[@charlespackwood2055]

The obedience of faith - At the start of Romans, 1:5, and at the end of Romans, 16:26. If the love of God is being shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit, you will obey Christ. "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments," John 14:15. “If you say you love me and keep not my commandments you are a liar”, 1 John 2:4-6.

[@NTWrightOnline]

Thank you for adding your reflections. True faith isn't just about believing in God, it's about living in a way that reflects our loyalty and commitment to him. Faith and faithfulness are deeply connected--it's about trusting God so fully that our lives show that trust through our actions, choices, and perseverance in following Jesus. You may enjoy a free online self-paced course N.T. Wright taught: www.admirato.org/courses/faith-working-through-love We'd love to hear your thoughts! --NTW Online Team

[@profetgetinetabiyou8920]

Shalom We are Ethiopian and with amaharic languages nationaly speaks so now do you have any things to rich my family's as and more people her God bless This ia prophet Getnet Abiyou From Ethiopia in adisabab

[@pa4fsm]

The gospel is about a debt of love that only love can repay.

[@jaylinn416]

I think therefore I am was the beginning of western philosophy. I am loved therefore I am is the end of philosophy.

[@abhirai6124]

Listening and watchig from India 👋👋. Hoping to learn. I want to buy all books by NT WRIGHT. Is there any way get some of his books for free anywhere?

[@1515327E]

‘I am loved, therefore, I am.’ ‘Amor ergo sum’ or ‘Amatus sum, ergo sum’? (I’m asking because I’m not a Latin scholar).

[@sossocoral4057]

Je le voudrais en version français.

[@khgblast203]

Isn't this what Jesus is discussing with /explaining to Nicodemus in John 3:1-21?

[@NTWrightOnline]

In the exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus, the focus is on inheriting the kingdom of God and having 'eternal life'. The Greek phrase we translate 'eternal life' is zoe aionios. It is best translated as 'the age to come'. Obviously there is much overlap between the announcement of the 'Good News' (Gospel) of the coming of the King that was promised. But Paul's discussion in Galatians 2:19-20 also includes Paul's reflection on the goal of the Torah which was to be fulfilled in Christ. Thus, he describes that he 'died to the law'. The common element in the two texts is the need for faith in Messiah, Jesus.

[@James-tl2tq]

What English translation is NT reading from ?

[@NTWrightOnline]

Hello James. In the video, N.T. Wright is sharing from the New Testament for Everyone translation. We hope you find it as enriching as we do! ~Charleen at N.T. Wright Online

[@MrZORROish]

Is it valid to say that one reason for God deciding to communicate the New Covenant through the Greek language, and therefore to use the word Christ rather than Messiah, was to underline that Jesus was more than a Jewish Messiah, anointed to save the Jewish people but that He is anointed to be a universal Saviour. Are we correct to use the word Messiah, or is it anachronistic with its Jewish baggage since the Jewish nation (though not all Jews-remembering that all the first Christians were Jews) rejected his Messiahship and saw their nation destroyed and scattered while Jesus was revealed to the people of the world as their Christ? We Jews and Gentiles (British, French, American etc.) have been called out of a primary earthly identity (even though we may retain it in a secondary sense) to a heavenly citizenship where there is no Jew or Gentile - no superior ethnicity.

[@autumnhardenstine8032]

I have been reading Richard Rohr's book The Universal Christ and have been totally taken with the idea that "Christ" predates Jesus. That Christ is in all creation (the first incarnation) and that Jesus is the specific incarnation of humanity. This thinking has caused me to reconsider the importance and our connection with all creation - all created order. The Love given to us through Jesus is the same as the Love given all the created order at the moment God, the Holy Mystery Created. I suspect I am not stating all the Richard Rohr really said but it is very intriguing and expresses to me a oneness with all creation while allowing me to take my identity from being in Christ as best expressed in the incarnation of Jesus. N. T. Wright gives me chills when he says who we really are is the loved (beloved community) and our answer is faith.

[@bradbrown2168]

What is your speculation of Paul in Arabia?

[@NTWrightOnline]

Excellent question! N.T. Wright wrote a paper on this. We'd love to hear what you think: ntwrightpage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Wright_Paul_Arabia_Elijah.pdf --NTW Online Team

[@listenandobey8127]

How can you defend Paul in this letter or any letter for that matter? The Law is NOT done away with! Forever throughout your generations does not have a time stamp..it's FOREVER!! If you question Paul and the Seminary you may learn something. Shalom

[@tomvondra2632]

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