Galatians 2:18 – “If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is continuing his argument that justification (being made right with God) comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by following the Law of Moses. He is speaking against the idea that Christians should return to relying on the Law for righteousness after they have already placed their faith in Christ.

When Paul says, “If I rebuild what I destroyed,” he is referring to the idea of going back to the Law as a means of justification. Before coming to Christ, Paul had been a devout Pharisee who relied on the Law for righteousness. But when he encountered Jesus, he realized that the Law could not save him—only faith in Christ could. He “destroyed” his old way of thinking, recognizing that salvation comes by grace, not works.

Now, if he were to go back and “rebuild” that old system of works-based righteousness, he would actually be proving that he was a lawbreaker all along. Why? Because the Law itself cannot justify anyone—it only reveals sin (Romans 3:20). Going back to the Law would mean rejecting the grace of Christ and trying to earn salvation, which is impossible.

Paul’s point is clear: If you return to relying on religious rules after embracing grace, you are rejecting the very thing that saves you—faith in Jesus Christ.

Historical Context

At the time Paul was writing, there was a major controversy in the early church. Some Jewish Christians (often called the “Judaizers”) were teaching that Gentile believers had to follow the Jewish Law—especially circumcision and dietary rules—to be fully accepted by God.

Paul had already confronted Peter in Antioch for withdrawing from eating with Gentile Christians out of fear of what Jewish Christians might think (Galatians 2:11-14). That action sent the message that faith in Christ was not enough and that Jewish customs were still necessary for full acceptance.

Paul is now making it clear that going back to the Law after coming to Christ would be a serious mistake. The Law was never meant to save—it was meant to point people to Jesus (Galatians 3:24). If someone abandoned the Law to trust in Christ but then turned back to it, they would be undoing the very freedom that Christ had given them.

Theological Implications

1. Salvation Is Through Grace, Not Works – Going back to the Law means rejecting grace and trying to earn salvation, which is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. The Law Exposes Sin But Cannot Save – The purpose of the Law was to show people their need for a Savior. It was never intended to make them righteous (Romans 3:20).

3. Returning to the Law Is a Step Backward – Once someone has put their faith in Christ, going back to religious rituals for justification is denying the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice.

4. Legalism Is Dangerous – Legalism happens when people add human rules to the gospel, thinking they need to perform religious duties to earn God’s approval. Paul warns that this is a serious mistake.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording in this verse is simple but powerful:

• “If I rebuild what I destroyed” – This phrase represents a return to the old system of legalism. Paul had torn down his old reliance on the Law, so to rebuild it would be a contradiction.
• “Then I really would be a lawbreaker” – This is a strong statement. If Paul went back to the Law, he would be proving that he was never truly righteous in the first place. He would be showing that even with all his efforts under the Law, he was still guilty of sin.

This verse is part of Paul’s larger argument in Galatians that righteousness comes through faith, not through following religious customs.

Biblical Cross-References

• Galatians 3:24-25 – “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”
• Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
• Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
• Philippians 3:8-9 – Paul describes how he once relied on the Law but now counts everything as “loss” compared to knowing Christ.
• Hebrews 10:1 – The Law was only a shadow of the good things to come, but it could not make people perfect.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a warning against falling into legalism. Many people today still believe they must earn God’s favor by following rules, doing good works, or keeping religious traditions. But Paul makes it clear that returning to a works-based mindset undermines the gospel.

It also challenges us to examine our faith. Are we truly trusting in Jesus alone for salvation, or do we feel like we have to “prove” ourselves to God through religious performance? The gospel is about what Jesus has done—not about what we do.

This verse also encourages us to stand firm in grace. Just as Paul refused to go back to the Law, we must refuse to let anything replace the simple truth that salvation is by faith in Christ alone.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in the fact that He does not require us to earn salvation. He knows that no one can keep the Law perfectly, so He provided a better way—through Jesus.

This verse shows God’s heart for freedom. He doesn’t want His people to be trapped under religious burdens. Instead, He offers true righteousness as a free gift to those who trust in Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus Fulfilled the Law – The Law was never meant to be permanent. Jesus fulfilled it and established a new covenant of grace (Matthew 5:17).
• Jesus Is Our Righteousness – Instead of trying to be righteous through the Law, believers receive righteousness through faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Jesus Brings True Freedom – Returning to the Law is a step backward, but Jesus calls us to live in the freedom of His grace (John 8:36).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Paul describes returning to the Law as “rebuilding what was destroyed”?
2. How can we tell if we are trusting in religious performance instead of trusting in Jesus?
3. What are some modern ways people try to “earn” their salvation?
4. How does this verse challenge legalism in today’s church?
5. How can we stand firm in grace and avoid falling into a works-based mindset?

This verse reminds us that salvation is found in Christ alone. Once we have put our faith in Him, we should never turn back to religious rules or human efforts to try to earn righteousness. Jesus has done it all—our job is to trust Him.