Not Acting In Line With The Gospel

When Paul confronts Peter’s racism in Galatians 2 he uses a radical principle and applies it to racism. The radical principle is found in verse 14, “When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel”. This is the charge and the principle.                The Greek word used is Orthopodeo, it means to walk in a straight path, used metaphorically here in Galatians 2:14 signifying a course of conduct by which one leaves a straight track for others to follow. Podeo is where we get our podiatrist it means to walk. The word walk is a significant metaphor in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. 
                                                                                           To walk refers to the course of your whole life. 1 John 1:7 “If we walk in the light” in other words let the whole course of your life be controlled by the light. Walk refers then to the whole course of your life. The NIV translates it “not acting” which is a little weak. The word walk includes everything, your thoughts, feelings motivations and behavior. Ones walk is the whole course or direction of your life. Ortho means straight, you go to the orthodontist if your teeth are crooked. If you take a field sobriety test you have to walk a straight line, they want to see if you can stay on the line.     
                                                                                              Paul is saying that the gospel is a line you have to walk on. The gospel is a truth it is a set of truths that say, you’re a sinner, you’re weak, and you try to control your life through self-salvation strategies. Only through Jesus Christ the entire law of God has been fulfilled so that when you believe in Jesus you are completely accepted and forgiven.