Gospel Hypocrisy

In Galatians 2:11–16, Paul rebukes Peter because his conduct was “not in step with the truth of the gospel.” Peter knew Gentile believers were accepted by faith in Christ, yet out of fear he withdrew from table fellowship when the circumcision party arrived. His hypocrisy spread, even leading Barnabas astray.

This sermon shows that Peter’s actions were not merely rude or inconsistent; they implied that Gentiles needed Jewish customs to fully belong. Paul answers with the heart of the gospel: sinners are justified not by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Christians still struggle with hypocrisy when we act as though acceptance depends on performance, approval, background, culture, politics, or tribe. The answer is repentance and faith in Christ—the only One who was never hypocrite and who justifies sinners by faith alone.