ESV Reformation Study Bible – Gal 2:18
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Gal 2:18

2:18 tore down. The Greek word translated “tore down” is used in the New Testament to mean the tearing down of an edifice (Matt. 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6; Rom. 14:20). Paul may be thinking of Peter’s mistaken attempt to rebuild the wall between Jew and Gentile that was torn down by the gospel (v. 14; Eph. 2:14). To rebuild the wall of the law is to bring in again the condemnation of the law. The lawbreaker is not the one who turns from the law to Christ for justification; it is the one who turns back again from Christ to the law.