In what may be the central (key) verse in the whole Epistle of Galatians … Galatians 2:20 (our Text for several mornings, looks like) … Paul makes  a statement that has been quoted millions of times!

“I am crucified with Christ.”

Wow!

That verb “crucified with” as here rendered in English, is the Greek “sustauroo.” It means “nailed to a pole” (the “stauroo” part) prefixed by “with, beside” someone (the “sus” part, really “sun” before it is amended, blended).

Not just crucified!

Crucified WITH Christ Jesus our Lord!

Plus, the verb is framed in the “perfect” tense in Greek … meaning PAST action, but action that still has an ONGOING impact, effect! (We will never get over being so crucified! It, that great Fact, still influences, guides me every single day!)

Then again as well, the verb is in the passive voice!

Paul did not crucify himself, not in this verse! I am supposing (given Paul’s pneumatology, his belief/teaching about the Holy Spirit) the Holy Ghost Himself has crucifed a willing Paul, nailing him (his flesh, his false beliefs, his whole former life as a sinner) to that old rugged Tree on which Jesus died!

Now we must here remember the context of Paul’s cryptic remark.

Verse 19: “For I through the law am dead to the law.”

The Law (of Moses) has evidently brought Paul to the Cross, to this place of death! (It, the Law,  is a “schoolmaster,” designed to do this very thing, according to Galatians 3:24!)

The Law that finds every man (and woman) guilty before God! (“All have sinned.” Romans 3:23)

It was in one sense the Law that condemned Jesus, although He never violated one iota of it! Jesus on Calvary took my place … and yours … thereby suffering my death … and yours … in our stead!

The Law that puts me to death … put Jesus to death vicariously (in my place)!

As in: “His body … a man crucified … shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (FOR HE THAT IS HANGED IS ACCURSED OF GOD;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”

Jesus … cursed of God … for us!

Jesus’ Death satisfied the demands of the Law … on my behalf, yours too if you’ve accepted Him as your personal Saviour!

I am dead to the Law .. because I am crucifed with Christ!

It’s requirements can no longer be exacted upon me … because of my identification with Jesus in His Death, my participation in Christ!

A quaint illustration … Let’s say the Law showed up at my front door, accusing me of some sin (idolatry, for example). And I was guilty! (I, when a sinner, was an idolater! Guilty of worshipping self or greed or power or some other human, etc.) And the law aggressively calls for my death! (Idolatry was a capital crime in those bygone days.) But … what a minute! If I am already dead (in Christ Jesus my Lord) the Law cannot touch me! Cannot harm me .. because I am dead via Calvary! (You can’t kill a man but once … certainly not twice!)

Amazing!

So … my death in Jesus makes the Law (its threats and judgments) moot, useless, non-consequential!

In other words, JESUS’ DEATH COVERS IT ALL!

Oh, to live such a life!

“Crucified with Christ!”

His shed Blood having satisfied all the demands of sin against my life!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell