I have been crucified with Christ.
Paul's strange identity statement — and why it changes everything.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Crucified with Christ' — the old self died.
- 02'Christ lives in me' — the new life is his life.
- 03The life now lived is by faith in the Son of God.
- 04He loved me and gave himself for me — personal, not abstract.
Read along.
Galatians 2:20 — 'I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.'
'Crucified with Christ.' Paul says his old self died at the cross. The identity built on performance, religion, self-righteousness — dead.
'Christ lives in me.' What's left is a new life, and it's not just Paul's life. It's Christ's life in Paul.
'I live by faith in the Son of God.' Day to day, the way Paul keeps walking is the same way he was saved — by faith.
And the personal note: 'who loved me and gave himself for me.' Not 'us' here. 'Me.' Paul makes it personal. So can you.