Definition: But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Galatians 2:17. It’s a really important and complex passage that gets at a core theological issue about salvation and human nature. Here's a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: The verse is essentially saying: “If we focus too much on being saved by Christ – meaning we think we’re somehow worthy of God’s grace – then we risk becoming sinners ourselves.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: 1. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ..." - This is a crucial part. It means when we're trying to earn God's favor through our good works or our relationship with Him, we might mistakenly believe we've achieved salvation. We think we’re done needing Jesus because we’re getting it. 2. "...we ourselves also are found sinners..." – This is the key part of the warning. It means that even if we're really seeking God, our own human nature – our imperfections, our desires, our weaknesses – can lead us to sin. We're not perfect and we’re prone to making mistakes. 3. "[is] therefore Christ the minister of sin?" - This is the most challenging part. The author is posing a question: “Is it possible for us to become sinful while focusing on being justified by Christ?” The word "minister" in this context means to serve or represent someone. So, the verse suggests that Christ, who is perfectly righteous and sinless, could be serving our sinful nature. 4. “God forbid.” - This is a strong warning. It’s saying that this situation is something God explicitly forbids – something He doesn't want us to experience. In simpler terms: The verse warns against the danger of placing too much emphasis on earning salvation through our good deeds instead of relying solely on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and grace for forgiveness and a new life. It suggests that if we become overly focused on being righteous, we risk falling into sin ourselves, which is a serious problem. Why is this important? It's a reminder to: Focus on Christ: Don’t let our desire for salvation overshadow our need for Jesus. Recognize our human nature: We are imperfect and prone to sin, so we must remain dependent on God’s grace. Seek God’s grace: We should always be seeking God's mercy and forgiveness rather than striving for our own righteousness. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on interpretations of the text within the context of biblical theology. Would you like me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Compare it to other related verses?