“I do not frustrate the grace…”

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. ~Galatians 2:21 KJV

Wrong Interpretation:

Many Christians use this scripture to justify that works are no longer necessary after being saved.  Or if one becomes too religious, they are frustrating the grace.

Right Interpretation:

Paul is specifically referencing Peter’s hypocrisy because Peter left the uncircumcised Gentiles and sat with the circumcised Jews because he felt the Gentiles were unclean because they did not have the Jewish circumcision made with hands. Paul was scolding Peter’s act of returning to the former circumcision instead of being under Christ’s circumcision. Christ’s circumcision is the cutting out of evil works from the heart and mind through the faith of applying the doctrine of Christ. Therefore, Peter was frustrating the grace by returning to the need for the circumcision of the flesh.