Note 8 at Gal. 2:15: Paul is now stating to Peter, "We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, know that a man is not declared righteous by the works of the law but by faith in Christ" (TEV; KJV).

Paul is using a term used by Pharisaic Jews that describes all people outside the covenant of the law as being "Gentile sinners." Paul goes on to say that no man is declared righteous ". . .by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ." Although the law of Moses is being spoken of here, this can also be understood as any religious law (what day you worship, the length of hair, dress, the mode of baptism, or other religious codes), for by those works no person can be justified.