Introduction to Galatians, Paul, The Torah, Law and Legalism

What's the Main Theme of Galatians?

Arguably you find details of the main theme of a letter after the introduction, which in this case is where Paul was firstly establishing his apostolic authority in Galatians 1: What comes immediately after this should tell us what the main theme of the letter is, but for us today, it's quite confusing...

Galatians 2:1 ¶ Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Equally, we'd expect to gain some insight about the main theme by looking at the conclusion of the letter, which is in Galatians 6:. What do we find here ? Interestingly its very similar to Galatians 2:, but just as strange...

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

To understand the subject of circumcision in Galatians, we have to go back in history, to the beginning of the subject which we find in God's Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17. Once we understand this it becomes clear that there are a large number of both direct and INDIRECT references to circumcision in Paul's letter to the Galatians. Only with this background can we really begin to grasp just how central this topic is to the epistle. Then we need to understand Exodus 12: where we learn that it was essential for gentiles to be circumcised to convert to God's religion & keep Passover, that is until the baptism of Cornelius in Acts 10:. Cornelius' baptism changed everything and was where the Galatian controversy began. When we understand all of this we can understand the Galatian Controversy or the Galatian Heresy?

What's Going On in Galatians 2:11-16?

Another scripture which is difficult to understand is Paul's criticism of Peter in Galatians 2:11-16

Galatians 2:11-16 11 ¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain (people) came from James, he (Peter) did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, HE WITHDREW and separated himself, fearing them which were OF THE CIRCUMCISION. (There are our friends again) 13 And the OTHER Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Why is Paul taking up this much space relating this story?
Why is this obviously, relevant to the Galatian churches ?
Why is Paul criticizing Peter and Barnabus?
More importantly, why is he criticizing them in front of the ENTIRE Antioch church?
What commandment did they break ?

Ye Observe Days, and Months, and Times, and Years

Then there's that old chestnut in Galatians 4:9-10

Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

From this the conclusion of most Christian theologians is: "there's no need to keep the Holy Days in the written torah law" (Leviticus 23). Is that right?

Paul Appears to Criticize the Law in Galatians

Of course we know that many people say Paul's comments about the Law in Galatians are negative. Some say that Paul's referring to the entirety of the written Torah law, the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch). Others say he's only criticizing the sacrificial laws. Why do they say this?

Firstly Paul makes two references to "the curse of the law" in Galatians. Let's have a look at these.

Galatians 3:10 for as many as are of works of law are under a curse,.

Galatians 3:13 Christ did redeem us from the curse of the law,.

Then Paul writes "UNDER the law" in Galatians four times, as if the law is an oppressive burden. There are also six references to "the works of the law" in Galatians, and none of these are mentioned in a positive context.

So christian theologians say "the law of Moses is done away" because its an oppressive burden. But during the sermon on the mount Jesus Christ said:

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, AND TEACHES MEN SO, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Did he only mean that this was the case before he died?

But even if we ignore what Christ said at the sermon on the Mount (and we would suggest that we do so at our peril), if Paul really believed when he wrote Galatians that the first five books of the Bible were "done away", why doe he contradict this in Romans 7?

Romans 7:12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. NKJV

...and Acts 24, where at the end of his freedom he defends his beliefs before Felix:

Acts 24:14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. NKJV

And don't forget 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where just prior to his death Paul tells Timothy that all of the Old Testament scriptures are inspired and profitable.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV

So is Paul for the written law in the first five books of our Bibles, or against it, or couldn't he make up his mind?

Where Do We Start To Begin to Understand Galatians, Paul, The Torah, Law & Legalism?

Before we get anything like a decent grip on Galatians, The Torah, Law and Legalism we have to go back in history, to the beginning of the subject which we find in God's Covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17.

Return to the start of Galatians, Paul, The Torah-Law and Legalism a Judianity website ?

In the predominantly Jewish New Testament church why isn't any disruption recorded if most of the Old Testament laws were "done away" yet in Acts a small and predictable change to one "Old Testament" law about the circumcision of gentile proselytes caused massive turmoil? Why also do many christian theologians believe even after the crucifixion, that Paul kept Nazirite vows & offered sacrifices at the temple?

Let's take a closer look at the What Was The Galatian Heresy / The Galatian Controversy?
© www.galatians-paul-the-torah-law-legalism.info Jan 2006.