Galatians Unscrambled at Last

The Jewish nature of Paul’s letter to the Galatians

This is not a detailed study of Galatians but an attempt to establish context for understanding.

Galatians has caused more controversy and hardship on Jewish believers than any other book in the Bible. Understanding the Jewish nature of the Book is easy once you put it in context with why it was written.

The background to Galatians can be found in Acts 15. 1-29

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved. … 5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses … 22) Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23) And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24) For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: … 28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29) That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well."

In the letter to Galatia Paul is simply doing what James, the chairman of the rabbinical council at Jerusalem, had ruled, that the Gentiles are NOT REQUIRED to keep the commandments of a Jew. They did say however that the Gentiles could learn the Torah if they wished, by attending Synagogues in their local areas. Acts 15:21 "For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day."

Now that we understand what Paul was addressing in his letter, lets look at what was written. Galatians 1:7-2:9

"… but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the good news of Messiah. 8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ...

2:4) And that because of false brethren brought in without our knowledge, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty which we have in Messiah Yeshua, that they might bring us into bondage: … 9) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave the right hands of fellowship to Barnabas and I; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision (i.e. Jews).

Now for the clincher. Galatians 5:1-6

"1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty in which Messiah has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised, Messiah shall profit you nothing.

Literally, Jews keep the Torah and its ordinances for righteousness sake, not for redemption. Jews know, it is only the mercy of G-d that brings redemption, through trusting in Him. Gentiles who received redemption and righteousness through trusting in Messiah, and then turn to the law for redemption, nullify the act of redemption provided to the gentile through Messiah Yeshua.

Messianic Jews are still under obligation to the law, not for redemption, but for righteousness sake, the avoidance of sin (1 John 3:4). Repentance for a Jew is returning to G-d and the Torah (commandments of G-d). Please do not confuse the torah of our rabbis with the Torah of G-d.

Galatians 5:3

"For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4) Messiah has become of no effect unto you, those of you that are justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. 5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6) For in Yeshua the Messiah neither circumcision benefits any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love."

Well, there you have it. Some people had come to Galatia to preach the good news that gentiles were not really redeemed through Messiah Yeshua but through the keeping of the Laws of G-d, and that if they did not comply with the Torah (as it applies to a Jew), they would not be saved. Paul was simply addressing these issues and re-directing the gentiles at Galatia toward faith in G-d and Messiah.

If you still have questions about Galatians, Torah obedience, grace or any other subject, please write me. I will be happy to hear from you.