Who were the Judaizers opposing Paul?
The Judaizers were opponents from Jerusalem who followed Paul into Gentile congregations, insisting salvation required more than Paul's Gospel of Grace. They taught that Gentiles had to keep the Law and practice circumcision to be saved. They could be believing Jews influenced by Peter and the Eleven, or come from the Orthodox party.
Les explains that after Paul had been converted and had spent 14 years preaching the Gospel of Grace in the Gentile world, the Judaizers from Jerusalem were opposing him at every turn. Whether they were believing Jews, whether they were under the influence of Peter and the Eleven, or whether they were from the Orthodox, it made no difference. They would come into these Gentile congregations and say, you can't be saved by Paul's Gospel alone. You have to keep the Law, you have to practice circumcision, or you can't be saved.
More Questions
Who was opposing Paul during his Gentile ministry?
The Judaizers from Jerusalem were opposing Paul at every turn, as seen in the Corinthian letters.