Were the Judaizers in Galatians 2 believers in Jesus as Messiah?
Yes, most of the Judaizers in Galatians 2 were believers in Christ as the Messiah, but they still sought to bring Paul back under bondage to the Law, wanting him to require circumcision and observance of the dietary laws and Laws of Moses.
Les explains that the Judaizers came in secretly to spy out the liberty believers have in Christ Jesus. Although most of them are now believers in Christ as the Messiah, they wanted to bring Paul back under bondage, meaning the Law. They wanted Paul to admit he was wrong, to have his congregations practice circumcision, keep the dietary laws, and keep the Laws of Moses. Their goal was to submarine Paul and sink his ministry to the Gentiles.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
More Questions
What were the Judaizers ultimately trying to accomplish against Paul?
The whole purpose of the Judaizers' spying was to submarine the apostle Paul and sink him, putting him out of business rather than letting him go to the Gentiles with the message he had been preaching.
Who did the Judaizers spy on and what were they checking about Titus?
These Jews were going to slip in and spy on Paul and Barnabas, especially in their relationship with Titus who was a Gentile, in order to check out and make sure they were practicing circumcision.