What was the truth that Paul preached and the Galatians should obey?
The truth Paul preached was Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and risen from the dead, plus nothing. The Galatians should obey that gospel rather than the Judaizers’ message that something had to be added. Salvation in Paul’s gospel is faith plus nothing, not faith plus law, baptism, or temple worship.
Les explains that the Galatians were being hoodwinked by Judaizers from Jerusalem into thinking they had to add something to Paul’s gospel. Paul hurried to write this letter and called them foolish and bewitched, asking who had fooled their thinking. The truth they should not disobey is that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and risen from the dead, plus nothing. Les contrasts this with past dealings: Old Testament saints were saved by faith, but not faith alone; it was faith plus. Even in Christ’s earthly ministry, people had to repent, be baptized, keep the law, and remain under temple worship. But beginning with Paul’s gospel, it is faith plus nothing. Les notes that much of Christendom still says it is faith plus.