Was there any difference between Paul's background and the Galatians' background?
No ultimate difference existed. The Galatians came out of paganism, while Paul came out of Judaism, yet both stood as sinners saved by grace. Scripture declares all were without God and on their own way, so their differing religious backgrounds made no difference before God.
Les teaches that Paul did not put himself above the rank and file, saying, "be as I am, for I am as you are." Although the Galatians had come out of paganism, Paul had come out of Judaism. In the final analysis, Les says there was no difference: none, none. They were all, as Romans chapter 3 says, without God, all on their own way, and the fear of God was with none of them. Paul therefore saw himself as nothing more than a sinner saved by grace, just like the rest.