The main theme of Galatians is that believers are not under the Law but under grace.
Paul wrote this letter because Gentile believers were being pressured to return to the Law, circumcision, and Judaism. The central biblical call is to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and not be entangled with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1). Les Feldick teaches that the whole thrust of the book is to prove these Galatian believers were not under the Mosaic Law but under grace.
Galatians 5:1 — This is the book's central command: stand fast in liberty and do not return to the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 3:24 — It states the law's temporary role as a schoolmaster bringing believers to Christ, which is the heart of Paul's argument.
The central text for the book's theme is Galatians 5:1 — "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Paul's whole argument is that believers have been set free and must not go back under a system of bondage. In Galatians 3:23–24 Paul explains that before faith came, believers were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which would later be revealed. The law was their schoolmaster to bring them to Christ so that they might be justified by faith. This shows the law was a temporary guardian, not a permanent master over the believer. In Galatians 4:8–9 Paul rebukes believers who, after knowing God, were turning again to "weak and beggarly elements" and desiring to be in bondage. The text points to the law system as the bondage from which they had been freed.
Les Feldick explains that the main theme of Galatians is that believers are not under the Law but under grace. The letter was written to Gentile believers up in Asia Minor who were being "hammered" by Jewish believers to come back under the Law, practice circumcision, and embrace Judaism. Paul had to write this "little letter" to refute that teaching. Les says the Judaizers were following Paul everywhere he went and were still maintaining that these Gentiles could not be saved unless they embraced Judaism and kept the Law. Paul admonished the Galatians not to give in. In Galatians 5:1, Les says the "yoke of bondage" is legalism, the Law, and Judaism. If anyone depended on circumcision or anything in the flesh for salvation, Christ would profit them nothing. Les also draws on Galatians 3:23–24, which he says recaps why the Law has been set aside and why God turned to the Gentiles by grace through faith alone: the Law was the schoolmaster until faith came. And Paul calls the Law "weak and beggarly elements" in Galatians 4:9. The whole thrust of the book, Les says, is to prove that these Galatian believers were not under the Mosaic Law but under grace. The gospel of grace is simply believing that Christ died for us and rose from the dead, plus nothing for salvation.
Les Feldick says Paul had to write this little letter because the Galatian believers were being "hammered" by Jewish believers to come back under the Law, practice circumcision, and embrace Judaism to the fullest extent. The Judaizers were following Paul everywhere and insisting that these Gentiles could not be saved unless they embraced Judaism and kept the Law. Paul wrote hurriedly to admonish them not to give in.
Galatians 3:23–24 says that before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed, and that the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Les says Paul is recapping why the law has now been set aside and why God has turned to the Gentiles by grace through faith alone.
Galatians 5:1 commands believers to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Les identifies that yoke of bondage as legalism, the Law, and Judaism. He says the whole thrust of the book is to prove the Galatian believers were not under the Mosaic Law but under grace.
Les points to Galatians 5:2 — "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." He explains Paul is talking about salvation: if believers were going to depend on something they can do in the flesh for salvation, Christ would profit them nothing.
Why Christ Had to Be Virgin Born — Romans 9 & Genesis 3:15
He comes out on the deck, or whatever the case may be. He spoke the Word. And what happened? Hey, the wind died down, the sea became calm. And what did the twelve say? What manner of man is this that even the wind obeys His voice? Well, now they didn't have the full comprehension of who Jesus was, because they still couldn't comprehend that He could speak a word and the wind would die down.
Why Galatians Was Written
Les explains that the letter to the Galatians was written because Jewish believers were pressuring Gentile believers to come back under the Law, practice circumcision, and embrace Judaism, so Paul wrote to refute that and tell them they are not under the Law.
Not Under Law, Under Grace
Les says the letter was written to Gentile churches to tell them they are not under the Law but under grace, and Paul had to write hurriedly because Judaizers were following him and insisting Gentiles couldn't be saved without embracing Judaism and keeping the Law.
Law as Schoolmaster
Les reads Galatians 3:23–24 as Paul recapping why the Law has now been set aside and why God turned to the Gentiles by grace through faith alone; the Law was a schoolmaster until faith came.
Stand Fast Against Legalism
Les teaches that Galatians 5:1–2 is Paul's admonition to stand fast in the liberty Christ provided and not be entangled with the yoke of bondage, which is legalism; depending on circumcision in the flesh for salvation means Christ profits nothing.
Weak and Beggarly Elements = The Law
Les says the whole thrust of Galatians is to prove the Galatian believers were not under the Mosaic Law but under grace, and in Galatians 4:8 Paul rebukes their desire to return to the weak and beggarly elements, referring to the Law.
Warning Against Returning to the Law
Les points to Galatians 4:9 where Paul asks how believers, after being known by God, could turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, which is the law.
The Gospel of Grace Plus Nothing
Les connects the Galatian teaching to the gospel of grace: since God introduced this gospel, Gentiles are no longer subject to the Judaic system; salvation is simply believing Christ died and rose, plus nothing.
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This verse is the book's central command to remain in the freedom Christ provides rather than returning to the Law.
Galatians 5:2: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Paul warns that depending on fleshly obedience for salvation nullifies the work of Christ.
Galatians 3:23: But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
This verse shows the law was a temporary confinement until the way of faith was revealed.
Galatians 3:24: Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
The law's role was guardian-like, leading to Christ so that justification could be by faith, not by law-keeping.
Galatians 4:8: Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
Paul reminds the Galatians of their former bondage to things that are not gods, setting up his warning against returning to bondage.
Galatians 4:9: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Paul rebukes the Galatians for wanting to go back under the weak and beggarly elements of the Law.
In context, Paul is commanding believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ provided and not return to the law system. Les Feldick identifies the yoke of bondage as legalism, the Law, and Judaism.
Les describes them as Gentile believers in Asia Minor who had been saved by grace but were being tempted to go back under the Law. The Judaizers were pressuring them to embrace Judaism and keep the Law.
Les says Paul is talking about the Law. The Galatian believers were turning again to the weak and beggarly elements of the Law, and Paul rebukes them for desiring that bondage.
Watch the Teaching: Why Christ Had to Be Virgin Born — Romans 9 & Genesis 3:15