The false teaching Paul had to refute was that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in addition to faith in Christ to be saved.
Les Feldick clarifies that this teaching came from Judaizers who insisted that faith alone was insufficient for salvation. They corrupted Paul's gospel by adding the requirements of circumcision and Law-keeping, which Paul strongly opposed as a pollution of the true gospel of grace.
Galatians 1:6-7 — Paul directly addresses the Galatians turning to a different gospel, which is the core of the false teaching he refutes.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is shocked that they are so quickly deserting the one who called them by grace and turning to a different gospel. He says in Galatians 1:6-7 (KJV): 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.' This indicates that the false teaching was a perversion of the true gospel, not a completely different message but a corrupted one. Paul clearly identifies that these troublemakers were distorting the message of salvation by grace through faith alone.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul had to respond frantically to false teachers, known as Judaizers, who infiltrated the Galatian churches. These false teachers claimed that salvation required more than just faith in Christ; they insisted that new believers must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses (Clip 4). This was a direct attack on Paul's gospel of grace, which proclaimed salvation by faith plus nothing (Clip 5). Les emphasizes that this false teaching was a pollution and corruption of the truth, and it prompted Paul to write the entire letter to the Galatians (Clip 5).
Les Feldick explains that the false teachers in Galatia were Judaizers, who came from Israel and insisted that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved (Clips 4 and 5). He compares them to those who pollute the gospel by mixing it with works, akin to adding water to wine (Clip 5).
Les Feldick notes that these false teachers often came in secretly to spy out the liberty believers had in Christ (Clip 6). They used similar tactics to other false teachers, such as appearing polished and knowledgeable, but leading people astray with their corrupt message.
Peter's Law-Keeping Mindset
Les uses Peter's reluctance to eat unclean foods to illustrate the deep-rooted Law-keeping mindset that influenced early Jewish believers, which the Judaizers exploited.
Paul's Defense Against False Teachers
Les explains that Paul constantly defended his apostleship against false teachers, some of whom claimed to follow Peter or Jesus's earthly teachings, opposing Paul's mystery gospel.
Why Paul Said "We Are Not Ignorant of Satan's Devices" — 2 Corinthians 2:11
Verse 13. These are all descriptions now of what Paul says he was not. He said, I did not come corrupting the Word of God. I did not come like a raging wave of the sea foaming out their own shame, wandering stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. And that�s what the world is falling for tonight.
What Is Truth? Jesus Christ Explained Verse by Verse
He was constantly being submarine by the Judaizers from Israel, and by even the pagan world, and even by believing Jews from the element of the twelve in Jerusalem, that he was an imposter. He was a false teacher. After all, he didn't have the credentials. If he could have just had letters of commendation from Peter, oh, he wouldn't have had so many of these problems. But he didn't have that.
False Teachers in Galatia
Les identifies the false teachers in Galatia who insisted that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses were necessary for salvation, contrary to faith alone.
Corruption of the Gospel
Les explains that the Judaizers polluted Paul's gospel by adding requirements, making it a corrupted message that Paul had to correct.
Secret Tactics of False Teachers
Les describes how false teachers came in secretly, like those in Galatia, to spy on the liberty believers had, using deceptive methods.
Did the Disciples Understand the Cross? Luke 18 Explained
They're wrong. So always rest on the fact that if you're going to be a true student of Scripture, you're going to be a child of God, you're going to be in a mighty small minority, and it's getting smaller every day. All right, now back to Galatians, verse 11. But he says, I certify you, brethren, I guarantee that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Galatians 1:6-7: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians are turning to a corrupted gospel, which is the false teaching he refutes.
Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
This verse shows the consequence of embracing the false teaching of Law-keeping for salvation, emphasizing the rejection of grace.
They required circumcision and strict adherence to the Law of Moses, teaching that faith alone was insufficient for salvation (Clip 4).
Paul wrote to correct the Galatians from embracing a corrupted gospel that mixed faith with works, which was leading them away from the true gospel of grace (Clip 5).
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Paul Spend Three Years Alone Before Preaching? — Galatians Explained