Yes, the issue was Judaizers imposing Jewish law on Gentile believers, which Paul firmly rejected.
Paul addressed the threat of Judaizers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law to be saved. He countered this by emphatically teaching that believers are under grace, not law, and by defending his unique gospel to the Gentiles. The situation was urgent, prompting him to write the letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 1:6-7 — Paul expressed astonishment that the Galatians were turning to a different gospel, which was the crux of the Judaizer issue.
In Galatians, Paul confronts a perversion of the gospel. He writes to the churches in Galatia, which he had established, and expresses shock that they are so quickly deserting the one who called them in grace for a different gospel (Galatians 1:6). This 'different gospel' was not really another gospel but a distortion, brought by those who were troubling them and wanting to pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7). The issue at hand was that some were teaching that circumcision and keeping the law of Moses were necessary for salvation (Acts 15:1, 5). Paul, however, had received his gospel by revelation from Jesus Christ and communicated it to the Jerusalem leaders, explicitly the gospel he preached among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:2). He confronted even Peter for withdrawing from Gentile believers out of fear of the circumcision party (Galatians 2:11-12).
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Judaizers were believers in Jesus as the Messiah but failed to grasp that the law had been fulfilled and set aside. They followed Paul everywhere, insisting that Gentile converts could not be saved unless they embraced Judaism, practiced circumcision, and kept the law. This caused Paul great distress and urgency, leading him to write the Galatian letter quickly to admonish these believers not to give in. Les highlights that works appeal to human intellect, which made the Christians in Galatia susceptible to this false teaching. Furthermore, Les explains that Paul went to Jerusalem by revelation and communicated his unique gospel to the leaders, a gospel that Peter and the eleven had not yet fully comprehended, because they found it hard to accept that God would reconcile pagan Gentiles apart from Judaism. This meeting, as recorded in Galatians 2, included a confrontation with Peter over his withdrawal from Gentile believers.
Les describes Judaizers as believers who accepted Jesus as the Christ, saved under the kingdom gospel, but still insisted on keeping the law. They followed Paul, telling his converts they had to be circumcised and keep the law to be saved. They even commanded that these practices be imposed on Gentile believers, as seen in Acts at Antioch, where some Jewish believers insisted it was necessary to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Paul wrote Galatians because he got wind that the Gentile churches he had established in Asia Minor were 'besieged with Judaizers' and were turning back to legalism. He did not wait for his secretary but wrote the letter himself, using large letters due to poor eyesight, because of the urgency of the situation. He wanted to admonish them not to give in, reminding them that they were not under the law but under grace.
Paul responded by going up to Jerusalem by revelation and communicating the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the leaders, including Peter and the eleven. He made it clear that they could not force Gentile believers under the law. He also confronted Peter for withdrawing from Gentile believers up at Antioch when Jewish believers came from Jerusalem, showing his commitment to the truth of the gospel.
Grace in the Gospels
Les notes that grace is not the focus in the Gospels, which helps explain why the Judaizers, living in a transitional period, had trouble accepting grace over law.
Urgency to Write
Les explains that Paul wrote Galatians quickly and personally because he learned the Galatians were being influenced by Judaizers to keep the law, and he had to act urgently.
Paul Summoned to Jerusalem
Les notes that Paul and Barnabas were called before the Jerusalem leaders for going to Gentiles, reflecting the Jewish believers' difficulty accepting that God intended grace for Gentiles.
Purpose of Galatians
Les states that the purpose of Galatians was to tell Gentile believers they are not under law but under grace, because Judaizers were insisting they keep the law to be saved.
A Command, Not a Suggestion
Les highlights that the demand for Gentile circumcision was a commandment, and Paul argued that these believers cannot be forced under the law since they are under grace.
Paul's Gospel Communicated
Les explains that Paul communicated his unique gospel to the Jerusalem leaders, emphasizing that it was distinct from what Peter and others preached, and that Peter had no significant Gentile ministry.
Judaizers' Persistence
Les describes Judaizers as saved believers who didn't comprehend grace, constantly following Paul and telling his converts they must practice Judaism and keep the law.
Peter's Confrontation
Les uses Peter's withdrawal from Gentile believers to illustrate the difficulty even Jewish apostles had in leaving the law, and Paul's confrontation of Peter when he withdrew.
Galatians 1:6: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Paul expresses his astonishment that the Galatians are turning to a different gospel, the very problem caused by Judaizers.
Galatians 1:7: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
This verse identifies the troublemakers who were distorting the gospel.
Galatians 2:2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Paul describes going to Jerusalem to communicate his gospel, showing the apostolic validation of his message.
Galatians 2:11-12: But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
This records Paul's confrontation with Peter over his hypocrisy concerning Gentile believers, illustrating the tension of the law vs. grace.
Galatians 4:19: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Paul expresses his deep concern for the Galatians, showing the urgency of his appeal.
According to Les Feldick, Judaizers were believers in Jesus as the Messiah but who still did not understand that the law had been satisfied and set aside. They insisted that Gentile Christians must also keep the Jewish law, including circumcision, to be truly saved.
Les explains that because the Galatian churches were being besieged by Judaizers and turning back to legalism, Paul wrote the letter urgently. He didn't wait for his secretary, writing it himself due to the urgency.
Paul emphasized that believers are not under the law but under grace. He argued that Gentile believers cannot be forced to keep the law of Moses, since they are saved by grace alone through faith.
Yes. In Galatians 2:2, Paul says he went up by revelation and communicated his gospel to those of reputation, showing that his message was recognized by the apostles.
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