Yes, the book of Galatians was written to correct false teaching and bring the churches back under the pure grace of God.
According to Les Feldick, the Galatian churches Paul established in Asia Minor were being besieged by Judaizers who insisted that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul wrote this letter urgently to admonish them not to give in, emphasizing that they are not under Law but under grace.
Galatians 1:11 — Paul certifies that the gospel he preached was not of man, countering the Judaizers' perversion.
The book of Galatians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia, which were being troubled by false teachers known as Judaizers. These teachers, coming from Judaea, insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved (Acts 15:1). They were 'certain men who came down from Judaea' teaching, 'Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.' The Bible records that these men were of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, and they commanded that the Gentiles be circumcised and keep the Law, attaching salvation to these works (Acts 15:5).
Les Feldick teaches that the book of Galatians was written because the churches Paul founded in Asia Minor were being bombarded by Judaizers—Jewish believers who insisted that Gentile converts must embrace Judaism, practice circumcision, and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. He emphasizes that these false teachers were following Paul everywhere, trying to pervert his Gospel of grace. Paul wrote the letter urgently, even with poor eyesight, to refute this legalism and to admonish the believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ had given them, reminding them they are not under Law but under grace.
Les Feldick explains that the Judaizers were Jewish believers who came down from Judaea and insisted that Gentile converts to Paul's Gospel must also be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. They commanded this, attaching salvation to it, rather than merely suggesting it as an aid to holiness. They followed Paul everywhere, trying to pervert his Gospel.
Paul wrote the letter to Galatians hurriedly because of the urgency of the hour. He was 'frantically responding' to the false teaching that had infiltrated the congregations. In the letter, he constantly warns the believers not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which is legalism, and to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free.
The Judaizers' Command
Les explains that the Judaizers commanded circumcision and Law-keeping as necessary for salvation, perverting Paul's Gospel.
Purpose of Galatians
Les states that Galatians was written to tell the Gentile churches they are not under Law but under grace, because Judaizers were following Paul everywhere.
Not Under Law, Under Grace
Les notes that Galatians contains a constant warning against adding anything to the Gospel, emphasizing that believers are not under Law.
Urgency and Legalism
Les describes how Paul wrote the letter urgently because the Galatians were turning back to legalism, as works appeal to human intellect.
What Is Truth? Jesus Christ Explained Verse by Verse
Galatians chapter 1. Galatians chapter 1. And let's just drop in at verse 11, 12, somewhere in there. Let's start at verse 11. Now we'll be teaching the book of Galatians verse by verse in just a little while, as soon as we finish 2 Corinthians, so I don't want to take all my thunder away. But here in Galatians chapter 1, verse 11, he says, "...I am afraid of you.
Why the Twelve Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem — Acts 1 & 8
I'm going to go back to Acts again in just a minute, so keep your hand in it. Go with me to Galatians, all the way to Galatians. This is Paul's little letter now to the Gentile churches that he had established up there in Asia Minor, which is now the land of Turkey. And this is about twenty-two years after Pentecost, twenty-two years after Pentecost.
What Does It Mean to Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice?
Remember Galatians is written because these believers were being hammered by the Jewish believers to come back under the law, to practice circumcision and Judaism to the fullest extent. Paul had to write this little letter to refute all that. We're not under the law. We're not under any demands of those commandments, and so instead he says in verse 1 of chapter 5, "...stand fast therefore.
Frantically Responding
Les explains that Paul was frantically responding to false teachers who claimed salvation required circumcision and Law-keeping, not faith alone.
Acts 15:1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
This verse shows the source of the false teaching that prompted Paul's letter to the Galatians.
Acts 15:5: But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
This verse indicates that even believing Pharisees insisted on circumcision and Law-keeping for salvation.
Galatians 1:11: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Paul asserts the divine origin of his Gospel, countering the Judaizers' perversion.
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 commands believers to resist legalism and remain in the freedom of grace.
Paul wrote Galatians to refute false teachers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. He wanted to bring the churches back to the pure grace of God.
The Judaizers were Jewish believers who followed Paul's ministry, teaching that salvation required embracing Judaism and keeping the Law. They commanded circumcision and Law-keeping as necessary for salvation.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Galatians Fell for a Corrupted Gospel — Explained