The Message of Yeshua Leads to Freedom (A Review of the Letter to the Galatians)

This article is translated using AI tools, we apologize for any unintentional mistakes that may occur.

Today, we have a particularly challenging topic. As Peter observed, all of Paul’s letters are quite complex. A distinct feature of the Letter to the Galatians is that it is likely Paul’s earliest letter—possibly even the earliest letter in the New Testament. It is possible that no Gospel had been written yet, and many scholars consider this text the earliest Christian writing.

We must note another important detail. In most communities in Asia Minor, including those in Galatia, the majority of believers were illiterate. This is why letters were read aloud. When we read Paul’s letters today, we analyze them, reread them, and still sometimes struggle to grasp their full meaning. Now, imagine hearing Paul’s letter for the first time in a crowded Galatian church. This gives us insight into how challenging it was for the early Christians to fully comprehend his teachings.

Introduction to the Letter

Paul begins his letters by introducing himself in various ways. In this case, he presents himself as a messenger, not sent by men nor through men, but through the Messiah, appointed by God the Father. Right from the opening verses, we see a central theme emerge—the contrast between human authority and divine authority. Paul emphasizes that he was not sent by people, nor did he learn from them. Instead, he received his knowledge directly from the resurrected Yeshua.

After his greeting, Paul usually offers praise and thanksgiving in most of his letters. He thanks God for the Corinthian Church, for the Roman Church—but notably, he does not express similar gratitude for the Galatian Church. Instead, he immediately addresses his astonishment: “I am astonished, dear Galatians.” However, this astonishment is not positive. He rebukes them, saying: “So quickly you have turned away from the Good News. You have accepted another gospel, which is not really good at all, but people have come to deceive you.” Paul is deeply troubled by the situation in Galatia.

The Situation in Galatia

Paul had been in Galatia, preaching the Word of God and the Good News. But what was this Good News? What made it good? The dividing wall that had once separated the Gentiles from God had been torn down. The Gentiles could now be purified through Messiah Yeshua and welcomed into the service of the Most High. The distinction between Jews and Gentiles had been erased by Yeshua’s work.

The Galatians were enthusiastic believers, eager to learn. However, some individuals took advantage of this eagerness. They came and said: “Believing in Yeshua is good, of course, but it is not enough. Where is circumcision? Do you think we can now speak as equals with the uncircumcised? No, that is not enough purification. If you want to be pure, you must be circumcised. You must also wash your hands and observe the purification rituals.”

Paul was outraged. He responded with an unusually sharp tone, warning the Galatians: “Anyone who delivers another message—exclude them!” He repeats this for emphasis: “Exclude them!”

At the time, we have very few documents, but among them are records from the sect of the Ebionites. The Ebionites—whose name means “poor” in Hebrew—considered themselves spiritually humble. They viewed Paul with skepticism, claiming: “Paul was a Gentile who deceitfully tricked Hillel and converted. He seeks fame, recognition, and wealth. That is why he tells the Gentiles what they want to hear—so they will support him financially.” They accused him of deceiving people by saying circumcision was unnecessary, insisting instead that full adherence to Jewish law was required.

Paul’s Defense

Throughout his letters, Paul often finds himself defending his apostleship against those who accuse him of being a false teacher. In his defense, he shares his personal journey: “If I wanted to please people, I would not be serving the Messiah today. You have heard about my former life in Judaism.”

We know that Paul once persecuted the early Church. The Book of Acts tells us that he had the authority to obtain official documents from the high priest, proving that he was no ordinary man. He was an educated and influential figure, likely on track to becoming a well-known rabbi.

However, on the road to Damascus, he abandoned that prestigious career. After his revelation, he did not immediately go to Jerusalem to seek validation from the apostles. Instead, he went to Arabia—a remote and desolate place. Whether he preached there or spent time in solitude is unclear, but Arabia was certainly not a place to seek human recognition.

Later, Paul went to Jerusalem and stayed with Peter for two weeks. The entire first chapter of Galatians is dedicated to proving that Paul was not seeking human authority.

Paul’s Confrontation with Peter

In Antioch, Peter had been eating with Gentiles. However, when certain radical believers from Jerusalem arrived, Peter withdrew, fearing their judgment. Paul saw this as hypocrisy and confronted him. He did not share this story to shame Peter but to emphasize that he himself did not seek human approval.

The Role of the Law

Paul explains that the Law (Torah) was given because of transgressions, but it does not make a person righteous. Even strict observance of the Law does not automatically grant righteousness. True righteousness comes only through Yeshua. The Galatians had received the Holy Spirit not by following the Law but through faith. Yet, some were now trying to introduce a “Yeshua plus” system—faith in Yeshua plus circumcision, plus Jewish rituals, plus purification rites.

Paul laments: “Foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” He reminds them that Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised, demonstrating that non-Jews can also be justified through faith.

Paul emphasizes that righteousness is not attained through external adherence to Jewish customs. What truly matters is faith in Yeshua. He warns that even a small amount of false teaching can corrupt everything, just as “a little leaven leavens the whole dough.”

Conclusion

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is not a rejection of the Law itself, but rather a warning to Gentile believers not to burden themselves with Jewish legalistic traditions as a requirement for righteousness. Paul urges them not to adopt Jewish customs merely for appearances but to understand that in Yeshua, both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Holy Spirit and salvation.

With urgency, Paul pleads with the Galatians not to fall into the trap of adding unnecessary burdens to their faith. He concludes with a powerful statement: “Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation in Messiah.”

In essence, the Letter to the Galatians is a passionate defense of the true Gospel—faith in Yeshua alone, without additional requirements.