What were the main arguments of Paul's opponents in Galatia

What were the main arguments of Paul’s opponents in Galatia?

What arguments did Paul use to respond to them?

Undoubtedly,the author of Galatians was Paul and it may have been the earliest of his letters. It’s brief, emotional and controversial, and its importance far exceeds its size. Martin Luther, claimed Galatians as ‘my epistle. I am married to it’ and this letter became the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.

Paul’s letter is addressed to the churches in Galatia (Galatians 1.2) but the location of these churches is a matter of debate. A minority of scholars have argued that ‘Galatia’ is an ethnic reference to a Celtic people living in northern Asia Minor, but there is no evidence that Paul ever visited that region. The majority favour the view that the letter was probably written about AD 48 to Christians in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia and sent to the churches Paul had established on his first missionary journey – in Pisidian, Derbe, Lystra, Antioch and Iconium about AD 46. (Acts 13-14).

It wasn’t long before other teachers claiming to have the authority and backing of the Jerusalem church questioned Paul’s apostleship and teaching. They insisted on Christians observing Jewish laws so when Paul allowed Gentiles to join the church without requiring any of these things, trouble was inevitable. The Galatians were in a dilemma. Here were two sets of teachers, each claiming to bring God’s truth, but contradicting one another. Who do they choose? Frustratingly, we only know what the teachers said to the Galatians, by working it out from Paul’s answers to them in his letter!

The letter falls conveniently into three sections as Paul deals in turn with what is regarded as three false i...

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...ues continually in his letters for the importance of doing the right things, but the works spring from faith and by leading a life in the ‘fruits of the spirit’ frees us from the law. (Galatians 5.22) It is faith that makes us love others and obedience to Christ that makes us offer others a helping hand. (6.2).

‘See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!’ (Galatians 6.11) This may be an implication that Paul had bad eyesight, but he may have been wanting to emphasise his final simple message: the cross of Christ is what matters.

Paul ends this powerful letter with a simple summary of his message. ‘It doesn’t matter if you are circumcised or not. All that matters is to be created anew in Jesus Christ and to be inspired by his spirit.’ ‘Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.’ (Galatians 6.15)