Why does Paul have a problem with the Galatians that follow the law?

Answer

The Galatian church had a problem with people who continued to insist on a strict observance of the Mosaic Law alone for any hope of Heaven. Paul wasn't against following the law per se, but rather in trusting in the law that showed sin rather than in Christ, who died to save mankind from their sins. In the latter is the gospel ("good news"), not in the law. Anyhow, some of the Galatians may have been some of those who insisted that Gentiles follow all of the Mosaic law � not just the commandments, but also the ritual cleansing laws, the law of circumcision, and other items that Paul determined were for the Jews alone; see Acts 15:1-32 and Romans 2:17-3:31, as well as Galatians 5-6.

The "law" that Paul was referring to was the Mosaic Law. This was the law code given to Moses which cosisted of some 300 laws and statutes that the nation of Isreal was given, the most well known part being the "Ten Commandments." This law included requiremnets to perform certain sacrifices on certain days, it required many festivals, and required many different sabbaths. It also required all males be circumcised.

Something interesting about this law is that it was binding apon the nation of Isreal at that time, and it had a purpose and a fullfilment. The law code's purpose was "to make transgressions manifest, until the seed should arrive to whom the promise had been made .�.�. Consequently the Law has become our tutor [or, teacher] leading to Christ.� (Galatians 3:19-24) The special purpose of the Law was to protect and guide the nation of Israel so that they might be ready to accept Christ when he arrived. The many sacrifices required by the Law reminded the Israelites that they were sinners who needed a Savior.�Hebrews 10:1-4.

It also set them, apart from the surrounding nations who were steeped in false religion with it's immoral rituals and even chld sacrifices to false gods, so that they would be clean and the perfect son of God could come through that line of Abraham.

Jesus Christ was the promised Savior, even as the angel proclaimed at his birth. (Luke 2:8-14) So when Christ came and gave his perfect life as a sacrifice, what happened to the Law? It was removed. �We are no longer under a tutor,� Paul explained. (Galatians 3:25) The removal of the Law was a relief to the Israelites. It had shown them up as sinners, for all of them fell short of keeping that Law perfectly. �Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law,� Paul said. (Galatians 3:10-14) So the Bible also says: �Christ is the end of the Law.��Romans 10:4; 6:14. The Bible also tells us at Colossians 2:14, that God "..blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake."

Some persons, however, say that the Law is divided into two parts: The Ten Commandments, and the rest of the laws. The rest of the laws, they say, are what ended, but the Ten Commandments remain. Yet this is not true. In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus quoted from the Ten Commandments as well as other parts of the Law and made no distinction between them. Jesus thus showed that the law of Moses was not divided into two parts.�Matthew 5:21-42.

Paul was inspired by God to write: �Now we have been discharged from the Law.� Was it only the laws other than the Ten Commandments that the Jews were discharged from? No, for Paul goes on to say: �Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: �You must not covet.�� (Romans 7:6,�7; Exodus 20:17) Since �You must not covet� is the last one of the Ten Commandments, it follows that the Israelites were discharged from the Ten Commandments also.

Jesus introduced a �new covenant,� based on the better sacrifice of his own perfect human life. Christians come under this new covenant and are subject to Christian laws. (Hebrews 8:7-13; Luke 22:20) This is also called the "law of the Christ," since Christ put it into affect with his own blood. (Galations 6:2) Many of the of same principles from the Mosaic Law carry over to this new law, such as prohibitions against murder, stealing, adultery, and the like. But many other things go deeper than the Mosaic Law, such as things pertaining to one's heart condition.

Paul was concerned that there were those in the Christian congregation that were still clinging to that Mosaic Law, and inducing others to still follow it, thus not fully putting faith in Jesus sacrifice.

Answer

The difficulty with understanding the situation that Paul was addressing in the letter to the Galatians is two-fold. Firstly, we need to understand the situation of the church back then- the context into which these words were spoken. As this has been dealt with quite well above I will only comment on the second, viz. the fact that many religious systems today, including some that have the name of 'Christian' are essentially works-based systems.

Many people associate Christianity with a system of 'do's and don'ts' and as something that involves a whole lot of work on their part to please God and earn his favor. In reality much of what has developed in Christian circles over the centuries has gotten away from the fact that the Christian faith is really about the person and work of Jesus Christ and where we as individuals stand in relationship to him. When people see churches they see a lot of activity and a lot of programs but they may not always see the person of Jesus clearly portrayed in all his simple, yet powerful, mercy, majesty and love.

Jesus in his own lifetime on earth spoke against human traditions that separated men from God's true intentions for them. He tried to cut through a lot of the religiosity of his day to show men how God cared for them. This is one reason we see many examples of his compassion for the sick. A compassion that seemed to be sadly lacking in some of the religious leaders of his day. Paul was, for the Galatians, trying to preserve this simple truth of a 'Gospel of Grace' where God would remain freely accessible to all, not the privileged possession of religions 'high achievers'.

answer

Because the Galatians were the true follower of Jesus and follows JC' instruction to the letters.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

• And Paul is the anti-Christ that preached that the Mosaic Law is no more.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

see link on left " Are the laws of the Old Testament still binding?"

First answer by ID1200355566. Last edit by Itchie.c2. Contributor trust: 619 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 18 [recommend question]