Many Christians today are using the word “law” said by Paul in Galatians out of context. We know that once we have the “spirit of truth” the Holy Spirit , we are guided to all truth. It is the job of the Holy Sprit to guide us and help us “see” what His holy word says. If we believe in false interpretations of His word, we open ourselves up to other deceits.
In the beginning of Galatians, Paul starts right out in (Gal.1:6) ” I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”As can be seen Paul was not happy with the false doctrines going around (so quickly after the birth of Christianity). The Devil wasted no time getting distortions and falsehoods planted.
Paul went on to explain he was “extremely zealous” for His people and their “traditions”prior to his conversion. We know from Jesus’ many rebukes to the pharisees and other religious people, that “these” people were NOT practicing the true obeying of His Holy Ten commandments. Rather, they were excelling in cumbersome and man induced rules and regulations. They were also VERY strict in obeying the Mosiac laws, as Paul was. Jesus saw right through their hypocrisy. For if they had truly kept the Holy 10, Jesus would have NEVER rebuked them! And Jesus was the ONLY one who could have rebuked them because He NEVER broke them. To be an example of our Christian walk.
Then in chapter two, Paul gives us our first BIG CLUE, what Paul has in mind in discussing the “law” further on. In (gal 2:3) he says “NOT even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the ‘freedom’ we have in Christ Jesus and to make us ‘slaves’. ” ok, let’s see what was just said. First, Paul mentions “circumcision” then he says NOT to be slaves again. Now, what “law” had circumcision? It was the Mosiac law! The Holy 10 had no such requirement.
Next, Paul tells how he imparted his beliefs that Peter was practicing prejudice against people who were NOT obeying the “Mosiac laws”. In this case, Peter seperating himself from uncircumcised believers. Paul clearly said that this was “wrong”. Then Paul says in (Gal 2:15) ” We (true believers in Christ) who are Jews by birth, and not Gentile sinners, know that a man is NOT justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” Again it is plainly obvious “what” law Paul is speaking about. Infact Paul further seperates the “law” vs. the “Moral law” later when he says in (1 Cor.7:19) “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the KEEPING of the Commandments is what matters.”
Can we start to see clearly “which” law Paul has in mind? Paul concludes chapter two with ” I did not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the ‘law’, Christ died for nothing.” In other words, all the rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices one did and obeyed should have “saved” that individual, hence no need for Christ. But Paul states the ‘law’ meaning Mosiac laws could NOT do this. They only foreshadowed Christ.
In chapter three, Paul continues in his same line of thinking about the “Mosiac law” and NOT the holy 10. (Gal 3:1-2) “You foolish Galatians!….I would like to learn one thing from you: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” Here again Paul points out the ‘law’ was no longer the way to Christ and whereby the Holy Spirit comes from. Then later in (3:24) “So the law was put in place to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” This was SO CLEARLY shown by the temple curtain being split in two upon Christ’s death. That symbolized the end of animal sacrifices as Christ had become the “once and for all” sacrifice for our sins. The very temple where they also practiced many of their Mosiac rituals and ceremonies.
In concluding it can defintely be said Galatians teaches us that the “law” Paul speaks about is the Mosiac law. It would make no sense if Paul meant the Holy 10 Commandment Law, when discussing a Mosiac custom called circumcision. Additionally, can we honestly think we are “no longer under” the Law that says(among other things) murder, stealing, adultery is wrong? Paul would indeed be speaking NOT from the Holy Spirit if he was to teach this!
May Christ be with you and the Holy Sprit guide you in understanding His word.
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