Following Paul's visit to Galatia on his first missionary journey, those who would undermine the teaching of Paul arrived and began to teach that the prople had not heard the whole truth regarding the gospel message. These men were opposed to Paul's teaching, for whatever reason, and taught that although salvation was by faith in Christ, perfection comes through the keeping of the Law.
Paul's letter to the Galatians, probably the first of his theological writings, is a masterful work in regard to the doctrine of justification. The doctrine in this letter is similar to Romans and, perhaps, served as the background for it. Seeing that Judaizers had entered into the church teaching that in order to be a Christian, one first had to become a proselyte to Judaism with its rites and ceremonies, particularly circumcision, Paul begins the book by defending his authority as an apostle, but quickly turns to the truth of justification by faith, without the addition of any works at all:
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— (Galatians 3:1-5)
This powerful book was of relatively high importance during the Reformation and was a favorite of Martin Luther.
Click on the link to read day 30: 2 Corinthians 5:1-Galatians 1:24
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