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What did Rabbi Sha'ul (Paul)
really mean in Galatians
Many misunderstand the writings of Rabbi Sha’ul (Paul) in his letter to the Galatians. This misunderstanding has created doctrines that pit the clear teachings of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus the Christ) that Torah is still to be taught and followed (Matt 5:17-19 – “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 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. 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.”) Pitting Sha’ul against Messiah is a totally untenable position due to two facts: 1. Their teachings do not contradict when understood in the contextual, cultural and historical setting, 2. If the did contradict, Messiah, who is the living Torah and the Elohim himself, would always be correct, and Sha’ul would have been a false teacher. Background Let’s look at one of the passages from Galatians to help clarify. First we must understand that the scriptures Sha’ul refers to are the Tanakh (Christians tend to call it the Old Testament, Messianics prefer the First Covenant), as the B’rit Chadasha (New or renewed Covenant) had not be written at this time. We must also understand, that the only Gospel they had in Galatia, would be either a letter, or word of mouth from a believer or Emissary (Apostle), such as Paul (Sha’ul). Galatia was a region in Turkey, roughly where modern Ankara is. It was settled in 325 BCE\BC by Gauls. The predominate ethnic background was mixed Gaul & Greek. There was a Jewish presence in Galatia. The letter When reading Galatians, it is very important to keep the facts listed above in mind, and to remember this is a literal letter, written to a literal church, suffering from the addition of a false doctrine. The letter is written specifically to Gentiles, who contrary to Acts 15 are being taught that they must be circumcised, and rigorously keep the entire Torah (referred to as Law in the text) to be saved. The main point of discussion is circumcision, with many teaching circumcision, which is required to convert to Judaism, was required of Gentile believers. This teaching clearly violates the teachings in Acts 15, as laid down by the Jerusalem Elders (Yochanan (John), Kefa, (Peter), and Ya’akov (James)). Below is a selected text using the Complete Jewish Bible. I think you will agree, that Sha’ul and Messiah are in complete Harmony. 3 But they didn’t force my Gentile companion Titus to undergo b’rit-milah. 4 Indeed, the question came up only because some men who pretended to be brothers had been sneaked in — they came in surreptitiously to spy out the freedom we have in the Messiah Yeshua, so that they might enslave us. 5 Not even for a minute did we give in to them, so that the truth of the Good News might be preserved for you. 6 Moreover, those who were the acknowledged leaders — what they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by outward appearances — these leaders added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the Uncircumcised, just as Kefa had been for the Circumcised; 8 since the One working in Kefa to make him an emissary to the Circumcised had worked in me to make me an emissary to the Gentiles. 9 So, having perceived what grace had been given to me, Ya‛akov, Kefa and Yochanan, the acknowledged pillars of the community, extended to me and Bar-Nabba the right hand of fellowship; so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the Circumcised. 10 Their only request was that we should remember the poor — which very thing I have spared no pains to do. 11 Furthermore,
when Kefa came to 17 But if, in seeking to be declared righteous by God through our union with the Messiah, we ourselves are indeed found to be sinners, then is the Messiah an aider and abettor of sin? Heaven forbid! 18 Indeed, if I build up again the legalistic bondage which I destroyed, I really do make myself a transgressor. 19 For it was through letting the Torah speak for itself that I died to its traditional legalistic misinterpretation, so that I might live in direct relationship with God. 20 When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless. a a Psalm 143:2 Below is the same text using the KJV (King James Version).
Where the text uses Law, substitute Legalistic keeping of Torah
(for Salvation). I think you will agree, that it now makes perfect
sense, and Sha’ul and Messiah are in complete Harmony. Note also
the use of compelled, further making the point, as it is the
Legalistic forcing of adherence to Torah that is being discussed,
not the walking in Torah to please G-d, and emulate His perfect
son, that Messiah told us would not pass away. But neither Titus, who was with me,
being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because
of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy
out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might
bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no,
not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with
you. 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they
were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:)
for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to
me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the
uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the
circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in
Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty
in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John,
who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto
me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship;
that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the
circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor;
the same which I also was forward to do. Blessings,
BeShem Yeshua! Understanding Scripture in the
original Literal, Contextual, Historical & Cultural meaning. |
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