Judaizers Versus Paul

What the Judaizers said about Paul

Paul's defense

They said he was perverting the truth.

He received his message from Christ himself (1:11, 12).

They said he was a traitor to the Jewish faith.

Paul was one of the most dedicated Jews of his time. Yet, in the midst of one of his most zealous acts, God transformed him through a revelation of the Good News about Jesus (1:13-16; Acts 9:1-30).

They said he compromised and watered down his message for the Gentiles.

The other apostles declared that the message Paul preached was the true gospel (2:1-10).

They said he was disregarding the law of Moses.

Far from degrading the law, Paul puts the law in its proper place. He says it shows people where they have sinned, and it points them to Christ (3:19-29).

As the debate raged between the Gentile Christians and the Judaizers, Paul found it necessary to write to the churches in Galatia. The Judaizers were trying to undermine Paul's authority, and they taught a false gospel. In reply, Paul defended his authority as an apostle and the truth of his message. The debate over Jewish laws and Gentile Christians was officially resolved at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), yet it continued to be a point of contention after that time.