Few books of the Bible have caused as much controversy as Paul's letter to the Galatians. To grasp the meaning behind what Paul writes, we must understand the historical and cultural background of the book and the major reasons he felt compelled to write to the Galatian Christians. Paul wrote this mid-first century letter in a setting where problems arose from efforts to integrate Gentiles into what many perceived as a Jewish church, with some factions drawing people away from trusting in Christ for justification and toward legalism and customs like circumcision. The primary thrust of the letter shows the Galatians that forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God come only through trusting in Christ's sacrifice. Secondarily, Paul explains how Gentile and Jewish converts are now one, breaking down old cultural barriers with mutual love and respect. In Galatians 3:6-9, Paul explains that those who have faith in Christ are sons of Abraham, and Scripture prophesied about the Gentiles being justified by faith. In verses 10-13, he states that no one can be justified by the law because it pronounces a curse upon the sinner, but Christ has redeemed us from this curse so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through faith. In verses 15-18, Paul shows that the Old Covenant does not negate the covenant made with Abraham, emphasizing that the promises to Abraham remain valid. Verse 17 confirms that when Paul speaks of the law, he also refers to the entire Old Covenant, using the terms synonymously. Paul further illustrates in Galatians 3:21-22 that no one can obtain eternal life through the terms of the Old Covenant, as everlasting life comes by faith through the promise made to Abraham. In verses 23-24, he describes the law as a guardian or custodian to protect Israel from sinful, pagan cultures until Christ came. In verses 25-27, Paul states that after faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and those baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Since Christ has come, the Old Covenant rules that isolated Israel from other ethnic groups are no longer needed, and the church, as a spiritual organism, includes people of all races and nationalities who repent and keep God's spiritual laws as magnified by Jesus. Paul addresses the problems caused by loyalty to outmoded regulations, which created hostility between Jews and Gentiles in the church, aiming to eradicate the heresy drawing the Galatians away from faith in Christ. He emphasizes that in Christ, distinctions like Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female do not matter, as all are one in Him and heirs of the promise made to Abraham. Galatians 3 concerns the passing of the Old Covenant, the elimination of rules separating Jew and Gentile, and the acceptance of Gentiles into the church as equal heirs of God's promises. Paul shows that the Old Covenant was a temporary addition to the covenant with Abraham, necessitated by Israel's transgressions of God's holy laws, which have been in full force since Creation.

In the book of Galatians, Paul begins by defending his apostleship and the authenticity of his message, stating that his office as an apostle was equal to that of the twelve and that his message came by special revelation from Jesus Christ. Sandwiched between these defenses, Paul introduces the theme of the death of Jesus Christ and the electing will of God, which becomes central to his arguments throughout the epistle. The primary enemy Paul addresses in Galatians is a syncretism of Gnosticism and Judaism, primarily a Judaistic enemy with elements of Gnosticism. This enemy was not merely about belief in the God of the Jews or accepting a few Jewish beliefs, but rather about accepting and living under the entire Pharisaic/Sadducean lifestyle, combined with demon-driven Gnosticism. Paul's background in Judaism, which he considered a national religion drawing somewhat on the Bible but not the true religion of Moses or Ezra, is contrasted with the true way of justification. The Jews in Galatia were deceived into accepting this mixture of Gnosticism and Judaism as the religion of the New Covenant, defining their relationship with God through halakha, the Jewish way of life, rather than God's law. Paul argues that this Jewish way of life, which he refers to as the traditions of his fathers, was the yoke that could not be borne. This issue was also the subject of the council in Acts 15, where the Jerusalem council decided not to burden Gentile converts with more than four requirements from the law of Moses, recognizing that the Gentiles would hear the law of Moses preached in synagogues. Paul emphasizes that justification is an act of God through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law alone. He clarifies that faith without works is dead, and that works, when coupled with faith in Jesus Christ, are essential for justification and sanctification. The people in Galatia were not keeping God's law but were trying to impose halakha on others.

The Book of Galatians presents a challenge due to the potential misunderstanding of terminology Paul uses, which differs from our modern perspective. This misunderstanding can lead to conclusions that do not align with Paul's intentions or God's overall purpose. In Galatians 5, Paul addresses terms that might mislead readers, emphasizing the need to understand these terms as he used them to avoid drawing incorrect conclusions. The central theme of Galatians is justification, not sanctification or glorification. Paul approaches this subject from various angles throughout the epistle, which can be confusing if one is not familiar with his terminology. His consistent message is that justification comes through the grace of God and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, not through keeping the law. Paul's use of the term "yoke of bondage" in Galatians 5:1 is often misinterpreted by Protestant commentators who link it to Acts 15:10 and equate it with God's law. However, Paul's point is not that the law itself is a burden, but rather that justification does not come through law-keeping. The law is not a yoke of bondage; rather, it is the approach to justification and salvation that relies on a combination of Jewish ritualistic legalism and pagan practices, while avoiding the sacrifice of Christ, that Paul refers to as a yoke of bondage. Paul clarifies that the law is not done away with but is essential in the context of faith and love. He instructs the Galatians to keep the commandments, emphasizing that faith works through love, and the foundation of love is keeping God's commandments. The Spirit of God, which leads to justification, does not conflict with God's law but rather enables believers to fulfill it. In summary, the Book of Galatians emphasizes that justification comes through faith in Christ's sacrifice and not through law-keeping. Paul's use of terms like "yoke of bondage" and "under the law" must be understood in the context of his message about justification, which is central to the entire epistle.