Paul warns the Judaizers, or false teachers in Galatia, against making “a fair show in the flesh,” meaning they desire to look good before other Christians and to impress other believers using money or status to manipulate other believers into following them. Paul cautions them against “making a show,” because doing so may lead to temptation that threatens Christian faith.
Judaizers attempted to force Galatian believers to be circumcised. They tried convincing the Galatians that circumcision was required in order to be considered true Christians; in reality though, being truly Christian doesn’t depend on any particular rituals or rites; being one comes through trusting in Christ alone for salvation – as Jesus died for their salvation! Galatian believers should remember this and put their trust solely in Christ alone for their salvation.
They wanted the Galatians to become circumcised so as to please other Jews, believing circumcision would provide protection in case persecution from Rome or other Jewish groups occurred. Galatians should bear in mind that persecution can arise for living faithfully for Christ and should therefore prepare themselves accordingly.
These false teachers also encouraged the Galatians to become circumcised so they could claim they were Jews and receive protection under Moses’s law. Their main focus was this issue – not so much the gospel itself nor what its effects might be on believers – rather, their concern was keeping Moses’s law as they could otherwise lose privileges in society if they failed.
Paul warns the Galatian believers against following Judaizers who attempt to control them through law, saying if they had truly kept it they wouldn’t be forced into circumcising themselves by false teachers like these Judaizers. This statement should remain with them.
Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians by praying for their spirit and calling them brothers – this shows just how deeply he valued and cared about them.
Debate exists as to whether Paul wrote this letter himself, since it was common practice at that time for writers to have someone else write their letters on their behalf. It seems likely, though, that Paul composed it himself; some believe he used large lettering, while his other letters may simply have been written in his handwriting.
