Galatians — Paul’s War on Jewry
The Battle Against the Tares in the Garden
The only way to get rid of the weeds is to actually get your feet in the garden, identify the troublemakers choking your plants, and pull them up by hand. Weeds steal the moisture from the ground, robbing your plant of its vital needs. Moisture extracts the nutrients from the soil and delivers those vital nutrients to the plant. The weeds prohibit this transfer.
In his own lawful way of speaking, Paul jumps in feet first into the garden of the Believers in the four provinces of Galatia, to get rid of the tares of Judaism, causing all kinds of trouble.
All commentary in parenthesis inserted for clarity.
Galatians Chapter 1 —
Paul, an apostle — not from men nor through man, but through Yeshua the Christ and YoHeWah the Father, who raised him from the dead — and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from YoHeWah, our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our Mighty One and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. So be it.
No Other Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace (favor for obedience) of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Now, the critical thought question that has to be asked and answered is this:
Which group of people or which religion of the day is Paul referring to that has presented the Galatians with another gospel?
Was it the future lawless Christians who would be known today as Catholics and Protestants… Or was it the Jews of Judaism?
The Paul bashers and the Pauline Theists would infer that Paul is speaking from the perspective that all of the law is abolished, which makes him a false prophet… But in reality, as we shall see, Paul is rightly dividing the word of truth between the two sets of codified laws within Torah.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of YoHeWah? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul Called by The Almighty
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Yeshua the Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of YoHeWah violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
In other words, it takes an expert to fight against the enemy. One who was knee-deep in the error and has come out… An expert in deception.
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace (favor for obedience), was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles (the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel), I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
It is my opinion that these 3.5 years of time are a typology of what is about to occur with the Woman of Revelation 12. There were six months of Paul persecuting the Church after the resurrection of Christ. The road to Damascus event, where Paul was struck down. Then the 3 years of further training by Christ Himself in Arabia… This is a spot-on match of events laid out in Isaiah 21, from the LXX. Isaiah 21 ESV
In what I am writing to you, before The Almighty, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified YoHeWah because of me.
The message that will be delivered to the lawless Christians will be much the same. Just as many of us, for years, have tried to destroy the lawlessness of Christendom, as Paul was just that zealous, so too, our message will be one of reconciliation, via a much softer, now you know, message and explanation.
Galatians Chapter 2 —
Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles (The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel), to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in — who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Yeshua, so that they might bring us into slavery — to them (Pharisaical, Talmudic Judaism) we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Here, Paul introduces the crux of his epistle. Bondage through the religious slavery of the Levitical Priesthood versus the liberty (not freedom) of Covenant Law. Neither Christianity nor the Messianic Jews nor Hebrew Roots nor modern-day Judaism has any idea concerning this concept.
And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; YoHeWah shows no partiality) — those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
Modern-day INFLUENTIAL examples — Seminary Pastors and Teachers of Mega Christian Churches, Convert Rabbis from Judaism to Christianity, and even ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist and Sabbath Keeping Churches of God. All these fall into the category of the woman of Revelation 12:17, because of their insolence against the three doctrines that are given as a sign to the Woman of Revelation 12:1.
On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel), just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (Judaism) for He who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised (Judaism) worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles (The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace (favor for obedience) that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles (The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel) and they to the circumcised (Judaism). Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter
But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision (of Judaism) party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew (of Judaism), live like a Gentile (of the House of Israel) and not like a Jew (of Judaism), how can you force the Gentiles (of the House of Israel) to live like Jews (of Judaism)?”
This same battle rages today. Church leaders and so-called Rabbis, who have come out of Judaism, yet still carry the baggage of Judaism… Or even worse, self-appointed, un-ordained teachers, who now gravitate toward Judaism and all its man-made accoutrements, walk into Sabbath services, Feast events, with a religious charismatic appeal to those who marvel at such garbage. See Zechariah 13:1–6 and Jeremiah 23 (especially verse 20) for what YoHeWah thinks about these men.
Believers… Remove Religion From Your Theology. | by Joey Thompson | Medium
Justified by Faith
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified (made right — starting line) by works of the law (L.P. Law) but through faith (obedience) in Yeshua the Christ (Covenant Law), so we also have believed in Christ Yeshua, in order to be justified (made right, starting line) by faith (obedience) in Christ and not by works of the (L.P.) law, because by works of the (L.P.) law no one will be justified.
Being justified is to be made right, or to begin the race toward salvation.
Yeshua the Christ was the Covenant Law in the flesh.
The works of the law are the Levitical Priesthood (L.P.) laws, added and temporary. Please note… The works of the law are not the observance of Covenant Law.
But if, in our endeavor to be justified (made right — starting line) in Christ, we too were found to be sinners (Covenant Law Breakers), is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild (turn back to the L.P. law) what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the (L.P. Law) law I died to the law (L.P. Law), so that I might live to YoHeWah. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith (obedience) in the Son of YoHeWah (Covenant Law in the flesh), who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of YoHeWah, for if righteousness (obedience to Covenant Law) were through the (L.P.) law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians Chapter 3 —
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Yeshua the Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the (L.P.) law or by hearing with faith (obedience to Covenant Law)? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Loyalty) 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 (L.P.) law, or by hearing with faith (Covenant Law) — just as Abraham “believed YoHeWah, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Belief and Faith are the same thing… Both are manifested in obedience to YoHeWah’s Covenant Law, out of a willing heart within the Liberty given to man. Hebrews 3:18–19
Know then that it is those of faith (Covenant Law Keepers) who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that YoHeWah would justify (make right, place on the starting line) the Gentiles (Abraham’s descendants through Isaac) by faith (obedience), preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith (obedient) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For all who rely on works of the (L.P.) law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
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Mount Gerizim = The blessings of the Laws of Covenant — Simeon (Saturday Sabbath keepers), Levi (Devote Cohen), Judah (Baal worshipers), Issachar (calendar people), Joseph (Common Law), and Benjamin (genealogy experts). America and Canada side of the Jordan (Atlantic Ocean).
Mount Ebal = The curse of the Levitical Priesthood — Reuben (France), Gad (Germany), Asher, Zebulun (Scandinavian nations), Dan (Ireland, Denmark, judges) and Naphtali (Wales, lawyers). European side of the Jordan (Atlantic Ocean).
Now it is evident that no one is justified before The Almighty by the (L.P.) law, for “The righteous shall live by faith (obedience).” But the (L.P.) law is not of faith (obedience); contrariwise, “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us (Paid the price, buying us time to overcome) from the curse of the (L.P.) law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” — so that in Christ Yeshua the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (of the House of Israel), so that we might receive the promised (indwelling of His) Spirit through faith (obedience).
The Law and the Promise
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified (agreed to). Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one (singular), “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
This is what I mean: the (L.P.) law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by The Almighty, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the (L.P.) law, it no longer comes by promise; but YoHeWah gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Why then the (L.P.) law? It was added because of transgressions (The Golden Calf Event of Idolatry), until the offspring (Christ) should come to whom (the lost sheep of the House of Israel) the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary (Moses and the Law of Moses). Now an intermediary implies more than one (those who teach Moses, rightly dividing the word of truth), but YoHeWah is one (unified).
Is the (L.P.) law then contrary to the promises of YoHeWah? Certainly not! For if a (L.P.) law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the (L.P.) law. But the Scripture imprisoned (placed in bondage) everything under sin, so that the promise by faith (obedience) in Yeshua the Christ might be given to those who believe (and are obedient).
Now, before faith (obedience magnified by the embodiment of Christ, Yeshua) came, we were held captive under the (L.P.) law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the (L.P.) law was our guardian (tutor) until Christ came, in order that we might be justified (made right, starting over again) by faith (following in the obedience of Christ). But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian (the tutor of the L.P. Law), for in Christ Yeshua you are all sons of YoHeWah, through faith (obedience). For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (CHRIST IN YOU).
Again, the key to understanding Paul’s words in Galatians is to rightly divide the word of truth, which is to rightly divide between the two sets of codified laws within Torah. The original, eternal Covenant Law and the added, temporary Levitical Priesthood Law.
There is neither Jew (House of Judah or Judaism convert) nor Greek (Lost Sheep of Israel or Pagan convert), there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Yeshua.
The “Jew” and “Greek” categories can be viewed through the lens of race or religious past. This understanding sets the stage for what Paul means by the next and last verse in chapter 3… Maybe the most misunderstood passage in all of scripture.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
The above verse is taught in the view of something called Spiritual Israel, or replacement theology, under the teaching of Universalism, which is to say, anyone of any race can become a spiritual Israelite (blessed descendant of Abraham) by simply believing in Christ. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Fact is… The evidence that a Believer is from the loins of Abraham is that Believers follow in the footsteps of Christ. They will be known (a racial statement) by their fruits. Because they are followers of Christ, they are known to be of Abraham’s actual seed.
The story of Zacchaeus is a wonderful witness to this fact. Luke 19 ESV
Galatians Chapter 4 —
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child (outside of Covenant), is no different from a slave (under the L.P. Law), though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians (L.P. Law tutors) and managers (religions) until the date set by his father (YoHeWah). In the same way, we also, when we were children (ancient Israel), were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come (Christ and Him crucified), The Almighty sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the (L.P.) law, to redeem those who were under the (L.P.) law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (ability to procreate through YoHeWah, the Father). And because you are sons (offspring), YoHeWah has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son (offspring), and if a son (offspring), then an heir through YoHeWah.
The use of the word “adoption” is a poor understanding of what YoHeWah is doing through Believers. The word does denote the legality of the Family name or relationship, and it is written in the light of genealogy; however, the legality of what YoHeWah is doing is not through sonship, but rather through marriage. It is the office of the wife of YoHeWah, the Father that Believers are brought into the family… And, yes, I am stating that I do not believe Paul thought in these terms. This understanding hails from a good understanding of the Major and Minor Prophets of the Bible, which teach this lesson. However, it can also be said that this entity can be thought of as male, just as the tribe of Benjamin is the male side of the Woman in scripture. Psalms 68.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
Formerly, when you did not know YoHeWah, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods (Pagan Galtia). But now that you have come to know YoHeWah, or rather to be known by YoHeWah, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world (comparing Paganism to L.P. Law), whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years (the calendar of both)! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
In the above text, Paul is chastising the Galatians for observing both the Pagan Feast and the Feast of YoHeWah. Being stuck in the world, not different from us today, keeping Christmas and New Year’s, while also observing the Feast of YoHeWah.
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are (I had to come out of my former tradition of Judaism). You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment (his eyes?) that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel (messenger) of YoHeWah, as Christ Yeshua. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.
Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
Tell me, you who desire to be under the (L.P.) law, do you not listen to (the Torah) law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically (typologically): these women are TWO COVENANTS. One is from Mount Sinai (L.P. Law), bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is at Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem (Religion of Judaism), for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free (Law of Liberty), and she is our mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one (The Woman of Revelation 12) who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one (The Woman) will be more
than those of the one who has a husband (The Church Age).”
The above analogy or typology is told within the story of David and Michal… A STORY OF KING AND PRIEST GOVERNMENT.
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh (Ishmael) persecuted him (Isaac) who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son (The Church Age, deceived by Judaism), for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave (Judaism, pushing all of all of Torah) but of the free woman (the Law of Liberty — Covenant Law).
Galatians Chapter 5 —
For freedom (liberty) Christ has set us free (from the bondage of the L.P. Law); stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept (forced) circumcision (by the Jews), Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts (forced) circumcision (by the Jews) that he is obligated to keep the whole law (Covenant Law and L.P. Law). You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified (made right) by the (L.P.) law; you have fallen away from grace (favor for obedience). For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Yeshua, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith (obedience) working through love (the goal of Covenant Law).
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted (by the Jews of Judaism)? In that case, the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves (LOL)!
For you were called to freedom (Liberty), brothers. Only do not use your freedom (liberty) as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the (penalty of the) (L.P.) law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of YoHeWah. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians Chapter 6 —
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so FULFILL (completion) the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. Each will have to bear his own load.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches (Constructive, edifying input, not a one-way learning session). Do not be deceived: YoHeWah is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (false truth, and false doctrine, which is left unrefined, stiff, and unbending… unchangeable), but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand (evidence of Paul’s thorn in the flesh; his eyesight was poor). It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised (The Jews), and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ (a pattern alive and well today). For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep (Guard and Watch) the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Yeshua, the Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of YoHeWah.
From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Yeshua.
The grace of our Lord Yeshua, the Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Joey Thompson
joeyThompsonn777@aol.com
