Having completed our Torah-based study on the book of Romans and additionally having illustrated through and by scripture and thorough exposition, the complete message of obedience to Torah in spirit and in truth, I move on to Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. I do so because after his epistle to the Romans, Galatians is probably the next from which a great multitude of scriptural verses are drawn upon by detractors of the law given by Yehovah Himself on Mt Sinai, to apparently justify their claims that the Torah has indeed been done away with. Paul was a highly educated man, who used very precise language in conveying his message.
Metaphors and allegory, interspersed with idioms, sayings and proverbs from other intellectual giants of his era and before, mostly from Gentile nations of the Hellenised world, were utilized gratuitously to relate to and captivate the attention of proponents of various philosophical societies that were by and large ignorant of the Highest Power that is Yehovah, the Almighty Elohim and Father of us all. We find examples of such institutes of learning in Acts 17:18-34. V 18-The Epicureans founded c.307 BC believed pleasure was the goal in life to be achieved by living modestly and limiting one’s desires, to avoid suffering from over-indulgence, the pleasure being more of the mind than physical.
The Stoics on the other hand of c. 3rd century BC believed in enduring pain or hardships without showing feelings nor complaining. V 28 Paul quotes “Cretia” by the Cretan philosopher Epimenides (c.600 BC) and also quotes “Phaenomena” by Aratus, a stoic thinker ascribing to the pagan god Zeus (315-245 BC). My intro may appear irrelevant and out of touch with scripture for the novice, but I hope that I shall be able to demonstrate Paul’s very advanced mindset during what shall be a comprehensive commentary on this very important epistle to the Galatians.
It is of paramount importance to understand his thought processes and reasoning if one is to avoid falling into the trap of terrible misinterpretation of his writings which have over the last 2 millennia culminated in grossly anti-biblical doctrines. These, modern day Christendom staunchly and fervently prescribe to, even prepared to die for such deceptive teachings from the very pit of hell. I refer you to 2 Peter 3:14-18 before we delve into this most difficult of epistles to comprehend. I pray that the Holy Spirit may destroy and false teaching or understanding that may usher from my mouth, and conversely uplift all truth that may touch your soul oh beloved. Amen