Paul's Letter To The Galatians: Analysis

Paul utilizes the ideas of righteousness, justification and faith as being somewhat synonymous with each other. He ties each together, to show that believers are justified to believe in Jesus, without the necessity of the law. Faith now provides the justification needed, and has replaced the law and the necessity to follow the Torah practices (Harris, 2014, p. 358). Paul reminds the Galatians that they received the Spirit by faith and belief in the gospel he preached, not in the strict observances of the Torah. Old Testament references allow Paul to continue his teaching to the Galatians, as he provides them insight into the actions of Abraham by claiming that Abraham’s belief, or faith, in the Lord counted him as righteousness to the Lord (English Standard Version, Genesis 15:6). He provides the Galatians with food for thought as he tells them that if they are correct, and “they can be …show more content…
The Torah was provided as “a temporary device intended to teach humans that they are unavoidable law breakers, sinners whose conscientious efforts cannot earn divine favor”, and continued adherence to the Torah implies that Jesus is not sufficient to cover the promises made through God’s revelation in Jesus (Harris, 2014, p. 358). Paul attempts to tie the links of righteousness, justification and faith into the death and resurrection of Jesus, so that the Galatians can realize that the purpose in these actions were the fulfillment of the law therefore eliminating the need for the Torah