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GALATIANS 1 & 2by Chadbourne Zitek
BH
INTRODUCTION
It is a wonderful thing to see people all around the world, learning of their
heritage as the Seed of Abraham, the people of Israel - and the Promise/
Covenant that has been granted to us all because of that rich heritage, and
because of the the object of our Faith, even our Heavenly Father who provided
for us Yeshua, for the forgiveness of sins.
Even so, though the Ruachhas been revealing much to those who love and seek
Him, many have had to answer the accusations of those who would deny the
validity of this global awakening of Yahs people. As of such, my goal in this short
teaching is to cover some basic principles of interpretation, applied to problem
verses that are presented to obeyers of Yahweh.
As we who are delving into the Tanakh understand, the majority of Scripture
promotes a simple analogy: Yahweh is like a loving Father, and Israel is like His
children. He has advice for his children in how they should live to receiveblessing, and he has rules which, if broken, bring punishment. These rules, if
obeyed, will bring the obedient children blessings and reward.
Indeed, the entirety of Scripture, from the Torah to the writings, from the psalms
and prophets, to the words of the Messiah Himself - and the writings and visions
of the shlichim- all support the simple understanding that the Torah (Yahwehs
instructions) is good, righteous, just, merciful, and brings understanding and
wisdom. The Torah brings liberty and joy, and the keeping of the Torah in love is
how one shows his or her love to the Most High and devotion to the Master.
How is it then that we have another dichotomy presented in the majority of
churches around the world today? Where does the idea of the Torah being done
away with originate, and what verses are used to support this notion? How can
we defend the Faith and answer these objections that are brought up? We are
encouraged to have an answer for all things, and to study to show ourselves
approved (approved to whom? Yah, or man?). Also, we understand that anything
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that is not of faith is sin.Therefore it behooves us to examine these arguments to
have an answer for those who challenge the obedience to the Most Highs
commandments as lawlessness.
GALATIANS 1
We begin our midrashin the book that is most commonly used against those who
keep Torah. All of us have, at one point, been labelled as Judaizersor legalistic.
Where are these terms originating, and what verses are used to support them?
Most importantly - how do we correctly interpret these verses in light of the rest of
the set-apart Scriptures?
Let us begin our study into this controversial letter.
Gal 1:1 - Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but byYeshua haMashiach, and Elohim the Father, who raised him fromthe dead;)
First we see a statement of the identity of the author, which is vitally important to
understanding this letter. Who is Paul?
Paul, in his own words, stated of himself: Circumcised the eighth day, of the
stock of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as concerning
the Torah, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5) We know that he was a greatly learned
Rabbi who studied under Rabban Gamliel, a great Torah scholar and authority on
Torah Law in the first century. Gamliel was the grandson of the famous teacher
Hillel the Elder. Hillel was the authority for the House of Hillel sect of Pharisaism
(as opposed to the halacha presented by the House of Shammai, another sect of
Pharisaism). Many hold that he was the Nasi(prince/leader) of the Great
Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. This shows us the higher education that Paul received.
He was, no doubt, a famous figure in the first century and onward until today. But
many divorce him of his Hebraic heritage, and assume that he started a new
religion. Lets hear his stance on the Torah from His own mouth:
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Acts 24:14 - But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call
a sect, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are
written in the Law and in the Prophets.
Acts 18:21 - but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this
coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, Yahweh willing." And he
sailed from Ephesus.
Roma 7:25 - I thank Yahweh--through Yeshua the Messiah our Master! So then,
with the mind I myself serve the Law of Yahweh, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Roma 3:31 - Do we then make void the Law through faith? Certainly not! On the
contrary, we establish the Law.
Roma 6:15 - What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Law but undergrace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves
slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin [leading]
to death, or of obedience [leading] to righteousness?
Roma 7:12 - Therefore the Law [is] holy, and the commandment holy and just
and good.
Roma 7:14 - For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under
sin.
Roma 7:22 - For I delight in the Law of Yahweh according to the inward man.
Now that we have heard these words from Paul himself, as a baseline
understanding, let us continue to examine this letter.
...And all the brethren which are with me, unto the assemblies ofGalatia: grace to you and peace from Eloah the Father, and our
Master Yeshua haMashiach, who gave himself for our sins, thathe might deliver us from this present evil world, according to thewill of God and our Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever.Amen.
Here is an interesting preamble to this letter. He sets the tone by stating this
truth: Yeshua haMashiachgave himself for our sins, to deliver us from the
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gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thoushalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamerof dreams: for YHWH your El tests you, to know whether you loveYHWH your El with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall
walk after YHWH your El, and fear him, and keep hiscommandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, andcleave unto him.
This is the elementary principle that what comes after must be validated
through what came before. We often read this passage and think, Its only
talking about people enticing us to serve other gods, Ive not seen that in a
while, but notice the part I highlighted - Let us serve them. This means walking
in their ways, keeping their commandments, and their customs. This means
giving homage to the false gods, whether it is understood thats what is
happening or not.
It is because of this verse that a Jew will not listen to a Christian missionary and
accept Jesus Christ. Why? Because according to the Christian churchs
theology, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Torah (misinterpretation of fulfilled), which to
them means that its still there, but it is of no effect anymore. We only have to
take the moral principles from the Torah, and everything else is abolished.
Christian theology delineates the Torah into three sections - Ceremonial, Civil,
and Moral, and holds that those commands they deem ceremonial and civilare no longer in effect, though there is no way one can divide the Torah into such
categories, as the Most High makes no distinction. His ways are His ways,
period.
Therefore, according to Christian theology, we can walk in ancient pagan ways
because we are redeeming those ancient (or not so ancient) pagan holidays or
customs. The laws of holiness, being set apart from the world, and those
commands to follow YHWHs holy days and holy ways are deemed civil or
ceremonial. Therefore, it is firstly because of this twisted theology that a Jew will
not accept a Messiah that does away with Torah, nor will they accept the fruit of
that theology, which is the continuation of pagan practices because now we can
do this stuff for Jesus. Because we want our fun, we are impeding the progress
of our brother Judah, the Jews, from ever accepting the Messiah. Again, I say
that because we want our fun - it is OUR fault they will not accept Messiah.
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But back to what Paul is saying. There are some coming to the Assembly in
Galatia and presenting a different gospel than that which was preached.
For do I now persuade men, or Elohim? or do I seek to pleasemen? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant ofMessiah. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which waspreached of me is not after man. For I neither received it fromman, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of YeshuahaMashiach.For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in Judaism,
how that beyond measure I persecuted the Assembly of Elohim,and wasted it: and profited in Judaism above many my equals inmine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of thetraditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:10-14)
Before we continue on, I want to point out a couple of things. Paul is stressing
here that he did not receive the gospel from men, but rather from Messiah
himself. How can that be, since we see from his revelation experience that
Messiah simply asked Why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick
against the goads. (Acts 9:4-5) Where is any gospel here? But it is a revelationof Yeshuas authenticity. Later down in this passage, we learn that Saul went not
to Jerusalem, but to Arabia. Could it be that he went back to Mount Sinai to
receive further revelation from Elohim there, in the spot where revelation was first
granted to Israel? We dont know, but we do know that Paul received his
revelation from the Messiah Himself - NOT from the tradition or doctrines of man.
Some see that Paul says past time in Judaism, and believe this to be a proof
against keeping the Torah. However, there are a few points that must be made
here:
1. There is no other religion at this point that believes in the Hebrew scriptures,
and the God of Israel
a. If Paul was distancing himself from Judaism, he would have to either be
starting a new religion, or returning to a purer form of Biblical religion
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b. If returning to a purer form of religion, this would still be considered a sect
of Judaism
2. If Christianity was a new religion at this point, this would violate the principles
of Deuteronomy 13
3. The Way is a Jewish (Judean) sect
4. Paul qualifies the emphasis of his zealousness not as being the
commandments of Yahweh, but rather the traditions of his fathers
5. Yeshua is King of the Jews (and of all Israel)...would Paul really want to leave
His kingdom and create the church instead?
GALATIANS 2
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, wascompelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3)
Here, opponents of the Hebrew roots understanding will use this verse to prove
that Paul didnt keep the Torah, nor did he require new coverts to do so. Let me
read another verse here that pertains...
Him [Timothy] would Paul have to go forth with him; and took andcircumcised him because of the Jews which were in those
quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. (Acts16:3)
Virtually every translation translates this verse saying because of the Jews,
Timothy was circumcised...meaning, not because God commanded it, but
because the Jews there wanted it done. But the article because in the greek,
,can just as well be translated as with! The verse would read, Paul
circumcised him withthe Jews that were in those parts, because they all knew
his father was a Greek (i.e, they knew he was not circumcised). Paul would not
go along with a circumcision just because of the pressures of a crowd - rather,
we see that the Jewish community together with Paul circumcises Timothy, as is
customary in Judaism, to hold a party for a brit milah.
Therefore, why would Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus? Is this a proscribing
of circumcision as antiquated? Is Paul being double minded? Is he acting
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differently in front of the Jews than he does in front of the Gentiles? Remember,
Paul rebuked Peter for this very same sin (Galatians 2:11-21). Perhaps, if we
actually read the text without doctrinal glasses on, we will see what is going on
here. Remember, the Pharisees are preaching another gospel.
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, wascompelled to be circumcised (Galatians 2:3)
Do you notice now? Compelled - in Greek (anagkaz) from the root
word meaning to necessitate, to compell, to force, calamity, distress.
Did anybody ever compel you, force you, necessitate you, or bring you calamity
or distress, to baptize you? Is not circumcision also matter of the heart? Should
not one make the step themselves to fulfill a commandment? Would it merit
anybody to perform a commandment because of the pressures of someone
else? Titus was not compelled to be circumcised. There are only two valid ways
to read this verse without presuppositions:
1. Titus was not forced/compelled to be circumcised, therefore he had not
chosen to do so at this point
2. Titus was not forced/compelled to be circumcised, but the text never claims
that he wasnt circumcised...simply that he was not compelled or forced to do
so.
This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, whostole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Messiah Yeshua,that they might bring us into bondage; to whom we gave no placein the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the GoodNews might continue with you. (Galatians 2:4-5)
There are false brothers in the assembly of Galatia...and now that we are seeing
the picture form, we are seeing what these false brothers wanted. These false
brothers wished to remove the liberty, and bring the assembly into bondage.
Bondage to whom or what? Yahwehs righteous rulings? Are Yahwehs perfect
commandments bondage? No...but these mens traditions are bondage! See, it
was a common practice to necessitate circumcision for a convert, and is to this
day, in order to become a Jew (if one is formerly gentile). In fact, even if one is
already circumcised, to this day a ritual circumcision is still required and
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performed in Judaism. Thus, the pharisee believers (probably from the house of
Shammai) were claiming that Unless you be circumcised, according to the
custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (Acts 15:1) You cannot be saved. Lets
see what Paul says about this false gospel:
"We, being Yehudim by nature, and not Goy sinners, yet knowingthat a man is not justifiedby the works of the Torah, butthrough the faith of Yeshua the Messiah, even we believed inMessiah Yeshua, that we might be justified by faith in Messiah,and not by the works of the Torah, because no flesh will be
justified by the works of the law. (Galatians 2: 15-16)
Can he make it any clearer that there is a difference between being justified by
faith in Messiah, and the works of the Torah? We understand and teach that noman will be justified or saved by the works of Torah. The Torahs purpose is to
show us the right way to walk, to provide blessing if we obey, and cursing if we
disobey!
But if, while we sought to be justified in Messiah, we ourselvesalso were found sinners, is Messiah a servant of sin? Certainlynot! For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I provemyself a law-breaker.
Here, as well as in 1 John 3:4, Paul defines sin as breaking the Torah, or
lawlessness. Therefore, he is not encouraging lawlessness, he is simply
encouraging the proper use of the Torah - that justification is found only in
Mashiach Yeshua.
For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. Ihave been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I that live,
but Messiah living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, Ilive by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himselfup for me. I don't make void the grace of God. For ifrighteousness is through the law, then Messiah died fornothing!" (Galatians 2:19-21)
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Here is a tough one. Paul died to the Torah? What do we do with this?
It is actually a description of the legal reason Yeshua died for us. Let me explain
further. This is a Torah midrash, an analogy is in play. Lets look to Deuteronomy
24
When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come topass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath foundsome uncleanness in her: then let him write her a get, and give inher hand, and send her out of his house. And when she isdeparted out of his house, she may go and be another man's.
And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a get, and gives itin her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latterhusband die, which took her as his wife; Her former husband,which sent her away [the first time], may not take her again to behis wife, after that she is defiled; for that is an abomination beforeYHWH: and you shalt not cause the land to sin, which YHWHyour El gives you as an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 24: 1-4)
So a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives, according to Paul...but
death breaks this binding. Now what is this analogy we speak of?
Who is the woman? She is Israel, the betrothed of Yeshua. Yet, she broke her
marriage covenant, and went to the gods of the nations and defiled herself with
them. What can be said for Israel? Can she be bought back? It is pictured by the
prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer.
Hosea was commanded to take to himself a wife of whoring, Gomer. They have a
child at first, and named him Jezreel...yet later, Gomer begins to venture out and
begets children by whoring, Lo Ammi and Lo Ruhamah...Not my people and
Not pitied/mercied.
Yet in spite of all of this, Hosea is commanded to go and look for his wife, and he
finds her, destitute and chained to a slave block, being sold in an auction as a
slave. A slave to her sin, he bought her back for himself...with 15 shekels of silver
and 5 bushels of barley. He took her back to himself as a wife. Do you see the
picture here? Israel whored after other gods...and though we became Not my
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people...though we became gentiles, and later Not pitied, nevertheless he
sought us out and bought us back with silver (redemption) and barley
(representing the feast of Yom haBikkurim, early firstfruits....Yeshuas day of
rising!)
Therefore, through the Torah, I died to the Torah (I was condemned to death by
the Torah, but have been crucified with Messiah) so that I could live to God
(crucified with Messiah, that I might rise with Him). If he dies for us, the law of
divorce is cancelled...it has dominion as long as the manlives. Yet, for all of this,
he did not stop at death, but ROSE again, to take us back to himself as a Bride
once again! Do you see that Paul is talking here about a process of redemption?
Paul is stressing that we received redemptionfrom Yeshua alone, not our own
good works! Yet, when Hosea redeems Gomer, he says to her...
Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thoushalt not be for another man: so I also for thee. (Hosea 3:3)
When Yeshua redeems Israel his bride, he says to us...abide in me! Do not playthe harlot (follow and obey and love me! He who loves me, keeps mycommandments!), and I will beforyou!
Therefore, if righteousness unto justification, righteousness unto forgiveness,could be obtained by the works of the Torah, then Yeshuas redemption gift, hisdeath, would be of no avail! Now you see what Paul means in this book of
Galatians.
I have been crucified with Messiah, and it is no longer I that live,
but Messiah living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I
live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
up for me.
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