Letters to the Church

The Letter to the Galatians is Paul’s response to a controversy that had developed among the congregations of Galatia. At issue was the status of Gentile believers. Must they conform to Jewish practices and submit to the regulations of the Mosaic Law to become members of the covenant community, especially the rite of circumcision ?

La Bonne Nouvelle annoncée par Jésus de Nazareth offre le salut et la vie aux hommes et aux femmes de chaque nation . Après sa résurrection, Jésus a déclaré que “ toute autorité au ciel et sur la terre m'a été donnée; par conséquent, allez et faites des disciples de toutes les nations! ” Ainsi, il envoya ses disciples annoncer sa seigneurie et son salut “ aux extrémités de la Terre .” Le message vivifiant du Christ doit être annoncé à tous les hommes et à toutes les nations sous le ciel.

The Good News announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to the men and women of every nation . After his resurrection, Jesus declared that “ all authority in heaven and on earth is given to me; therefore, go and make disciples of all nations !” Thus, he sent his disciples to announce his lordship and salvation to “ the ends of the Earth .” Christ’s  life-giving  message must be announced to all men and in every nation under heaven.

The jurisdiction of the Mosaic regulations over the covenant community reached its limit with the arrival of Jesus, the Seed of Abraham . In responding to claims that Gentiles must be circumcised, Paul appealed to the common experience of the Spirit received by the Galatians.  Did they receive the Gift through a “ hearing of faith ” or “ from the works of the Law ?”  Having begun in the Spirit, why did they seek the “ completion ” of their faith based on “ flesh ” by submitting to circumcision?

The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified by the World Empire . Jesus of Nazareth performed miracles, exorcised demons, and taught with great authority, and for a time, he attracted large crowds. Nevertheless, his contemporaries failed to recognize who he was despite his displays of supernatural power. Only the Roman centurion on duty at Golgotha perceived that the Nazarene was “ the Son of God ” when he breathed his last.