Paul wrote this right before the Jerusalem Council met....the Judaizers who taught that Gentile believers must obey the Jewish law in order to be saved were dealt with in this letter. Paul, of all people, himself a Pharisee, persecuted Christians and followed the Law judiciously. His revelation via Jesus Christ was that the Law did not save; the law condemned. You cannot earn your salvation by good deeds; we are saved by Christ, by faith alone. It is grace. The good works, as James taught us are simply evidence of our faith.
This gospel alone saved...the twisted gospel did not. Jesus' work on the cross was sufficient for salvation. Paul even opposed Peter when he would not eat with the Gentiles. Paul called him out in Galatians 2:11 and accused him of being hypocritical. Peter was afraid of what those that were circumcized would think. See, even a great leader can be flawed.
Paul discussed the superiority of the gospel by talking about Abraham....."the Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you".. Abraham was saved by faith, NOT the law. "Justify" means to be in a right relationship with God; to declare innocent or guiltless.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise
Look what comes up from the depths of the sea.
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