In Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, the message for Gentile believers focuses on the freedom they have in Christ, emphasizing that they are no longer bound by the Mosaic Law. For Gentiles, this means they do not need to follow Jewish customs like circumcision or dietary laws to be fully accepted by God. Instead, they are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by works of the Law. In Galatians 2:16, Paul writes, "A person is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ." This reinforces that Gentile believers are justified solely by their trust in Jesus, not by adherence to any external rituals or laws.
However, even though Gentile believers are free from the Law, they are still called to abide in Christ's teachings, which were passed down through the apostles, like Paul. This idea is similar to the message in 2 John 9, where John emphasizes that true discipleship involves remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ. John writes, "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." For Gentile believers, this means they must stay faithful not only to the gospel of Christ but also to the apostolic teachings that preserve and explain His message.
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul stresses that Gentiles must not be swayed by false teachings that distort the gospel. In Galatians 1:8-9, Paul warns, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!" This highlights the importance of adhering to the apostolic teaching, which for Gentiles, includes the message Paul preached. Just as John warns against straying from Christ's teaching in 2 John 9, Paul calls the Galatians to remain grounded in the truth of the gospel and avoid any deviation from it.
For Gentile believers today, this message remains the same: while they are free from the Mosaic Law, they are still called to abide in the teachings of Jesus as passed down through His apostles. Abiding in Christ's teachings means staying faithful to the gospel message, as explained and preserved by the apostles, and not being swayed by any false doctrines or teachings. This is the essence of true discipleship, whether in the first century or today.
Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025
