IV. Occasion

Paul had received word that in Galatia, where he had preached the Gospel, there were some who were preaching “another gospel,” which was unsettling the believers. These other preachers were responsible for “bewitching” (3:1; cf. 1:6-9) them. These perceived troublemakers apparently were not only casting aspersions on Paul’s preaching, but also on his person. The issues seem to center on (1) whether non-Jewish believers must enter into Christian fellowship via Judaism and its covenantal mark, circumcision, and (2) whether Paul had legitimate apostolic authority to teach and preach.