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Apostolic Writings Discussions Galatians

Halacha vs. mitzvah: Discerning God’s actual commandments from traditions (Galatians 1:10–14)

Paul emphasized in Galatians 1:10-14 that Yeshua (Jesus) is the only way for humanity to enter God’s Presence. Paul rejected tradition (halachah, “way of walking”) he previously held as a Pharisee that taught a different way of salvation, a “different gospel”: be converted via circumcision to be part of Israel (Acts 15:1). Paul, as Yeshua’s apostle, affirmed Yeshua’s teachings on the enduring primacy of the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:16-17). Yeshua taught Paul on the Damascus road why that “different gospel” must be rejected (Acts 22:3-15; 26:15-18). While Paul considered that halachah as “loss,” he maintained others (worship on Shabbat) that help one live out God’s mitzvot, khuquot and mishpatim (commandments, ordinances and judgments).