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What is the “Jews’ religion” referred to in Gal 1:13-14? 

What is its connection with Gal 2:11-14, Matt 3:7, Matt 23:13-15, & similar verses? 

How is it connected with John 5:1, 6:4 & 7:2, & the Jewish calendar ? 

Should believers in Messiah Yahushua trust in those who belong to it ?

Introduction

Over the past year or so, I have been studying the history of the Jews, from their time in Babylon until the 1^st century, & what the Renewed Covenant scriptures tell us about them.

Quite recently, I have been studying the book of Galatians, & have been wondering about who, & what Paul describes as "the Jews' religion", specifically mentioned in Gal 1:13-14, but also referred to later in Paul's letter referred to the Galatians. I have based this study on the great work of Steve Martin in his video, "Galatians 2:1-14, Did Peter and Paul disagree about keeping Torah?"

In Gal 1:13-14, we read : 

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of YHWH, and wasted it: 

Gal 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

My curiosity was raised when I read, & studied about Paul’s visit with “them which were of reputation”, namely, Peter, John, James, & the other apostles & disciples of Messiah Yahushua as was written in Gal 2:2. My interest increased still further, when I read, & studied about Paul’s “conflict” with Peter in Gal 2:11-14. Please note that I have expanded v14 because there are three different words translated as “Jews”, & I want their meanings to be clear. 

Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

 Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I (Paul) withstood him (Peter) to the face, because he (Peter) was to be blamed. 

Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 

Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled (acted hypocritically) likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation (deceit). 

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they (those of the Jewish religion), walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel (of Messiah Yahushua), I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, (one belonging to Judah), livest after the manner of Gentiles, (non-Jews), and not as do the Jews, (after the manner of the Jews, including keeping the tradition of the elders), why compellest thou the Gentiles (non-Jews), to live as do the Jews (to judaize, or imitate the Jews)? 

I then decided to examine what we were told about Paul, & what he said about the “Jews’ religion”, reasoning that, he for much of his life, was a believing, & practicing member of this “Jews’ religion”, & therefore should know all about it.

The strategy I have used is as follows :

1: I introduced my examination by listing what I have found out about Paul.

2: Using a “court-type” style, I have provided “scriptural” witnesses to identify what the Jews’ religion was, who belongs to it, what they believe, & what actions they incorporate, in order to perpetuate the Jews' religion.

3: Then I have summarised what these witnesses tell us about the Jews’ religion.

4: I included some background information on the history of the Jews from their Babylonian captivity until the 1^st century.

I have concluded my study by asking some significant questions for those who currently follow, the important aspects of the Jews’ religion.

Who was Paul, & what did he know about the Jews’ religion

Acts 21:39 & 22:3, tell us that Paul was a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilica. Acts 22:25 indicates that Paul was a Roman citizen.

In Acts 22:3, we are told that Paul was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward YHWH, as ye all are this day”.

Acts 5:34 refers to Gamaliel, as “one in the council, a Pharisee, … a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people”. It is believed that to be a disciple of Gamaliel, a young Jewish man needed to be among the brightest, & most zealous of Pharisees - only the very best young Pharisees could be mentored by Gamaliel. After Paul’s “training” by Gamaliel, I have read that Paul knew the Tanach so well, that he had it memorised. He certainly knew, & practised the Pharisaic “oral law”, called the tradition of the elders in Matt 15:2, in his life before his encounter with Messiah Yahushua (Acts 9).

We know from Acts 26 that Paul was a strict Pharisee, & the son of a Pharisee. In Acts 7 & 9, we know that he participated in the stoning of Stephen. In Acts 9, we are told that Paul “breathed threats & slaughter against the disciples”. In Gal 1:13-14, again, Paul tells the Galatians some interesting information when he writes, “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of YHWH, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the tradition of my fathers”.

Clearly, Paul knew all the “ins & outs” of the “Jews’ religion”.

While the “Jews’ religion” was the religion that Paul originally believed in, practiced, & “profited in”, it is NOT the same spiritual walk that he practiced, after His encounter with Messiah Yahushua. This is why Paul had all the conflicting encounters with those of the Jews’ religion, during his ministry. (Acts 15, Gal 2:2). Sometimes, the “Jews’ religion” is referred to as “the circumcision” (Gal 2:7-8 is an example).

What else do we know about the “Jews’ religion” ? 

In order to answer this, I have decided to present my findings in the form of a “court-style” situation. I will be providing several “scriptural” witnesses, & will begin by examining very carefully, what John the Baptist, said about the scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees; what Messiah Yahushua said about those who strongly believed in, & practised the “Jews’ religion”, namely the scribes, Pharisees, & the Sadducees . I want to examine all the evidence that I can find.

I know that many of you are very familiar with these verses, so I hope that you can be patient with me, because I want to examine all the evidence in this way.

Witness 1         John the Baptist

Key Verse        Matt 3:7 

Mat 3:7 But when he (John the Baptist) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation (offspring) of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Accused           many of the Pharisees & Sadducees

Accusation       They were “O generation (offspring) of Vipers”

Supporting Evidence   who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

When               before Yahushua began His ministry

Comment         

Since John the Baptist is making this accusation before Yahushua began His ministry, isn’t it obvious that the Pharisees' & Sadducees' (bad) reputation must have been based on beliefs, & activities based on those beliefs, that had been developed much earlier than this time ? More on this history later.

Why does John make this accusation ? Clearly, their beliefs & actions must have “upset” him severely, for him to publicly attack them as v7 shows.

Witness 2         Messiah Yahushua

Key Verse        Matt 23:13 

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (an actor, one who interprets, a pretender) for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Accused           scribes & Pharisees

Accusation       

you (scribes & Pharisees) shut up the kingdom of heaven against men – for you neither go in, or suffer them that are entering to go in. 

Comment

I believe Yahushua is charging the scribes, Pharisees & Sadducees with “shutting up the kingdom of heaven against men", by taking away the “key of knowledge” (Luke 11:52), that is, the ability to use (pronounce) YHWH’s name. (There may be other possibilities).

NB – there are nine other times where Yahushua addresses the scribes & Pharisees with this phrase. (Matt 23:14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29, Luke 11:42, 43,44). In each verse, He makes a different accusation. Please read these verses for yourself, so that you will have all the evidence to consider.

Q: Why would John the Baptist early in Yahushua’s ministry, & Messiah Yahushua Himself, criticise the scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees publicly, in this way ? Did John, Yahushua, & their apostles & disciples know something that we don’t know, or haven’t considered ?

Witness 3         The Pharisees & scribes criticise the actions of the disciples of John, & of Yahushua

Key Verses       Matt 9:11, 14, 12:2, 15:2, Mark 2:16 & Luke 5:33 

Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 

Mat 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 

Mat 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 

Mat_15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Mar 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 

Luk_5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees but thine eat and drink? 

Comment

Q: Are any of the above criticisms based on any written Torah commands ? A: No.

If these criticisms aren’t based on written Torah commands, then they must be based on “man-made”, oral law, namely, "tradition of the elders".

Clearly, the Pharisees, & scribes had “oral Torah” beliefs that differed from what John the Baptist & his disciples, & Messiah Yahushua, & His apostles had. Obviously, these Pharisees & scribes, who belonged to the “Jews’ religion”, were seriously, upset when some other Jews, including Messiah Yahushua & His apostles, disregarded what they considered to be very important “tradition of the elders” commands.

Witness 4         Yahushua prophesies the plots to kill Him

Key Verses       Matt 17:22-23, Mark 9:31

Prophesy       

“The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men (scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees): And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again” 

Comment

Yahushua prophesies that the scribes, Pharisees & Sadducees whom He had criticised, would eventually kill Him.

Witness 5         Scriptural evidence that the “Jews” wanted to kill Yahushua

Key verses       Matt 26:4, John 5:18, 7:1 

Mat 26:4 And consulted that they (the Jews) might take Yahushua by subtilty, and kill him.

Joh 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that Elohim was his Father, making himself equal with Elohim. 

Joh 7:1 After these things Yahushua walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 

Comment

The scribes, Pharisaic Jews, & Sadducees wanted to kill Messiah Yahushua because :

1: He, His apostles & disciples did not follow some of their oral law, the tradition of the elders’ commands, that the Jews’ religion had – they were directly accused of this in Matt 15:2, 

Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 

2: He publicly criticized them in verses such as Matt 23:13,

3: He publicly disapproved of their “tradition of the elders” in verses like Matt 15:6 & Mark 7:7 & 13, 

Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of YHWH of none effect by your tradition.  

4: It was His heavenly Father’s will.

Witness 6         The arrest, & trial of Yahushua

Key Verses       Matthew chapter 26, John chapter 18

Verses Summary

Matt 26:47-56, John 18:3-12     Yahushua is arrested by the officers of the chief priests, & Pharisees

Matt 26:57-68                Yahushua before Caiaphas – many false witnesses came

John 18:13, 19-24         Yahushua before Annas, & then Caiaphas

Comment 

Yahushua is betrayed by Judah into the hands of the officers of the chief priests, & Pharisees, (Matt 26:14-16), & when brought before Caiaphas, the scribes, the elders, & the council, they brought forward “false witnesses”, (Matt 26:57-68) in a failed attempt to convict Him of some “Torah breaking”. They eventually had Him killed, with some Roman involvement.

Witness 7         The Stoning of Stephen

Key verses       Acts 6:8-15, Acts chapter 7

Verses Summary

Acts 6:8     Stephen, full of faith & power, did great wonders & miracles among the people

Acts 6:9-10     Certain men, (of the synagogue – probably of the Jews’ religion), disputed with Stephen, but were unable to resist the wisdom & spirit by which he spoke   

Acts 6:11-13    These men suborned (introduced false evidence by collusion) witnesses – they stirred up the people, & had him brought to the council – where they set up false witnesses, claiming that he blasphemed against Moses & the Temple

Acts 7:1     The high priest asked Stephen if these things were so ?

Acts 7:2-53     Stephen replied with a very long speech, describing YHWH’s encounter with Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, & the 12 Patriarchs. He explained YHWH’s relationship with Moses - Stephem spoke about the “Church (assembly) in the wilderness, & the golden calf rebellion. He mentioned Kings David & Solomon,  the work of the Prophets, & the betrayal & murder of the Just One (Messiah Yahushua).

Acts 7:54-60     The actual stoning of Stephen 

Comment

Those of the Jews’ religion, including the high priest, council members, & false witnesses, felt threatened by great wonders & miracles that Stephen performed because of his faith in, & the power of YHWH. These men set up a “trial-type” situation, in an attempt to discredit the work Stephen was doing, as a chosen servant of the apostles.

Again, those of the Jews’ religion, set up “false witnesses”, as they did at Messiah Yahushua’s “trial”, in an attempt to humiliate, & discredit Stephen, & what he stood for.

They decided Stephen was guilty – they stoned, & killed him. Paul as a former Jews’ religion member, participated by consenting to his death.

Witness 8         The persecution of the believers in Messiah Yahushua – Paul ravages the assembly

Key Verses      Acts 8:1-3, 9:1-2

Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 

Act 8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 

Act 8:3  As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 

Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 

Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 

Comment

Acts 8:1-3 provides evidence that, at the time of Stephen’s stoning, there was great persecution against the Assembly, presumably by the Jews’ religion.

Paul at that time, being a staunch, & extremely loyal believer in the Jews’ religion, who “made havoc” of the assembly (Acts 8:3). We are told in Acts 9:1 that, He was breathing threats, & slaughtered the disciples of Yahushua, when he went to the high priest, desiring letters to Damascus, & to the synagogues – Paul in his early life, clearly was very zealous about the beliefs of the Jews’ religion.

How is the Jew's Religion connected with John 5:1, 6:4 & 7:2, & the Jewish calendar ?  

Have you ever noticed that the Gospel of John is the only one that specifically makes a reference to "the feast of the Jews", or "the Jews' feast" ?

I have copied the appropriate verses below.

Joh 5:1  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Yahushua went up to Jerusalem. 

Joh 6:4  And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 

Joh 7:2  Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 

Q: Don't we know from Lev 23:2 that Passover & the other moedim, (appointed times), are Yahweh's set feasts, & appointed times ?

Lev 23:2 Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them, The set feasts of YAHWEH which you shall proclaim as holy gatherings, shall be these: These are My appointed feasts:

Q: Since we know, & John knows that the appointed times are Yahweh's, doesn't it seem odd that John is the only writer who describes them as "the feast of the Jews", or "the Jews' feast" ?

Comment

I know that I am speculating here since I can't "prove" it, but since I am unable to find any other explanation, could it be that John has described "Yahweh's feasts" this way because the Jerusalem Jews of the Jews' Religion, had a different calendar from the one that Yahushua, His apostles & disciples followed ?

The reason that I write this, is because in my article, "When did the Israelites keep the original Passover", I showed biblically how, & when the Original Passover of Exodus 12 was kept, & why it would be non-biblical, to keep it using an afternoon of the 14th of Aviv going into the 15th of Aviv scenario.

Evidence Summation 

1: At the time of Messiah Yahushua, the Jews’ religion was composed of scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees.

2: The Jews’ religion held man-made beliefs, called the “tradition of the elders”, the oral law, that were different to the written Torah.

3: Within the Jews’ religion, they :

A: revered the “oral law”, which later developed into the Talmud, (the primary source of Jewish law, & theology), the Mishnah, (the written copy of the oral law), & the Gemara (the rabbinic commentary on the Jewish law). This oral law was revered above the written Torah of Moses.

B: taught that to be saved, you must first be circumcised, & then keep the Torah (based on the oral law teachings of the Talmud, Mishnah & the Gemara).

C: hated, & despised those who belonged to the Assembly of YHWH – those who believed in Messiah Yahushua, & practised all of YHWH’s written Torah that YHWH gave through Moses. (Again, refer to Acts 7, for specific details about the stoning of Stephen).

4: When someone disobeyed one of the Jews’ religion’s, the “tradition of the elders” commands, that person was criticised, and/or punished in some way.

5: If the disobeying of “tradition of the elders” command was deemed very serious, the offender could be tried, & when declared guilty, stoned for their offense.

In 2 Cor 11:23-25a, we have a list of the punishments inflicted upon Paul by those of the “Jews’ religion”, presumably, for breaking their “oral Torah” commands. Verses 20-21, provide the context for these punishments. Acts 7 gives many details of what they did to Stephen.

2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 

2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 

2Co 11:25a Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned. 

Again, it seems obvious that the “Jews’ religion” was the religion that many Pharisaic Jews, Sadducees, & scribes of the first century, including Paul, strongly believed in, & practiced.

6: Those of the Jews’ religion, in some cases, brought forward “false witnesses”, in an attempt to convict such an offender (see Yahushua’s & Stephen’s “trials”).

7: Within the Jews’ religion, there were different groups. We know there were scribes, Pharisees, & Sadducees, but we know that there were differences between the Pharisees, & the Sadducees, & that there were differences among those Pharisees who followed Shammai, & those who followed Hillel the elder.

8: While, there would have been common beliefs, because of these differences, there would have been some beliefs, & subsequent activities, where each group differed.

9: Those of the Jews’ religion, aggressively confronted anyone who disagrees with them over matters such as “being saved”.

10: Not all those supporting the Jews’ religion, were against Messiah Yahushua – Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Yahushua by night (John 3:1-2), & Joseph of Arimathaea, is called an honourable counsellor in Mark 15:43.

11: Those of the Jews’ religion, “indoctrinated” ordinary Jews with their beliefs. The following is one example of how this affected Peter.

In Gal 2:11-14, we have the situation where Paul confronts Peter. 

Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 

Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 

Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Q: Why did Paul confront Peter saying, “I withstood him to the face” ?

A: Paul writes his answer in the next phrase, “because he was to be blame”, adding more details in the following verses.

Q: Why would Peter eat with the Gentiles, but, when those of the “Jews’ religion” came, Peter withdrew, & separated himself (from the Gentiles) ? 

A: Peter came to Antioch, where there were some Jewish believers in Messiah Yahushua, but mostly, Gentile believers.

B: While Peter is there, he & the other Jewish believers who were with him, ate with the Gentiles – they “fellowshipped” with them. 

C: When some Jews came down from James, Peter no longer ate with these Gentiles. 

D: In Acts 10, Peter met with Cornelius – recall the “unclean animals” dropping-down vision that was to prepare Peter, so that he would go into Cornelius’ house (a Gentile’s house).  

In Acts 10:15, Peter is told, “what YHWH has cleansed, call not you common”. 

Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What YHWH hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

E: I believe that Peter stopped fellowshipping with the Gentiles because :

a: all his life, before he met Messiah Yahushua, Peter had been “indoctrinated” into believing all he had been taught about the “Jews’ religion”. He had believed that it was “unlawful” for a Jew to keep company with a Gentile, as he described in Acts 10:28, and

b: Peter also knew that those of the “Jews’ religion” punished anyone they found, seriously breaking their “oral Torah” commands – Peter feared for his life.

12: Those of the Jews’ religion used under-handed tactics to influence some of the Assembly of YHWH. Gal 2:4 is one example. 

Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren (Jews’ religion) unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (of the oral law)

Here, Paul is saying that some of these men of the Jews’ religion, are “pretending” to be part of the assembly of YHWH, (they are the false brethren), “to spy out” what was being said & done, waiting for an opportunity to attach them over some “doctrinal” matter.

13: While I appreciate that those of the Jews’ religion have some reverence for Moses, it seems to me that they only do it, based on their “tradition of the elders”. In John 5:42, Yahushua says of them that they “have not the love of YHWH in you”. That is the first problem, but, Messiah Yahushua makes many references to Moses, specifically in John 5:46-47, where He says : 

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

Joh 5:41 I receive not honour from men. 

Joh 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of YHWH in you. 

Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

Joh 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 

Joh 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 

Joh 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 

Joh 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Q: Do the actions of those in the Jews’ religion, indicate that they, “believe what Moses wrote about Messiah Yahushua” ?

A: It seems to me that there are many of their actions that indicate that they “do not love YHWH, & nor believe what Moses wrote about Messiah Yahushua”.

Think about the people Yahushua is talking to - they are the religious leaders of Yahushua’s day - they look religious - they sound religious - they dress religiously - they look dedicated - they look devoted, but they did not love YHWH - that's what Messiah Yahushua said to them, "I know this about you – you have not the love of Yahweh in you". They certainly love their religion - they love the system that had been set up by their forefathers. But, as Messiah Yahushua points out in John 5:42, they didn’t have the love of YHWH in them.

If these religious leaders, & their followers, really loved YHWH, they would have wanted to know what He said about how they're supposed to live, & they would have wanted to know what He said about how they're supposed to worship, but again, Yahushua said to them "I know this about you - you don't have the love of YHWH in you".

Messiah Yahushua was not saying that they were not religious – He was not saying that they were  not devoted to the system they were involved in, but He was saying that they don't have the love of YHWH in them.

If we continue reading, in v43, Messiah Yahushua says, “I am come in My father's name, & you receive me not; if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive; how can you believe which receive honor of one another and seek not the honour that comes from Yahweh only”. As we continue reading in v45, Messiah Yahushua says to them something incredibly important. He says, “do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuses you”.

Who would that be ? How many people then, & now, could honestly answer that question if you were to ask them, “Who is the one who is going to accuse you before the Father ?” I wonder how many people would say, “Moses”.

14: Because John describes Yahweh's feasts as "the feast of the Jews" and "the Jews' feast", it seems probable that those of the Jew's Religion may have kept a different calendar that Yahushua, His apostles & disciples did.

I'd like to close this study by repeating the very important question that I have often written, namely, how do you really know that what you have believed, what you have been taught, what you have viewed, heard, or read, is true & correct ? I strongly believe that the only answer is to find, & test, ALL the evidence that you can find.

In order to explain why, & how I use concordances, lexicons, & scriptural dictionaries, I will use the following example. I hope it is helpful.

Suppose some one asks me what I think Col 2:16-17 means. My standard practice, & answer always is, let me check to see that what is translated, is how it scripturally reads.

Let me demonstrate this by comparing the English KJV version with a Greek-English Interlinear version. 

I do this by examining each Greek word, & checking its meaning with Thayer’s Lexicon, & Strong’s Concordance, & writing out the verse according to the meaning of each Greek word that is checked. Please examine the following method carefully, so that the reader will understand the process involved.

I have copied the Greek-English version, & the KJV of Col 2:16-17 below, with the Thayer’s Lexicon, & Strong’s Concordance information. 

The Greek-English translation is read, left to right, by focusing on the English words. I will show this by copying Col 2:16 here :

Col 2:16 NOT  THEREFORE  ANYONE  YOU   LET JUDGE   IN   MEAT   OR   IN   DRINK   OR   IN   RESPECT   OF FEAST   OR   NEW MOON   OR   SABBATHS

Col 2:16  μηG3361 NOT   ουνG3767 THEREFORE   τιςG5100 ANYONE   υμαςG5209 YOU   κρινετωG2919 [G5720] LET JUDGE   ενG1722 IN   βρωσειG1035 MEAT   ηG2228 OR   ενG1722 IN   ποσειG4213 DRINK,   ηG2228 OR   ενG1722 IN   μερειG3313 RESPECT   εορτηςG1859 OF FEAST,   ηG2228 OR   νουμηνιαςG3561 NEW MOON,   ηG2228 OR   σαββατωνG4521 SABBATHS,   

Col 2:17  αG3739 WHICH   εστινG2076 [G5748] ARE   σκιαG4639 A SHADOW   τωνG3588 OF THINGS   μελλοντωνG3195 [G5723] TO COME;   τοG3588 BUT   δεG1161 THE   σωμαG4983 BODY "IS"   τουG3588 OF THE   χριστουG5547 CHRIST.   

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 

Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Messiah. 

 Now for the analysis

The first Greek word in v16, μη. It is Strong’s Greek word number G3361. I hope that you can see that.

The following information is provided by Thayer’s Lexicon, & then Strong’s Concordance in e-Sword.

G3361

Thayer

Original: μή

Transliteration: me

Phonetic: may

Definition:

1. no, not lest

Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial)

TDNT entry: None

Part(s) of speech: (none provided)

Strong's: 

A primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverbially) not (conjugationally) lest; also (as interrogitive implying a negative answer [whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one]); whether: - any but (that) X forbear + God forbid + lack lest neither never no (X wise in) none nor [can-] not nothing that not un [-taken] without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.

From this information, I have determined that μη is translated as “not”.

By following this process through,  so that all the Greek words are examined for their appropriate meanings, I believe that the Greek-English Interlinear "scripturally" reads :

Col 2:16 “not accordingly anyone you judge in eating food or in drinking or in allotment festival or new moon or Sabbaths

Col 2:17 which are shadow the intended purpose the but body the Messiah”

Q: Is the KJV an accurate translation ?

A: I believe so

The next step in my analysis is to check what the "context" of the target verse is.

Q: What is the context of Col 2:16-17, in the passage Col 2:6-20 ?
A: Col 2:6-11 is focused on Messiah Yahushua being received by the Colossians, & their being rooted in Him – Col 2:12-15 describes what He did for them, when they received Him as their Master.

Q: What is the meaning of v16-17 ?

A: Paul seems to have picked several currently pressing problem topics (food, drink, festivals, new moons & Sabbaths), that other non-believing Colossians, may have confronted the believing Colossians about. In addressing these, Paul is writing, “don’t let these non-believing Colossians “judge” you, by their standards.

Paul continues in v17, by writing that the topics that he has just mentioned, (food, drink, festivals, new moons & Sabbaths), are about future things. Paul concludes by saying, only let those who are part of the believing body of Messiah, make an assessment about these topics.

When I am in a discussion with someone else about my understanding of the meaning of a particular verse or passage, my method is :

1: Check that the translation is accurate, using the above method.

2: Ask the other person do they agree with the accurate translation.

3: Each person then gives her/his understanding of the agreed upon accurate translation.

I use this method so that, we are each discussing "the same", accurate translation.

When was the last time you TESTED what you believe ?

Isn't it true that many people never TEST what they believe - isn't most of our faith borrowed ? Doesn't it come from our culture, our family, our denomination, our own interpretation of our journey through the lens of our training.  Isn't our “knowledge", therefore, a set of reminiscences, & our perception always incomplete, & full of omissions, & thus a subsequent combination of random memories ?

A devout Christian who I know, claims that they do not have to keep all the Torah (law) that they can, while I claim that I am commanded to keep all the Torah that I can.

Q: Isn’t one of us is deceived ?

If I am the one who is deceived, then I have been deceived into believing that I should search Torah, in order to learn to keep, & do it.

If I have been deceived into believing that I have be saved by grace through faith, & as a follower of the Messiah who saved me, I should walk as He walked, then I have also been deceived into believing that I should keep the 7^th day Sabbath, that I should keep & observe the feasts of Lev 23, & that  I should obey dietary laws of Lev 11.

If he is the one who is deceived, then he has been deceived into believing that he doesn't have to keep Torah.

If he is the one who is deceived, then he has been deceived into believing that he should be saved by grace through faith, & as a follower of the one who saved him, he's been liberated from having to keep the sabbath, from observing the feasts of Lev 23, or be restricted by dietary laws of Lev 11.

In Gal 3:1, Paul addresses them with “O foolish Galatians”, who hath bewitched you”. Here is the whole verse :

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Messiah Yahushua hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The Greek word translated as “foolish” is derived from G453, Anoetos, which means in this context, one who is not exercising his/her mind, or someone who is not thinking.

The Greek word translated as “bewitched” is from G940, Baskaino, which means to slander, or speak against something.

Q: What has been slandered or spoken against ?

A: YHWH’s Torah – these Galatians, of whom Paul says they have not exercised their minds, or they haven’t been thinking, have been deceived into thinking that they no longer have to keep YHWH’s Torah.

So, if someone has been deceived into believing that they do not have to keep YHWH’s Torah, are they being “foolish”, & haven’t they been bewitched ?

Can I ask you to decide, which scenario sounds more like the work that satan would do ?

1: would satan deceive people into believing that they have to obey YHWH's instructions, His Torah, or

2: would satan deceive someone into believing that they do not have to obey YHWH's Torah ?

Which one of those sounds more like something satan would do ?

Again, would satan deceive a man so that in his deceived state, he starts obeying YHWH’s Torah, or would satan deceive a man into believing that, since he's been saved by faith through grace, he doesn't have to keep YHWH’s Torah ?

I cannot find a place in the Bible where Messiah Yahushua said “depart from me ye workers who keep YHWH’s law, who obey Torah, depart from me for I knew you not” - that's not written in the Bible, is it ?

But I do find in Matt 7:21-23, where Messiah Yahushua warns us what He will say to the “lawless”, those not keeping YHWH's Torah, “depart from Me, I never knew you”.

I cannot find a place where Messiah Yahushua said, “I came to keep the law, so that you won't have to”, but I do find a place where He said : 

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (Matt 5:17).

I cannot find a place where Messiah Yahushua said, "after My death, burial, & resurrection, you'll no longer be required to keep the sabbath, or observe YHWH’s feasts, or follow the dietary laws", but I do find a place where He said “as long as heaven & earth stand, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law" (Matt 5:18).

So does it make more sense to think that satan would deceive a man to keep YHWH’s Torah, or does it make more sense to think that satan would deceive a man to forsake YHWH’s Torah ?

If people say, "we're saved by grace through faith, & in being saved we should obey YHWH’s Torah", & others say "we're saved by grace through faith, & in being saved, we're no longer to keep YHWH’s Torah", again, both cannot be right - one is deceived, & we should not be so “foolish”, as to refuse to consider how ludicrous it is, to even think that satan is running around deceiving people into obeying YHWH's instruction, His Torah !

What decision will you make ?

There are many verses in Scripture that have either been poorly, and/or incorrectly translated, and/or are hard to understand.

Let me demonstrate by examining Gal 2:14.

The KJV reads as follows :

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 

Before I explain the problems with Gal 2:14, I need to address the context of the proceeding few verses (v11-14). 

There Paul confronted Peter about returning to the “Jews religion”, mentioned in Gal 1:13-14.  Paul’s condemnation of Peter has to do with believing that men are bound by the oral law of the “Jews' religion”. Their conflict was over Peter not fellowshipping with the believing Gentiles, when those of the “Jews' religion” were present, because they taught that fellowshipping with unsaved Gentiles was sinful – it definitely was not over, keeping or not keeping YHWH’s Torah. Evidence for this is that there is no mention of Torah, anywhere in the exchange between these two men – none.

If Paul didn't think the Gentiles should be taught to follow Torah, then I have a few questions for people to answer :

Q1: If Paul didn't think the Gentiles should be taught to follow Torah, then how do you explain this :

~ why did he teach them in assemblies that gathered every sabbath ? 

~ Why did he have Timothy circumcised in Acts 16, if he didn't believe that the Gentiles should be taught to keep Torah?  

~Why did he take a vow, and shave his head to prove to the Jews that he walked in obedience to Torah? 

~ Why did he still keep the feasts, if keeping the feasts was just a “Jewish” thing?

Q2: Wouldn’t Paul have been a hypocrite for confronting Peter about doing “Jewish” things, & then he, Paul, then did “Jewish” things?  

There was a huge difference between what Peter was doing, & what he did. Peter was following the "oral law" of men, while keeping the feasts, is obeying Torah.

Q3: Why did Paul, in Eph 2:10, talk about being created in Messiah Yahushua, to walk in “good works” which YHWH ordained - a clear reference to Torah ?

Q4: If Paul thinks that Torah is not to be followed,  why did he say in Rom 3:2, that the Jews have a great advantage? 

Clearly, Paul didn’t advocate the non-keeping of YHWH’s Torah, in Gal 2, & elsewhere.

Now back to our study verse, Gal 2:14.

If we look at this verse, we see that, in the KJV, the English words, “Jew” is written once, & “Jews” is written, twice. What we don’t see in English, is that there are three different Greek words that are translated as “Jew”, & “Jews”, twice. They are in order, G2453, Ioudaios, meaning a Judaean, one belonging to Judah, G2452, Ioudaikos, meaning, after the manner of the Jews, including keeping the traditions of the elders, & G2450, Ioudaizo, meaning to judaize, or imitate the Jews.

If I now translate this verse, & insert the meanings of these three words, together with three others,  that are not explained, we get :

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they (those of the Jewish religion), walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel (of Messiah Yahushua), I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, (one belonging to Judah), livest after the manner of Gentiles, (non-Jews), and not as do the Jews, (after the manner of the Jews, including keeping the traditions of the elders), why compellest thou the Gentiles (non-Jews), to live as do the Jews (to judaize, or imitate the Jews)? 

Now, if we apply this excellent Bible Study strategy, isn’t the meaning of what Paul was writing, much clearer, & less open to misunderstanding ? Can you now see why it is so important to examine the origin of the English words used in Bible Translations ?

Another example can be found in Exod 12:43-49 which I have copied below. It gives details of who can participate in the original Passover event, but in English, it is very confusing, & unclear who they are.

The KJV in v43, uses the word “stranger”, in v44, it uses the phrase, “every man’s servant”, in v45, it uses the terms, “foreigner” & “hired servant”, & in verses 48 & 49, it again uses, “stranger”. Can you see the problem ? Based on this English translation, can you know whom YHWH indicates can participate in His Passover ?

Exo 12:43 And YHWH said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 

Exo 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 

Exo 12:45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 

Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 

Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 

Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to YHWH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 

Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 

If we check the Hebrew, it becomes much clearer.

In v43, the Hebrew word translated as “stranger” is H1616, ger, meaning an apostate Israelite, or a non-Israelite, in v44, the meaning of “every man’s servant” is clearly defined in the verse – he is a bought male servant who has been circumcised, & therefore has become an Israelite, in v45, “a foreigner” is the Hebrew word, H8453, toshab, meaning a sojourner living with the Israelites, & a “hired servant” is someone who is hired to do a task. In verses 48 & 49, the stranger, the ger, is described as one who sojourns with you. In this case, this person is one who is converting to, or changing citizenship, to become an Israelite. (Remember Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, did this in Ruth 1:16).

So, if I now translate this verse, & insert the meanings of these words, we get :

Exo 12:43 And YHWH said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger (no apostate Israelite, or non-Israelite), eat thereof: 

Exo 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 

Exo 12:45 A foreigner (a sojourner living with the Israelites), and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 

Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 

Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 

Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, (a person who is converting to, or changing citizenship, to become an Israelite) and will keep the passover to YHWH, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 

Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you (the person who is converting to, or changing citizenship to become an Israelite). 

Again, if we apply this excellent Bible Study strategy, isn’t the meaning of who can participate in YHWH’s Passover, much clearer, & less open to misunderstanding ? Can you see why it is so important to examine the origin of the English words used in Bible Translations ?

If we are going to TEST this commonly held Christian idea, shouldn’t we have the desire to really understand Paul, by honestly wanting to know as much as we can about him ?

In order to do this, surely we must search the Scriptures for all the details that are available about Paul. In doing that, I believe that we will need to apply the biblical principles of Isaiah 28:13, namely, to examine “precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little”.

I strongly believe that we certainly should imitate what we are told the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. There it tells us “that they received the word with all readiness of mind (from Paul), and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things (that Paul told them), were so”.

Q: So what do we know about Paul ?

A:

Acts 21:39 & 22:3, tell us that Paul was a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilica. Acts 22:25 indicates that Paul was a Roman citizen.

In Acts 22:3, we are told that Paul was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day”.

Acts 5:34 refers to Gamaliel, as “one in the council, a Pharisee, … a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people”. It is believed that to be a disciple of Gamaliel, a young man needed to be among the brightest, & most zealous of Pharisees - only the very best young Pharisees could be mentored by Gamaliel. After Paul’s “training” by Gamaliel, I have read that Paul knew the Tanach so well, that he had it memorised. He certainly knew, & practised the oral laws, the traditions of the elders, in his life before his encounter with Messiah Yahushua.

We know from Acts 26 that Paul was a strict Pharisee, & the son of a Pharisee. In Acts 7 & 9, we know that he participated in the stoning of Stephen. Paul “breathed threats & slaughter against the disciples” in Acts 9, & in Gal 1:13-14, Paul tells the Galatians some interesting information when he writes, “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of YHWH, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers”.

Q: What is the “Jews’ religion” ?

A: In Gal 1:13-14, we see mention of the “Jews’ religion”, twice. Clearly, that was the Pharisaic religion that many Jews of the first century, including Paul, practiced. There are two main things that we need to know about these Pharisees.

1: They revere the “oral law”, including the Talmud, (the primary source of Jewish law & theology), the Mishnah, (the written copy of the oral law), & the Gemara (the rabbinic commentary on the Jewish law), even above the written Torah of Moses.

2: They taught that to be saved, you must first be circumcised, & then keep the Torah (based on the oral laws teachings of the Talmud, Mishnah & the Gemara).

While the “Jews religion” was the religion that Paul originally believed in, practiced, & “profited in”, it is NOT the same spiritual walk he practiced, after His encounter with Messiah Yahushua. This is why Paul had several conflicting encounters with those of the Jews’ religion, during his ministry. (Acts 15, Gal 2:2). Sometimes, the “Jews religion” are referred to as “the circumcision” (Gal 2:7-8 is an example).

In Acts 9, we read of Paul’s encounter with Messiah Yahushua, & later, in Gal 1:1, how he was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles.

In Gal 1:17-18, we are told that Paul went into Arabia, & after three years, he went to Jerusalem to see Peter & James.

Q: Why might Paul have gone to Arabia ?

A: We are not told the reason in Scripture, but I am guessing that Paul may have gone to Mt Sinai, (Arabia), the mountain where YHWH gave the original Israelites His written Torah instructions, in order to reassess his scriptural thinking & beliefs, after his encounter with Messiah Yahushua.

Q: Why might Paul have visited with Peter, three years later ?

A: Again, we are not told, but perhaps it was to test what he had discovered about his revised beliefs, when in Arabia.

Q: What did Paul believe, & now practice after his encounter with Messiah Yahushua, his trip to Arabia, & his visit with Peter & James?

A:

Paul confesses to the Jews of Caesarea, saying in Acts 24:14 that “so worship I the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets”. Clearly, isn’t Paul declaring that he believed ALL things that Moses wrote, & what was written in the Prophets ? Surely, this would include YHWH’s written Torah ?

We also know from checking the book of Acts, & reading Paul’s epistles that specifically :

~ Paul observed the 7th day Sabbath (Acts 13:42, 17:2, 18:4),

~ he kept Passover (1 Cor 5:8).

~ Paul observed Shavuot (Pentecost) in Jerusalem (Acts 20:16);

~ he also kept the annual feasts of Lev 23 (Acts 18:21).

~ in Eph 4:25, Paul states that he believed in the Prophets (Zech 8:16), & the words of the Writings (Ps 4:4).

~ in 1 Tim 1:8-11, Paul calls the Torah "sound teaching", while in 2 Tim 2:15, he called the Torah the "word of Truth". 

Paul tells us that in 2 Tim 3:16 that “scripture (the Tanach) is written by inspiration of the Ruach (Holy Spirit), & is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction & instruction in righteousness                                     

We also know that Paul took a Nazarite vow, according to Acts 18:18, & Acts 21:24-26, which was based on Num 6:18).

Clearly, these are the major, & significant reasons we can have to know that Paul kept YHWH’s Torah, & that he never taught against YHWH’s Torah.

In 2 Peter 3:15-16, we read that Peter calls Paul, a “beloved brother”, & in verse 16, he explains his understanding of how & what Paul wrote :

2Pe 3:16 As also in all (Paul’s) epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as (they do) also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Peter begins by explaining that in “all Paul’s epistles” (letters), “some things are hard to understand”. This is extremely important to know because, we really need to understand what Paul has written.

The next part of this verse is very significant ! There Peter tells us that people who are “unlearned”, as well as “unstable”, wrest (distort, twist, pervert), what Paul has written.

Q: What are such people “unlearned” in ?

A: Based on the context, they must be unlearned about YHWH’s written Torah, because of his reference to “other scriptures”, which at the time this was written, could only be the Tanach.

Q: What does Peter mean, when he describes some people as “unstable” ?

A: Again, in this context, wouldn’t someone who is “unstable” have no fixed principles & views ? Would they be, as Eph 4:14 explains, be “tossed to & fro . . . with every wind of doctrine” ?

Q: What does Peter mean when he tells us that these unlearned & unstable people, “wrest” the hard things that Paul writes ?

A: The Greek word translated as “wrest” is streb’lo’o, which literally means to torture by twisting & wrenching apart. It seems to me that, “wrest” in this context means, to distort, to twist, to pervert, or even reversing, what is actually being written.

Isn’t it obvious from Peter’s comment that, even at the time of Peter's writing, people were “twisting” what Paul has written – isn’t it very obvious, that they do so now ?

Q: What are the “other scriptures” that Peter is mentioning ?

A: Again, we know that any “Renewed Covenant Scriptures (NT) would not be published, & widely distributed until much later than this time, so it must be a reference to the rest of the Tanach (OT), the writings of the Prophets, & the Psalms.

Q: What does Peter mean when he says, these “unlearned” & “unstable” people distort, twist & pervert, not only what Paul has written in his epistles, but these other scriptures ?

A: By embracing distorted, twisted & perverted doctrines, these unlearned & unstable people, bring a curse upon themselves, resulting in probably a loss of their own salvation, in other words, “their own destruction”.

So the lesson for us is that, if we are really going to comprehend, understand, & know the “things that are hard to understand” by Paul, shouldn’t we diligently read, & study what he read & studied, before, we read what he wrote.

If we look at 2 Pet 2:14, we see another reference to “unstable” souls – it is the same Greek word as Peter uses in 2 Peter 3:16.

2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

In 2 Pet 2:1, we read about “false prophets” & “false teachers”, who “privily” shall bring damnable heresies. “privily” here means bring in secretly.

Q: Why would these "false prophets" & "false teachers", do this ?

A: Because they don’t want their “audiences” to know their real motives.

These false teachers use the Bible, but only certain verses as decoys, to manipulate others – this is twisting of Paul’s words. In doing this, a false teacher might say something like, “legalism is disobedience to YHWH”, in order to bring about “a damnable heresy”.

There are several verses, just in Paul’s letter to the Galatians that are hard to understand, including :

Gal 2:14, 2:16, 2:19, 3:2, 3:13, 3:24-25, 4:8, 4L21-31, 5L1-2, 5:14, 118, 6:2, 13, 14-15.

If we examine just Gal 2:14, we know that false teachers often say that it means “gentiles don’t have to keep the law, because Jews keep it”. This is “twisting” what Paul has written.

If you accept what these “false teachers” say Gal 2:14 means, haven’t you missed the warning, Peter said when he wrote that “some of what Paul writes is hard to understand” ? This makes absolutely no sense because, it was written by Paul who kept the law.

Another reason we can know that Paul kept YHWH’s Torah concerns what I’ll call, “Paul’s personal examination”. This may take a bit of time to explain, so I hope you can be patient.

In Gal 2:1 we read that “after 14 years, Paul, Barnabas & Titus went to Jerusalem”. If we examine

Gal 2:2, there are several things we need to investigate.

Q1: Why does Paul write that by “revelation”, he “communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation” ?

Q2: What was the “gospel” Paul preached to the Gentiles ?

Q3: Who were the “them which were of reputation” ?

Q4: Why did Paul meet with them “privately” ? 

Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 

Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 

A1: I believe the Ruach (Holy Spirit) prompted Paul to go to Jerusalem (by revelation).

A2: I’ll get to more details soon, but for now, it seems reasonable to assume that Paul wanted to CHECK, & TEST that, the gospel he was teaching for 14 years, was the same as the gospel, “them which were of reputation”, taught.

A3: The “them which were of reputation” were the apostles that walked, & lived with Messiah Yahushua for 3 years, specifically, Peter, John, & James.

A4: Paul met with them “privately” because he wanted to discuss with them what “their understanding” was of Messiah Yahushua’s gospel message – after all, they had “personal” contact with Messiah Yahushua. Even though, Paul too, got his instructions about the gospel from Messiah Yahushua, Paul wanted to double check that the gospel he had been teaching for 14 years, was the same gospel Messiah Yahushua had taught them.

Please note that at the end of Gal 2:2, Paul writes “lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain”. Paul is really saying that, unless the gospel that he had been teaching for 14 years, was the same as the gospel Peter, John & James were teaching, THEN, his (Paul’s) teaching would have been “in vain” (of absolutely no value).

Because I don’t have a great deal of time to examine what Peter & James taught, I’ll focus briefly on what John taught. I believe that Peter & James’ understanding of Messiah Yahushua’s gospel message was the same as John’s.

In 1 John 2:1-6, we find the following : 

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Messiah Yahushua the righteous: 

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of YHWH perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 

1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked

Notice that John, in v1, mentions sin, & connects it with our advocate with the heavenly Father, Messiah Yahushua.

In v2, John says that Messiah Yahushua atones for the sins of the world.

V3 tells us that if we know (have a relationship) with Father YHWH, then we “keep HIS commandments”. John continues in v4, by writing that if someone says that they are in a relationship with YHWH (they know Him), but do not keep YHWH’s commandments, that person is a liar, & the Truth isn’t in him.

John then writes in v5 that, the person who keeps YHWH’s word, perfects YHWH’s love, resulting in him, being in YHWH.

I believe the crucial point John is making occurs in v6, where John writes, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked”. If we are true disciples & believers in Messiah Yahushua, we must walk as He walked”.

Q: How did Messiah Yahushua walk ?

A: I’ll answer this by giving 4 examples.

1: Messiah Yahushua agreed with, supported & believed what Moses wrote (Matt 5:17-19).

~ He kept the 7^th day Sabbath (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:16)

~ He kept the annual moedim (feasts) of Lev 23 (John 2;23, John 7:1-6, 10) .

~ He was circumcised on the 8th day (Luke 2:21-24)

~ He wore fringes on his garments (Luke 8:44), in accordance with  Num 15:38 & Deut 22:12.

~ Paul calls Him the firstfruits of those who have fallen (1 Cor 15:20).

~ He taught on fasting (Matt 6:16-18).  

~ In Luke 17:14, He told the ten lepers who were cleansed to show themselves to the priests, as was required by Lev 13:2.

There are 23 verses where Yahushua attributes the Torah to Moses. (Matt 8:4; 19:7, 8; 23:2; Mark 1:44; 10:3, 4; 7:10; Luke 5:14; 16:19, 31; 20:37; 24:27, 44; John 3:14; 5:39, 45, 46; 6:32; 7:19, 22, 23)

2: Messiah Yahushua explained the true meaning, & application of several of YHWH’s commandments. In Matt 5:27-32, He expands on the commandment of adultery, & in John 8:3-11, He applies the teaching of Deut 17:6-7, when the woman caught in adultery is brought to Him.

3: Messiah Yahushua prayed to His heavenly Father (Matt 14:23, Matt 26:36), & taught His disciples how to pray (Luke 11:1). In John 17:26, Messiah Yahushua says that He “declared unto them thy name, and will declare it”. Clearly, YHWH’s name is exceptionally important, (a) because it is written 6823 times in Scripture, & (b) because we are told to in various other verses we are told to :

~ bless His name (Ps 100:4)

~ exalt His name (Ps 34:3) &

~ praise His name (Ps 149:3)

~ hallow His name (Luke 11:2)

My research indicates that very few Christians know, or use YHWH’s name, so how can they bless, exalt, praise or hallow His name ?

4: In John 17:26, Messiah Yahushua says that He has “declared to them Your (YHWH’s) name”. Clearly, knowing, & using YHWH’s name is vitally important, if someone wants to have a relationship with Him.

Joh 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

A third reason that we know that Paul didn’t teach against keeping YHWH’s Torah, could be based on his own personal experience.

In Gal 1:1, we read that Paul was an apostle ordained by Messiah Yahushua, & YHWH the Father, & definitely not by men. This was Paul’s experience. 

Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Messiah Yahushua, and YHWH the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul expounds upon this experience in verses 11-12, where he writes, “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Messiah Yahushua”.

If those things are true, & I believe that they are, then wouldn’t any person who thinks rationally, ask this question.

Is it possible for YHWH, & Messiah Yahushua, to call a man to go & teach something that would be different than what YHWH had said to Moses ?

If a person is sent by YHWH, does it make any sense to even imagine that YHWH would have spoken one message to Moses, & then said to Paul, “ I need you to go correct a few things I said to Moses”. It makes no sense, & defies logic !

Isn’t it ludicrous that YHWH would call Paul to go out & contradict what He, YHWH, said to Moses, especially when we read what YHWH said to Moses? Doesn’t YHWH say things to Moses like “this shall be a statute forever” (Exod 12:17), & “this is My name forever” (Exod 3:15), “the Sabbath is a sign forever” (Exod 31:17), & “You shall keep it (Passover) a feast to YHWH throughout your generations – you shall keep it a feast forever”(Exod 12:14) ?

If YHWH, through Moses, said those things were forever, would He now call Paul & say, “go tell people that I changed my mind, that they really were temporary”. To believe that, is to believe that which is absurd ! It's the epitome of what it means to be “unlearned” & “unstable”, to believe that YHWH would send Paul to contradict what he said to Moses. 

Have you ever investigated what happens to those who “speaks against Moses” ?

If you check out Num 12:1-16, I believe that you will see that, when Aaron & Miriam criticised Moses for taking the Ethiopian wife, “YHWH took that personally” (Num 12:9) 

Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

Q: What happened to Miriam then ?

A: She became leprous, & was put out of the camp (v10 & v14)

In Num 16:1-33, we have the situation where Korah & others spoke against Moses. Verse 4 tells us that when Moses heard their complaint, “he fell on his face” (Moses remembered what happened to Miriam).

Q: What happened to Korah & his followers ?

A: Num 16:32 tells us that the ”earth opened her mouth & swallowed them up”.

YHWH certainly reacts in a very negative way to those who criticise Moses, & what YHWH told him to write.

Based on all this information, the only logical conclusion that I believe that we can reach is that, Paul never taught against YHWH’s Torah !