Who were the problem teachers in Galatians, and what did they advocate?

• A. Judaizers who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law
• B. Gnostics who denied the incarnation
• C. Sadducees who rejected angels
• D. Pharisees who demanded temple sacrifices

Answer: (A)

The main issue in Galatians is a false teaching that Gentile believers must become Jews by circumcision and keep the Mosaic Law in order to be saved. These teachers, known as Judaizers, argued that faith in Christ needed to be joined with circumcision and strict law-keeping. Paul counters by teaching that justification is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law; adding circumcision and law-keeping creates a different gospel and undermines Christ’s finished work. So the problem teachers are the Judaizers who advocated adherence to the Mosaic Law as a requirement for salvation, rather than Gnostics, Sadducees, or Pharisees with different concerns.