To correct the error of the Judaizers–which is to insist that Gentiles undergo circumcision and live like Jews in order to be justified–Paul makes a series of important distinctions in his letter to the Galatians. He contrasts faith and works, the Spirit and the flesh, the law and the gospel, as well as carefully distinguishing between the covenants God made with Abraham (in which Abraham was reckoned as righteous), and the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai, (in which the law of God was given to his people).
The covenant God made with Abraham is gracious, while the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai is closely tied to the blessing/curse principle. The Judaizers conflated these two covenants, thereby mistakenly seeing the sign and seal of God’s gracious covenant with Abraham (circumcision), through the lens of the blessing curse principle, thereby turning circumcision into a meritorious work.
For Paul, the heart of the matter (and the basis for keeping the two covenants distinct) is the coming of Jesus, who, by becoming a curse for us when crucified upon the cross, takes away the curse we’ve earned and which we deserve.
Throughout this section, Paul is teaching us how we ought to read and understand the Old Testament in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ, in whom all of God’s gracious covenant promises are fulfilled. That, of course, is a vital and important exercise.
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