The Concept of Law in Galatians
The Concept of Law in Galatians

Summary/Abstract: This study analyses the concept of the Law in the Epistle to the Galatians, highlighting how the Apostle Paul reinterprets the Mosaic Law in the light of Christ's grace and new Christian identity. Starting from God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14), the research shows how the sign of circumcision, initially an ethnic, social and gender act, becomes the foundation of a universal spiritual belonging in Christ, removing traditional delimitations. The study then examines the Pauline perspective on the Law, highlighting its role as a mirror of sin and a teacher of faith, emphasizing the shift from the religion of the Law to the religion of grace. The analysis also includes the decision of the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem, which establishes that salvation does not depend on the observance of the Law by the Gentiles, and the dispute between Paul and Peter (Galatians 2:11-16), which emphasizes the importance of moral coherence and the universality of grace. Finally, the commentary on Galatians 3:23-29 highlights how faith and baptism confer a new spiritual identity, uniting believers across ethnic, social, and gender boundaries. The importance of study for today's world is twofold. On a biblical and theological level, the research contributes to the understanding of the pedagogical and soteriological role of the Law in the economy of salvation and of the relevance of grace in the life of contemporary Christian communities. On a practical level, the analysis involves a reflection on equality and inclusion in religious communities and on how faith can transcend social and cultural barriers, providing models of coexistence and spiritual solidarity. Therefore, the study makes an integrative contribution to Pauline exegesis, revealing the continuity between the Abrahamic Covenant and Christian identity in Christ, as well as its ethical and pastoral impact on contemporary Christianity.

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