Traditional interpreters of the letter viewed Paul as confronting legalists. For instance, the Lutheran interpreter Lenski virtually equated “Judaistic circumcision and … legalism.”61 He wrote: At one time this was a great issue, namely when the gospel advanced from the Jews to the Gentiles; it is now dead save as it involves the great principle set forth by Paul that all legalism is abolished root and branch by gospel liberty. The church is still troubled on this score