Galatians is a tense book, in which Paul fights furiously for the Gospel, addressing those in the church who were deserting the grace of Christ for the works of the law, and who were particularly emphasizing circumcision as a means of justification. Paul takes these false teachers head on, invoking his authority as an apostle and arguing fiercely for the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith in Christ. He also encourages the believers in their faith and gives some practical counsel on the fruits of the Spirit. The central theme of the book is freedom in Christ that results from the true Gospel.