In chapter 3, Paul calls the Galatians foolish for trying to return to the law. He says those who rely on the works of the law are under malediction (a curse). No one, he explains, is justified before God by the deeds of the law. In fact, anyone who tries to live by the law places himself under a curse, because the law requires perfect obedience, stumbling even once brings condemnation. Paul makes it clear that justification does not come through the law, and that the law was only added until Christ came.

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"This only would I learn of you, received ye the spirit by the deeds of the law? or else by preaching of the faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh?" Gal 3 2

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"For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction." Gal 3 10

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In chapter 4, Paul goes further. He says those pushing the law are acting carnally and trying to bring spiritually minded believers back into bondage. After receiving the Holy Spirit, he asks why they would return to what he calls the “weak and beggarly ceremonies”:

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"But now seeing ye know God (yea rather are known of God) how is it that ye turn again unto the weak and beggarly ceremonies, where unto again ye desire a fresh to be in bondage?" Gal 4 9

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He then uses the example of Abraham’s two sons, one born from the bondwoman and one from the freewoman, to illustrate the difference between the two covenants. The child of the old covenant is born into bondage under the law, while the child of the new covenant is born free in the Spirit through Christ.

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Paul continues the warning in chapter 5:

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"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and wrap not yourselves again in the yoke of bondage. Behold I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing at all" Gal 5 1

He even says plainly that if someone seeks justification through circumcision and the law, Christ profits them nothing.

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Paul is explicit: if you seek to be justified by the law, Christ is of no benefit to you:

 

"Ye are gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from grace. We look for and hope to be justified by the spirit which cometh of faith. Gal 5 4

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In chapter 6, Paul instead encourages believers to live by the Spirit and to fulfill the law of Christ.

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"For in Christ Jesu nether circumcision availeth any thing at all nor uncircumcision: but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon Israel that pertaineth to God" Gal 6 15

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Earlier, in chapter 2, Paul also warns about those secretly observing believers who live in the freedom of Christ, seeking an opportunity to bring them back under the bondage of the law. He even recounts confronting leaders who were drifting back toward that same error.

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"incomers being false brethren, which came in among others to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" Gal 2 4
 

Paul summarizes the entire matter clearly:

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"know that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law: but by the faith of Jesus Christ: and we have believed on Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the deeds of the law: because that no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the law: If then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again that which I destroyed, then make I my self a trespasser. But I thorow the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ." Gal 2 16

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He then adds:

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"I despise not the grace of God: For if righteousness come of the law, then is Christ dead in vain. Gal 2 21