PhilosopherJay wrote of chapters 1 and 2 of Galatians,
beowulf wrote,"Paul's whole discussion of his fights with the Jews in Jerusalem would be a long and pointless digression unless these Jews were the same people trying to get the Galatians to follow Jewish laws."
beowulf asked,"I don’t know what is it that you believe happened in Galatia, but for Martyn, and others, Galatia is only one incident more in a long protracted ‘cold war’ between him [Paul] and powerful elements in the Jerusalem church."
"What do you think happened in Galatia?"
Paul does not provide enough information to clearly characterize the local opposition in Galatia. Perhaps he's not even really sure who they were beyond the fact that they were promoting circumcision.
But he certainly doesn't give enough information to conclude they were representatives from Jerusalem --- nor does he provide enough information to conclude they were even another group of Christians for which no other evidence exists. However, Jews were widespread throughout the Diaspora.
I believe the most logical and simple solution is this ----
The local opposition in Galatia were Jews --- likely friends, neighbors, or other associates of some from Paul's congregation. Many in Paul's congregation were well-versed in the Jewish scriptures, otherwise Paul's complex arguments from the scriptures in chapters 3 and 4 of his letter would be of little meaning to his group. Perhaps before Paul came along, some within his group were Gentile “God-fearers” participating in some Jewish activities. What is clear, is that being part of the “Israel of God” was of utmost importance to Paul's Galatian congregation.
The local opposition in Galatia was not concerned that Paul's group revered and honored a novel heavenly spirit ---- a “good savior” derived from the Jewish scriptures by means of allegorical midrash. But what the opponents did object to was that members of Paul's congregation would claim to now be full participants with the people of Israel without the benefit of circumcision for the men.
robert j.