Galatians 5:1-4
5:1 a Paul succinctly summarizes his message to the Galatians, decrying their foolish behavior and offering a positive alternative—freedom.• So Christ has truly set us free: Christians are free to walk by faith in Christ alone (cp. Rom 8 b).
• don’t get tied up (literally don’t take on a yoke): In Judaism, it was a duty and an honor to “take the yoke of the law.” God’s children in Christ are not called to bear this heavy burden (see Luke 11:46 c; Acts 15:10 d); instead, they enjoy Christ’s yoke of freedom (Matt 11:28-30 e).
Summary for Gal 5:2-6: 5:2-6 f The Judaizers taught that keeping the law would earn God’s favor (cp. Acts 15:1 g), but that path actually leads to alienation from God. Real righteousness comes to those who live in Christ by the power of the Spirit. 5:2 h Paul reminded the Galatians of who was talking to them: the apostle of Christ who represented the Lord to the Gentiles and who had first proclaimed the Good News to them.
5:3 i Those who seek righteousness through the law must obey every regulation of it (see 2:15-16 j; cp. Jas 2:10 k).
5:4 l People who think circumcision is necessary for salvation are putting faith in the law and in themselves, not in Christ. Such people are cut off from Christ, outside of his grace (cp. Rom 5:2 m); they are under the judgment of the law. They have fallen away from the benefits of God’s grace (cp. Gal 1:6 n; 1 Pet 5:12 o).
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