Galatians 5:2-6
Summary for Gal 5:2-6: 5:2-6 a The Judaizers taught that keeping the law would earn God’s favor (cp. Acts 15:1 b), 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 c 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 d Those who seek righteousness through the law must obey every regulation of it (see 2:15-16 e; cp. Jas 2:10 f).
5:4 g 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 h); they are under the judgment of the law. They have fallen away from the benefits of God’s grace (cp. Gal 1:6 i; 1 Pet 5:12 j).
5:5 k The alternative to living by faith in the law is to live by complete reliance on the Spirit to make us pleasing to God.
• eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us (or eagerly await by faith the hope that righteousness gives us): We receive God’s righteousness at our salvation (Rom 5:9-11 l; 10:10 m), in an ongoing way through the Spirit’s sanctification (Rom 8:1-14 n), and fully at the resurrection when Christ returns (Rom 8:18-30 o). It is God’s power that provides righteousness, and he fulfills his promise (Gal 3:14 p, 22 q).
5:6 r Faith in Christ Jesus provides access to all of God’s favor and grace, so no further benefit is available through human effort. Faith is expressed by exercising love toward others (cp. Rom 13:10 s; 14:17-19 t; 2 Cor 8:8-13 u).
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