Chapter 5

5:1: Paul asked the Galatians to stand firm against the lies of the Judaizers and against the deception of being brought back under the yoke of slavery and of the law. Although Jews saw the yoke of the Law as a good and righteous thing, Paul here calls it a yoke of slavery. The statements made here also mark the main points that Paul made in Chapters Three and Four.

5:2: Paul here wasn't condemning physical circumcision but rather the trust and faith that someone might have in their own flesh and obedience to the law rather than to Christ. We cannot trust in our own works and righteousness and still let Christ's sacrifice be of benefit to us. He set us free and we must walk in the freedom and liberty which we have been given.

5:3: Any one who receives circumcision as if to follow the law in obedience is under obligation to keep the whole law of God.

5:4: Just as the flesh of the foreskin is severed in the act of circumcision, so is the one who willingly receives circumcision in the act of trying to follow the law of God severed from Christ. Paul here says "you who are being justified by the Law" but it is apparent that he rather means "you who are trying to be justified by the Law" for we know that the Law can bring or impute righteousness to no one. Those who rely on their own works as their salvation have been severed from the grace of God for they try to earn that which they cannot attain by their own means and will.

5:5: