GALATIANS 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
Starting with the last verse Galatians 4:31 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. NSB* - So then represents the conclusion of the previous section, "therefore in" signals that Paul is going to apply this spiritual truth to the lives of the Galatian believers. To be children of the bondwoman is to be enslaved to the covenant from Mount Sinai (4:24,25), the Law Of Moses. To be "of the free" is to follow Abraham's example of faith (3:6-9), to be born according to the "Spirit". (3:2, 4:29), and to be destined for "Jerusalem above" (4:26). Understanding such realities the believer in Christ must continually "stand fast" in the liberty of not having to keep the Law Of Moses in order to be saved. The Galatians were on the verge of becoming enslaved to the law again.
Stand; Thayer denotes - 1) to stand firm 2) to persevere, to persist 3) to keep one's standing. To be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere. In this text, in freedom from legal bondage; The Greek word for stand is στήκω stēkō. Vine's (def B-7b), Strong's G4739.
Liberty; Thayer denotes - 1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation 2) fancied liberty 2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases 3) true liberty is living as we should not as we please. Strong's defines it as freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial). The Greek word for liberty is ἐλευθερία eleutheria. Strong's G1657.
Free; to liberate, i.e. (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability). Thayer denotes - 1) to make free 2) set at liberty: from the dominion of sin. Vine's - "to make free" (akin to A), is used of deliverance from. The Greek word used here is ἐλευθερόω eleutheroō. Vine's (def B-1b), Strong's G1659.
Entangled; to hold in or upon, i.e. ensnare; by implication, to keep a grudge. In this case of being "entangled" in a yoke of bondage, such as Judaism. The Greek word is ἐνέχω enechō. Vine's (def B-1b), Strong's G1758.
Acts 15:10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Moving to Verse 2.
Galatians 5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
NSB* - Notes for 5:2,3. The legalistic Jewish teachers in Galatia were urging believers to be circumcised (6:12-13). Paul points out that that changes the entire orientation of salvation away from God's grace to one's own actions. One who is circumcised in an attempt to gain God's acceptance is obligated to keep the whole law, which history has abundantly demonstrated no one can do (see Romans 3:10-18).
Notes Reference; Romans 3:10-18 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Circumcised; to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise. Thayer expands - 1) to cut around 2) to circumcise 2a) cut off one's prepuce (used of that well-known rite by which not only the male children of the Israelites, on the eighth day after birth, but subsequently also "proselytes of righteousness" were consecrated to Jehovah and introduced into the number of his people) 2b) to get one's self circumcised, present one's self to be circumcised, receive circumcision 2c) since by the rite of circumcision a man was separated from the unclean world and dedicated to God, the word is transferred to denote the extinguishing of lusts and the removal of sins. The Greek word used here is περιτέμνω peritemnō. Strong's G4059.
Profit; to help, aid, assist, succour, to be of use. Dobson denotes - I help, benefit, do good I help, benefit, do good, am useful (to). The Greek word used here is ὠφελέω ōpheleō. Strong's G5623.
My notes—I wasn't familiar with the word LSJ Gloss used, "succour." It means something that furnishes relief. Some spell checks don't even recognize it as a word, which means they are flawed because it's definitely a word.
Moving to Verse 3.
Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
Testify; to be adduced as a witness, i.e. (figuratively) to obtest (in affirmation or exhortation). Dobson denotes - I call to witness, testify, solemnly charge (properly: I call (summon) to witness, and then absolutely) I testify, protest, asseverate; I conjure, solemnly charge. The Greek word used here is μαρτύρομαι marturomai. Strong's G3143.
Debtor; Dobson denotes - a debtor, sinner (a) a debtor, one who owes, one who is indebted, (b) one who has sinned against another (an Aramaism), Strong's - a sinner. an ower, i.e. person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor (against God). Thayer expands - 1) one who owes another, a debtor 1a) one held by some obligation, bound by some duty 1b) one who has not yet made amends to whom he has injured: 1b1) one who owes God penalty or whom God can demand punishment as something due, i.e. a sinnerThe Greek word used here is ὀφειλέτης opheiletēs. Strong's G3781.
Moving to Verse 4.
Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
NSB* - Fallen from grace is understood by some to refer to the loss of salvation. However, "fallen from" may refer to their attitude and to the message that it communicates, rather than to eternal salvation.
The King James version renders this verse as follows -
Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Estranged; This is rendered "no effect" in the KJV. This has the idea of to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively. Which is the reason the New King James renders it "estranged". Dobson denotes - I bring to naught, sever, abolish (a) I make idle (inactive), make of no effect, annul, abolish, bring to naught, (b) I discharge, sever, separate from. The Greek word used here is καταργέω katargeō. Strong's G2673.
Justified; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent. Thayer expands - 1) to render righteous or such he ought to be 2) to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered 3) to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be. The Greek word used here is δικαιόω dik-ah-yo'-o. Strong's G1344.
Fallen; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient. LSJ Gloss denotes "to fall out of". The Greek word used here is ἐκπίπτω ekpiptō. Strong's G1601.
Takeaway: The idea here is that we are completely dependent on God's grace and we fall from grace or "depart" from it when we attempt to circumvent Christ's death and resurrection to return to what came before that. Going back to the Law of Moses in this text was in indication that some Galatians were convinced Christ's payment for our sins somehow wasn't good enough, so the Law is also still required for salvation.
Here are a few verses on our eternal security in Christ.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
John 6:37-40 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
1 Peter 1:4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
2 Corinthians 1:22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
*= Nelson Study Bible.
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