GALATIANS 5:5-10 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
NSB* - Faith in Christ brings about not only justification before God, but also growth in the Christian life until we are completely glorified by God and freed from the presence of sin. This is the hope of righteousness. We can be assured that we will be declared righteous before the Lord on the last day, because we have foretasted of that righteousness from the Spirit who lives within us. (2 Corinthians 5:5).
Note Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Eagerly Wait; The King James reads "wait" which means to expect fully or as Dobson puts it, I expect eagerly, wait for eagerly I expect eagerly, wait for eagerly, look for. The Greek word used here for "wait" is ἀπεκδέχομαι apekdechomai. Strong's G553.
Moving to Verse 6
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
NSB* - By faith it is possible to fulfill Christ's command to love one's neighbor. (John 13:34-35).
Note Reference: John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Circumcision; See this study under circumcision.
Uncircumcision; foreskin (a technical word of Jewish use) foreskin, prepuce: used sometimes as a slang term by Jews, of Gentiles. Strong's defines it as the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person. The Greek word used here is ἀκροβυστία akrobustia. Strong's G203.
Avails Anything; Thayer denotes - 1) to be strong
1a) to be strong in body, to be robust, to be in sound health 2) to have power 2a) to have power as shown by extraordinary deeds 2a1) to exert, wield power, to have strength to overcome 2b) to be a force, avail 2c) to be serviceable 2d) to be able, can. The Greek word used here for "avail" is ἰσχύω ischuō. Strong's G2480.
My Notes - so in this text the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul that in Christ your status regarding circumcision is not going to impact faith working through love for the person who is in Christ.
My Notes - so in this text the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul that in Christ your status regarding circumcision is not going to impact faith working through love for the person who is in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
Moving to verses 7 and 8
Galatians 5:7-8 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
NSB* - You ran well; The Galatians' splendid start in the race of the Christian life had not continued. Their detour into legalism certainly was not God's will.
NSB* - You ran well; The Galatians' splendid start in the race of the Christian life had not continued. Their detour into legalism certainly was not God's will.
Hindered; to beat back, i.e. check. TBESG defines it as "to hinder", 1. to drive back , [8th/7th c.BC] 2. to beat back an assailant, [Refs 5th c.BC] 3. to stop:—; Pass. to be stopped, stop short , τινός from a thing, [Refs 2nd c.AD] (ML). The Greek word used here is ἀνακόπτω anakoptō. Strong's G348.
Obeying; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty). Thayer expands - 1) persuade 1a) to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe 1b) to make friends of, to win one's favour, gain one's good will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one
Obeying; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty). Thayer expands - 1) persuade 1a) to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe 1b) to make friends of, to win one's favour, gain one's good will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one
1c) to tranquillise 1d) to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one to persuasion to do something 2) be persuaded 2a) to be persuaded, to suffer one's self to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing 2a1) to believe
2a2) to be persuaded of a thing concerning a person 2b) to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with 3) to trust, have confidence, be confident. The Greek word used here is πείθω peithō.
Persuasion; Thayer defines this as 1) persuasion 2) treacherous or deceptive persuasion. Strong's defines it as persuadableness, i.e. credulity. The Greek word used here is πεισμονή peismonē. Strong's G3988
Cross Reference: 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
Moving to verses 9-10
Galatians 5:9-10 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear His judgment, whoever he is.
NSB* - Leaven symbolizes the intruders with their false doctrine and its sinister influence. They were taking the gospel of free forgiveness away from the Galatians. The one who causes such harm will experience God's judgment. (2 Corinthians 5:10. )
Persuasion; Thayer defines this as 1) persuasion 2) treacherous or deceptive persuasion. Strong's defines it as persuadableness, i.e. credulity. The Greek word used here is πεισμονή peismonē. Strong's G3988
Moving to verses 9-10
Galatians 5:9-10 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear His judgment, whoever he is.
NSB* - Leaven symbolizes the intruders with their false doctrine and its sinister influence. They were taking the gospel of free forgiveness away from the Galatians. The one who causes such harm will experience God's judgment. (2 Corinthians 5:10. )
Note reference - 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Leaven; Thayer denotes, 1) leaven 2) metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others Leaven is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing; either in a good sense as in the parable Matthew. 13:33; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump". Strong's defines it as ferment (as if boiling up). The Greek word is ζύμη zumē. Strong's G2219.
Leaven; Thayer denotes, 1) leaven 2) metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others Leaven is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing; either in a good sense as in the parable Matthew. 13:33; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump". Strong's defines it as ferment (as if boiling up). The Greek word is ζύμη zumē. Strong's G2219.
Leavens; This is actually a different Greek word and it means to cause to ferment. This Greek word is ζυμόω zumoō. Strong's G2220.
Lump; a mass or lump. a mass or lump, as of bread dough. denotes that which is mixed or kneaded" (phurao, "to mix"); hence, "a lump," either of dough. It is also used of potter's clay. The Greek word is φύραμα phurama. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G5445.
Judgment; Dodson denotes - a judgment, verdict, lawsuit (a) a judgment, a verdict; sometimes implying an adverse verdict, a condemnation, (b) a case at law, a lawsuit. Strong's defines it as a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")). Denotes the result of the action signified by the verb krino, "to judge;" for its general significance, in this text of God's "judgment" upon men. The Greek word used here is κρίμα krima. Vine's (def 2) Strong's G2917.
Takeaway -
- In this text, Paul is talking about the Galatians specifically and those who wickedly went out of their way to drive these believers back to the law. This isn't just a warning, it's a full rebuke. In today's circles, I see too many so-called "anointed" actually deriding and savagely attacking new Christians who are trying to find their way. While I agree that new Christians should not be teaching in most cases there are ways to correct new brothers and sisters in love that does not "persuade" or "hinder" them from growth or walking with God at all. We need to think about when we first came to faith. Were we guided, corrected, or at times rebuked with the love of Christ, or were we beaten down, gossiped about, and savagely attacked for every perceived infraction?
*= Nelson Study Bible.
Comments