Galatians 5:4

"Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law."

Key Reflection

In Galatians 5:4, Paul addresses his fellow Jews in the early Christian community who might have been pressuring believers to adhere strictly to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision. For the original audience, this would have meant that those embracing such practices were implicitly agreeing to fulfill all aspects of Jewish law, not just circumcision itself. This statement emphasizes the burden and comprehensive nature of legalism, challenging the Galatians to rely solely on Christ for salvation rather than relying on external rituals.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. Christ is become of no effect unto you. You will derive no advantage from Christ. His work in regard to you is needless and vain. If you can be justified in any other way than by him, then of course you do not need him, and your adoption of the other mode is, in fact, a renunciation of him. Tindal renders this, "Ye are gone quite from Christ." The word here used katargew means, properly, to render inactive, idle, useless; to do away, to put an end to; and here it means that they had withdrawn from Christ, if they attempted to be justified by the law. They would not need him if they could be thus justified; and they could derive no benefit from him.

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