Read & explore together
Freedom in Christ
Paul urges the Galatians to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given. He warns that seeking justification by law leads away from grace, and he shows that Christian freedom is meant to become loving service toward others.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he addresses pressure connected with circumcision and responds to teaching that pulls people towards justification by law. He contrasts that with the Spirit, faith, love, and a shared life that builds up the whole community rather than harming it.
Galatians 5:1–15Main takeaway
In Galatians 5:1–15, freedom in Christ means not seeking justification by law and using freedom to serve others in love.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Stand firm in freedomPaul begins with a command to stand firm in the liberty Christ has given and not return to a yoke of bondage.
Explanation
Paul begins with a command to stand firm in the liberty Christ has given and not return to a yoke of bondage. He says that receiving circumcision in this argument means becoming obligated to do the whole law, and those seeking justification by law are turning away from grace.
02What counts in ChristPaul then states the alternative clearly. Through the Spirit, by faith, believers wait for the hope of righteousness.
Explanation
Paul then states the alternative clearly. Through the Spirit, by faith, believers wait for the hope of righteousness. In Christ Jesus, circumcision and uncircumcision do not amount to anything in themselves. What matters here is faith working through love, joining trust with a loving way of life.
03Troubling teaching spreadsPaul says the Galatians had been running well, then asks who interfered with their obedience to the truth.
Explanation
Paul says the Galatians had been running well, then asks who interfered with their obedience to the truth. He says this persuasion is not from the one who calls them. His image of a little yeast spreading through the whole lump shows how a small influence can affect an entire group.
04The cross still offendsPaul says he has confidence in the Lord about them, while the one troubling them will bear judgement.
Explanation
Paul says he has confidence in the Lord about them, while the one troubling them will bear judgement. He adds that if he were still preaching circumcision, he would not still be persecuted. Instead, the cross remains a stumbling block. His wish in verse 12 is deliberately sharp against those who are disturbing the church.
05Freedom becomes lovePaul returns to their calling: they were called for freedom, yet freedom must not become an opportunity for the flesh.
Explanation
Paul returns to their calling: they were called for freedom, yet freedom must not become an opportunity for the flesh. Instead, they are to serve one another through love. He says the whole law is fulfilled in loving your neighbour, and he warns them not to destroy each other by biting and devouring one another.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul treat receiving circumcision here as more than one small action?
Trace his argument from circumcision to obligation to do the whole law, then to seeking justification by law and falling away from grace.
02What does Paul say matters in Christ Jesus, and how is that different from the debate about circumcision?
Notice the contrast between circumcision and uncircumcision, and the positive statement Paul makes about faith working through love.
03How do verses 13 to 15 show the right use of freedom in the church?
Look for Paul’s command about serving one another, his quotation about loving your neighbour, and his warning against biting and devouring one another.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Galatians 5:1–15
1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
5For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
8This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9A little yeast grows through the whole lump.
10I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.
12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.
13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.