Galatians 5

Galatians 5:1-26 . PERORATION. EXHORTATION TO STAND FAST IN THE GOSPEL LIBERTY, JUST SET FORTH, AND NOT TO BE LED BY JUDAIZERS INTO CIRCUMCISION, OR LAW JUSTIFICATION: YET THOUGH FREE, TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER BY LOVE: TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT, BEARING THE FRUIT THEREOF, NOT IN THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.

1. The oldest manuscripts read, "in liberty (so ALFORD, MOBERLEY, HUMPHRY, and ELLICOTT. But as there is no Greek for 'in,' as there is in translating in 1 Corinthians 16:13 , Philippians 1:27 , 4:1 , I prefer 'It is FOR freedom that') Christ hath made us free (not in, or for, a state of bondage). Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (namely, the law, Galatians 4:24 , Acts 15:10 ). On "again,"

2. Behold--that is, Mark what I say.
I Paul--Though you now think less of my authority, I nevertheless give my name and personal authority as enough by itself to refute all opposition of adversaries.
if ye be circumcised--not as ALFORD, "If you will go on being circumcised." Rather, "If ye suffer yourselves to be circumcised," namely, under the notion of its being necessary to justification ( Galatians 5:4 , Acts 15:1 ). Circumcision here is not regarded simply by itself (for, viewed as a mere national rite, it was practiced for conciliation's sake by Paul himself, Acts 16:3 ), but as the symbol of Judaism and legalism in general. If this be necessary, then the Gospel of grace is at an end. If the latter be the way of justification, then Judaism is in no way so.
Christ . . . profit . . . nothing--( Galatians 2:21 ). For righteousness of works and justification by faith cannot co-exist. "He who is circumcised [for justification] is so as fearing the law, and he who fears, disbelieves the power of grace, and he who disbelieves can profit nothing by that grace which he disbelieves [CHRYSOSTOM].

3. For--Greek, "Yea, more"; "Moreover."
I testify . . . to every man--as well as "unto you" ( Galatians 5:2 ).
that is circumcised--that submits to be circumcised. Such a one became a "proselyte of righteousness."
the whole law--impossible for man to keep even in part, much less wholly ( James 2:10 ); yet none can be justified by the law, unless he keep it wholly ( Galatians 3:10 ).

4. Literally, "Ye have become void from Christ," that is, your connection with Christ has become void ( Galatians 5:2 ). Romans 7:2 , "Loosed from the law," where the same Greek occurs as here.
whosoever of you are justified--"are being justified," that is, are endeavoring to be justified.
by the law--Greek, "IN the law," as the element in which justification is to take place.
fallen from grace--Ye no longer "stand" in grace ( Romans 5:2 ). Grace and legal righteousness cannot co-exist ( Romans 4:4 , 5:11:6 ). Christ, by circumcision ( Luke 2:21 ), undertook to obey all the law, and fulfil all righteousness for us: any, therefore, that now seeks to fulfil the law for himself in any degree for justifying righteousness, severs himself from the grace which flows from Christ's fulfilment of it, and becomes "a debtor to do the whole law" ( Galatians 5:3 ). The decree of the Jerusalem council had said nothing so strong as this; it had merely decided that Gentile Christians were not bound to legal observances. But the Galatians, while not pretending to be so bound, imagined there was an efficacy in them to merit a higher degree of perfection ( Galatians 3:3 ). This accounts for Paul not referring to the decree at all. He took much higher ground. See PALEY'S Horæ Paulinæ. The natural mind loves outward fetters, and is apt to forge them for itself, to stand in lieu of holiness of heart.