Galatians 5:1-13

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (v1). The Galatian non-Jewish believers who had trusted Jesus as Savior were feeling pressured to accept circumcision to prove their “holiness.” But Paul said that if they tried to achieve holiness by following the Law in this way, they would be rejecting the gift of Jesus (v2-4). Jesus’ own life, death, and resurrection had fulfilled the Law for everyone; circumcision was pointless (v6) and suggested a lack of faith.

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness” (v5). Laws can’t make us holy. What counts is “faith working through love” (v6).