For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. 2 It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. 4 You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from following [the] truth? 8 That enticement does not come from the one who called you. 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be. 11 As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves!
The Galatian Christians Paul is addressing are Gentile converts from paganism. Paul is telling them that since they have escaped the yoke of slavery to paganism, they should not submit themselves to the slavery of Judaism. The Judaisers had told them that in order to be saved they needed to be circumcised (Acts 15:1). Paul warned them that if they got circumcised, they would have to observe the entire law. They would fall from grace and be separated from Christ. They would be rejecting the New Covenant in Christ (Lk. 20:20) for the Old Covenant God made with Abraham (Gen. 17:2-14). By faith and through the Holy Spirit they must await the final righteousness promised with the full coming of God’s kingdom. Faith working through love is all that is of consequence.
The Galatians were progressing well in the faith, but someone is leading them astray. To follow the Judaisers’ advice is to ignore God’s call. They must be aware that the Judaisers’ teaching can easily spread and ruin the Church. Paul expresses confidence that the Galatian Christians will continue on the path he set them and whoever is trying to lead them astray will be punished accordingly. Paul had been accused of preaching circumcision so he asked why was he still being persecuted by those who preach circumcision if he also preached circumcision. If that is the case, then the stumbling block for the Jews has been removed (1 Cor. 1:23). Circumcision is unnecessary because of the Cross. Paul’s last statement might be referring to certain pagan priests known to the Galatians who used to ritually emasculate themselves.
Almighty
God, we give you thanks always and everywhere for the many graces you have
showered upon us. May the Cross of
Christ strengthen us to live in the spirit, and may our lives be free from sin
through the eternal sacrifice of your Son.
This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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