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The Importance of Faith Working Through Love (Gal 5:1-12)

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! 

Paul emphasizes that Christ's death and resurrection have freed believers from the yoke of the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:10).  They should not revert to the law that negates the freedom won by Christ.  He warns the Galatians that undergoing circumcision as a means of justification nullifies the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice.  It is a symbolic act of re-adhering to the old covenant and being obligated to follow all the regulations of the Mosaic Law.  It implies that the grace of Christ is insufficient for salvation and circumcision would disconnect them from the new covenant established by Christ’s atonement (Jer. 31:31-34; Luke 22:20).  By seeking justification through the law, the Galatians not only undermine Christ’s work but also sever their relationship with Him, as faith in Christ is the only means of remaining in communion with God under the New Covenant.  Paul’s language of being “separated from Christ” and “falling from grace” emphasizes that this is not merely spiritual but relational, a turning away from Christ’s gift of grace.  Separation from Christ’s grace is spiritual in nature and those who are willing to adopt circumcision as a means of obtaining righteousness before God place themselves outside of the realm of grace, trusting in their own efforts rather than Christ’s atonement.  While this doesn’t immediately mean they lose salvation entirely, it signifies that they are returning to a system of justification that cannot save them. 

Paul states that the Christian life is marked by faith, which brings about righteousness (Rom. 1:17), and whether one is circumcised or not is insignificant.  The only thing that matters is “faith working through love.”  Authentic faith manifests love which fulfills the law because it is the greatest commandment (Matt 22:37-40).  Paul uses the metaphor of a race to illustrate the Galatians' earlier adherence to the Gospel.  He expresses disappointment at their turning away from the truth due to external influences, likely the Judaizers, who were advocating circumcision as necessary for salvation.  The teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation does not come from God but from human agents who are perverting the truth.  

Paul tells the Galatians that just as a small amount of yeast affects the whole dough, so too can a small deviation from the truth affect the entire community of believers.  Even minor adherence to the law can lead to a total rejection of the Gospel’s message of grace.  This highlights how reverting to legalism is not a trivial issue but something that can corrupt the Galatians’ entire understanding of salvation, undermining their faith. Paul expresses confidence that God’s grace will lead the Galatians back to the truth and that there will be consequences for those leading them astray with false doctrines.

There was a rumor that Paul might be advocating circumcision, but he argues that he would not be facing persecution from the Jewish authorities if he were.  Paul’s point is that the very fact he is persecuted proves he is standing firm in the message of the cross, which scandalizes those who rely on the law.  Paul’s last statement about the Judaisers was a play on the act of circumcision by referring to certain practices by pagan cults where full castration was practiced,  By using this exaggerated statement, Paul expresses his disdain for the Judaizers’ insistence on circumcision, suggesting that if they are so intent on mutilation, they might as well take it to the extreme.  This highlights the absurdity of their position and his desire for the Galatians to see how incompatible their teachings are with the Gospel of Grace.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have set us free by your grace and love.  Help us to stand firm in the freedom you have won for us.  May our faith always work through love, and may we never seek justification through our own efforts, but trust wholly in your sacrifice.  This we pray in your name.  Amen!
                                                       
References
  • McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
  • Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
  • Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
  • Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
  • Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
  • Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
  • Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
  • McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.

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