Galatians 5 1

Galatians 5:1 kjv

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 nkjv

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 niv

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 esv

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 nlt

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Galatians 5 verses

Galatians 5 1 Meaning

Galatians 5:1 declares, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." This verse is a powerful exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the believers in Galatia. It emphasizes that their liberation in Christ is a completed work, offering a call to remain steadfast in this freedom and reject any return to bondage, particularly the legalistic observances being promoted by some within the church who insisted on adhering to Mosaic Law for salvation.

Galatians 5 1 Context

Galatians 5:1 is situated within Paul's larger argument in the epistle of Galatians concerning salvation by faith in Jesus Christ apart from adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Galatian churches, initially established by Paul, were being infiltrated by "certain men" (Galatians 1:7) who promoted circumcision and adherence to the Law of Moses as necessary for true salvation and justification. Paul argues forcefully against this position, highlighting that such a stance effectively nullifies the work of Christ and reduces believers to a state of slavery under the Law, a position contrary to the freedom Christ purchased. This verse serves as a critical pivot point, transitioning from Paul's doctrinal refutations of Judaizing arguments to practical exhortations on living out the freedom found in Christ. The surrounding verses will speak about the fruit of the Spirit as the evidence of this freedom, contrasting it with the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5 1 Word Analysis

• For (gar - γάρ): A common conjunction indicating cause or explanation. It links this statement to the preceding arguments, signifying that the call to stand firm is because Christ has already secured their freedom.
• freedom (eleutheria - ἐλευθερίᾳ): Liberty, release from bondage. In this context, it specifically refers to the spiritual and relational freedom from sin, death, and the dominion of the Law, all achieved through Christ's redemptive work.
• Christ (Christou - Χριστοῦ): Refers to Jesus, the Messiah, the anointed One of God. The emphasis is on Christ's active role in securing this freedom.
• has set free (eleren - ἐλευθέρωσεν): Aorist tense, indicating a completed action. Christ's act of liberating believers is a finished work, a definitive break from previous bondage.
• us (hēmas - ἡμᾶς): The Apostle Paul includes himself with the Gentile believers, as well as Jewish believers who have found freedom in Christ, universally applying this liberation.
• Stand firm (stēkete - στήκετε): Present imperative, commanding a continuous action. It’s a call to maintain a stable position, to hold one's ground against any pressure to deviate.
• therefore (oun - οὖν): Another conjunctive particle, signaling a logical consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding statement. "Because we are free, therefore stand firm."
• and (kai - καί): Connects two clauses, indicating an addition or a further related command.
• not (mē - μή): A prohibitive particle used with the subjunctive mood to forbid something. It indicates a prohibition.
• again (pālin - πάλιν): Indicates a return to a previous state. The warning is against re-submitting to what they have been freed from.
• submit yourselves (enexchēte - ἐνεχθῆτε): Aorist subjunctive passive of enchō (ἐνχέω). Literally, to be poured into, or metaphorically, to be brought under. It conveys the idea of being subjected to something or bringing oneself under its power, usually unwillingly or in a slavish manner.
• to (eis - εἰς): A preposition indicating motion into or a change of condition.
• the yoke (zygon - ζυγόν): A yoke, an implement for joining animals together for work, symbolizing burden, subjection, and servitude.
• of slavery (douleias - δουλείας): Bondage, servitude, being a slave. The yoke is specifically one of slavery.

Words-Group Analysis

• "For freedom Christ has set us free": This is the foundational statement. The freedom is not earned or maintained by human effort but is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work. It’s a theological declaration of our status.
• "Stand firm therefore": This is the first imperative call, stemming directly from the reality of their freedom. It's an active call to persistence and unyielding commitment to this liberty.
• "and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery": This is the second, parallel imperative, a prohibition against reverting to bondage. The "yoke of slavery" vividly represents the burden and constraint of the Mosaic Law when relied upon for justification, or any system of religious legalism.

Galatians 5 1 Bonus Section

The concept of the "yoke of slavery" was a familiar metaphor in the ancient world. In the Old Testament, being yoked symbolized subjugation, often by oppressive empires (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:48 referring to the nations surrounding Israel, and Jeremiah 30:8 where God promises to break the "yoke" from His people's neck). In this passage, Paul uses it to depict the heavy, burdensome, and ultimately unachievable standard of the Mosaic Law when pursued for righteousness, rather than as a guide for those already saved. The emphasis on "again" highlights the hypocrisy of those teaching a return to something they themselves were likely seeking freedom from or which Christ had superseded. The "freedom" mentioned here is intrinsically linked to the "Spirit" (as detailed in chapter 5, verses 22-23), which produces the "fruit of the Spirit," a stark contrast to the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5 1 Commentary

The verse powerfully encapsulates the essence of the gospel. Believers are freed by Christ, and this freedom is not an invitation to license but a call to steadfastness. The "yoke of slavery" aptly describes the burden of the Law as a system of works for salvation. The Judaizers sought to reimpose this yoke, negating the completeness of Christ's sacrifice. Paul's instruction to "stand firm" is a charge to cherish and defend this hard-won liberty, refusing any entanglement with practices that imply dependence on law-keeping for acceptance with God. It is a constant reminder that our standing before God is solely through Christ, and our life in the Spirit flows from this reality.

• Practical Usage: If facing pressure to conform to religious rules or traditions for acceptance, remember Christ has already set you free. Stand firm in His grace, not in your own performance.
• Practical Usage: When tempted to revert to old patterns of sin or legalism after experiencing freedom in Christ, recall that returning to such "slavery" undermines the very freedom Christ secured.