Galatians 5:4 - Freedom in Christ

You who are trying to be justified by the law
This phrase addresses those who seek righteousness through adherence to the Mosaic Law. In the context of Galatians, Paul is confronting the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile Christians must follow Jewish customs, including circumcision, to be saved. Historically, the Law was given to Israel as a covenant at Mount Sinai, serving as a guide to holiness and a means to reveal sin (Romans 3:20). However, Paul emphasizes that justification, or being declared righteous before God, cannot be achieved through the Law (Galatians 2:16). This reflects the broader biblical narrative that righteousness comes through faith, as exemplified by Abraham (Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3).

have been severed from Christ
The imagery of being "severed" suggests a cutting off or separation, indicating a serious spiritual consequence. In the New Testament, Christ is often depicted as the vine, and believers as branches (John 15:5). To be severed from Christ implies losing the vital connection that sustains spiritual life. This separation occurs when individuals rely on the Law rather than faith in Christ for salvation. Theologically, this underscores the exclusivity of Christ as the source of salvation (Acts 4:12) and the futility of attempting to earn God's favor through human effort.

you have fallen away from grace
"Fallen away from grace" suggests a departure from the principle of grace, which is unmerited favor from God. Grace is central to the gospel message, as salvation is a gift from God, not a result of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Galatians' attempt to be justified by the Law represents a shift from reliance on God's grace to self-reliance. This echoes the warning in Hebrews 6:4-6 about the dangers of turning away from the grace of God. Theologically, this phrase highlights the tension between law and grace, emphasizing that grace is the foundation of the New Covenant, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-13).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in Galatia about the dangers of legalism and the importance of faith in Christ.

2. Galatians
The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were being influenced by Judaizers to follow Jewish law for justification.

3. Judaizers
A group within the early church advocating that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, particularly circumcision, to be justified.

4. Christ
Central figure in Christianity, whose grace and sacrifice are the means of justification, as opposed to adherence to the law.

5. The Law
Refers to the Mosaic Law, which some early Christians believed was necessary for salvation alongside faith in Christ.

Teaching Points

Justification by Faith Alone
Emphasize that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the law. This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

The Danger of Legalism
Legalism, or the belief that one can earn God's favor through works, severs believers from the grace offered through Christ. It is crucial to rely on grace rather than personal merit.

Understanding Grace
Grace is unmerited favor from God. Believers must live in the freedom that grace provides, not returning to the bondage of the law.

The Role of the Law
While the law serves to reveal sin, it cannot save. Its purpose is to lead us to Christ, who fulfills the law on our behalf.

Living in Freedom
Christians are called to live in the freedom of the Spirit, not under the yoke of the law. This freedom should lead to a life of love and service, not self-indulgence.

(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you.--Literally, Ye were (or, more idiomatically, are) abolished, made nothing, from Christ; a condensed form of expression for, Ye are made nothing (unchristianised), and cut off from Christ. Your relations to Christ are cancelled, and you are Christians no longer.

Are justified.--Strictly, seek to be justified.

Ye are fallen from grace.--The Christian is justified by an act of grace, or free, unearned favour, on the part of God. He who seeks for justification in any other way loses this grace. Grace is not here a state or disposition in the believer, but a divine act or relation.

Verse 4. - Christ is become of no effect unto you (κατηργήθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ξριστοῦ); or, ye have disconnected yourselves from Christ. The verb καταργεῖν is a favourite word with St. Paul, occurring twenty-seven times in his Epistles, including twice in the Hebrews, whilst in the rest of the New Testament it occurs only once, and that in the Pauline St. Luke (Luke 13:7). Its proper meaning is "to make inoperative," "make of no effect," as above (Galatians 3:17). The phrase, καταργεῖσθαι ἀπό, etc., occurs Romans 7:2, "If the husband die (κατήργηται ἀπό), she is discharged from the law of the husband;" it ceases to have any effect upon her; so ibid., ver. 6, "Now we have been discharged from the Law (κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμον);" it has ceased to have any operation towards us. The phrase combines the two ideas - separation suggested by the ἀπό (comp. Romans 9:3), and the cessation of a work (ἔργον) or an effect till then wrought by one upon the other of the two parties: the two parties have nothing more to do with each other. The sense given in the Authorized Version is perfectly justifiable; only, perhaps, here the passive takes, as it sometimes does, the reflective sense of the middle verb; but it may be that the apostle means simply to express the result which has accrued. The aorist tense of κατηργήθητε, as well as of the ἐξεπέσατε, expresses the certainty and promptness with which the result followed upon the (supposed) act. Whosoever of you are justified by the Law (oi%tine e)n no/mw"" δικαιοῦσθε); such of you as go about to be justified by the Law. "By the Law;" literally, in the Law; seek to find in the Law the means of justification (cf. Galatians 3:11, and note). The present tense is the present of design or endeavour; the result in this case being, in fact, unattainable (Galatians 3:10, 21). Ye are fallen from grace (τῆς χάριτος ἐξεπέσατε); ye have fallen from the state of grace. "Grace" denotes the condition of acceptance with God into which faith in Christ brings us. Cf. Romans 5:2: "Through whom we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." The verb ἐκπίπτω is used as in 2 Peter 3:17, "Lest - ye fall from (ἐκτέσητε) your own steadfastness." So πίπτω, Revelation 2:5, "Remember whence thou hast fallen [πέπτωκας: Receptus, ἐκπέπτωκας]." In classical Greek the verb was frequently used as a set term to describe those who, in the alternating success of adverse factions in the several independent cities of Greece, were compelled by a more powerful adverse party to submit to exile; its correlative verb being ἐκβάλλω. This fact leads Bishop Lightfoot, having an eye to the ἔκβαλε of Galatians 4:30, to render ἐξεπέσατε here, "are driven forth and banished with Hagar your mother." But this very idiomatic colour of meaning it seems very precarious to give to the word in the Greek of St. Paul. The more general signification of the term is amply sustained by its use in Plutarch as cited by Wetstein. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

{You} who
οἵτινες (hoitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

are [trying] to be justified
δικαιοῦσθε (dikaiousthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1344: From dikaios; to render just or innocent.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Law
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

have been severed
κατηργήθητε (katērgēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2673: From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

Christ;
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

you have fallen away
ἐξεπέσατε (exepesate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1601: From ek and pipto; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient.

from
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

grace.
χάριτος (charitos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

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