5:1 For freedom 1 Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke 2 of slavery.
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; 3 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, 4 but through love serve one another. 5
1 tn Translating the dative as “For freedom” shows the purpose for Christ setting us free; however, it is also possible to take the phrase in the sense of means or instrument (“with [or by] freedom”), referring to the freedom mentioned in 4:31 and implied throughout the letter.
2 sn Here the yoke figuratively represents the burdensome nature of slavery.
3 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.
4 tn Grk “as an opportunity for the flesh”; BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24;…Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”
5 tn It is possible that the verb δουλεύετε (douleuete) should be translated “serve one another in a humble manner” here, referring to the way in which slaves serve their masters (see L&N 35.27).