Galatians 5:1

Freedom of the Believer

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.

Galatians 5:11

5:11 Now, brothers and sisters, ³  if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? ⁴  In that case the offense of the cross ⁵  has been removed. ⁶ 

Galatians 6:14

6:14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which ⁷  the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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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 sn That is, if Paul still teaches observance of the Mosaic law (preaches circumcision), why is he still being persecuted by his opponents, who insist that Gentile converts to Christianity must observe the Mosaic law?

⁵ sn The offense of the cross refers to the offense to Jews caused by preaching Christ crucified.

⁶ tn Or “nullified.”

⁷ tn Or perhaps, “through whom,” referring to the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the cross.