Galatians Chapter 5

vs 1

So in concluding his argument, Paul states that we are saved for freedom in Christ, not slavery. Yes, Paul says in Romans that we are slaves to God instead of slaves to sin, and that is true. But as Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light". Slavery to God is freedom compared to slavery to sin. One treats you like a son, the other beats you like a red-headed step-slave.

vs 2

Now obviously getting circumcised doesn't make your salvation leak out of your lack of foreskin. Paul is saying that if you follow a conviction to get circumcised because someone has told you it is necessary for your salvation, then you are putting your faith in something other than Christ.

vs 3

Restating his point - that a lawbreaker is guilty of breaking the whole law if he breaks just one part of it. So if you have faith that following the step of circumcision is going to help you spiritually, then you better stop eating shellfish and making sacrifices at the temple!

vs 4

It's not God working against himself here. It is not the Law that alienates us from Christ because the Law is some bad thing. It's our refusal to accept that Christ is the fulfilment of the Law that separates us from Christ!

vs 5

Paul will have no bar of it. He awaits God's righteousness by faith. And it is his hope - an assurance that he has.

vs 6

THE ONLY THING you idiots! Cutting off your foreskin is not pleasing to God. Baptism won't get you to heaven. Nor will regular church attendance. Nor will driving safely.Nor will converting the heathen. Taking communion, giving money, being nice to people? Will not get you to heaven.

Jesus really is the narrow door.

vs 7

It almost sounds like Queensland driving - "You were driving along on a Queensland motorway - who cut in and forced you to break the road rules?" (the answer inevitably being a Queensland driver).

It's a rhetorical question, made to make the Galatians think about the people who have led them astray. They know full well who has taught them this stuff. Paul probably knows too. But anyone who would try and stop you from running your race for God, who are they and why are you letting them?

vs 8

These people are not the kind of people you should listen to! They do not come from God! Satan is a master at this game - making you think of urgent things you've got to do (Oh, I've got to have a baby because of my biological clock! Oh, I've got to buy a house and get a mortgage because time is running out! Oh, I've got to get married or I'll die alone! What if I never get to travel overseas or swim with dolphins!?!) which are absolutely not essential to your salvation or your service of God. If they come along, you do them, you thank God for them, you move on. But if you want to look at priorities, nothing has higher priority than serving God. Ever. Your own self and interests are temporary. Family can burn. Houses can fall. Marriages break up and dolphins leave the earth. But your relationship with God is eternal.

vs 9

You wonder why heresies always seem to pop up so quickly and spread? Because they are like a mould or a bacteria. One person starts following stupid practices, and then another, then another and so on and so on. They are attractive. If they weren't, people wouldn't follow them. They teach a special knowledge, or they make something easier to understand, or they seem to make sense, or they appeal to your emotions, or your understanding of how things work.