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The Importance of Faith (Gal 5:1-12)

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. 2 It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. 4 You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from following [the] truth? 8 That enticement does not come from the one who called you. 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be. 11 As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves!

By his willing sacrifice on the cross, Christ set us free from the Law and its physical observance which cannot lead to justification (Gal. 2:4-5; 16).  Paul is imploring the Galatians not to listen to incorrect teaching about the Gospel (Gal. 1:7).  If they listen to the Judaisers, those Jewish converts who are preaching that converts need to be circumcised and follow certain Jewish customs, Christ cannot help them (v. 2).  The Galatians must choose between the freedom of Christ and the slavery of the entire Law (v. 3).  Through the Holy Spirit and by faith, we patiently wait in hope (Rom. 5:5-8) for the adoption of our bodies (v. 5; Rom. 8:23, 25).  Although it does not matter if one is circumcised or not, to follow the Judaisers' advice is to ignore God’s call (vv. 6-8).  Beware of their influence which can easily spread (v. 9).  Circumcision is unnecessary because of the Cross.  Paul’s last statement might be referring to certain pagan priests know to the Galatians who used to ritually emasculate themselves. 

We give thanks to you always and everywhere almighty God for the many graces you have showered upon us.  May the Cross of Christ strengthen us to live by the spirit, and may our lives be free from sin through the eternal sacrifice of your Son.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.

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