Paul explains to the Galatian church that they have a profound freedom in Christ. He also explains that they were made free, and refers to freedom to live a Holy life by faith in Christ and the cross. He encourages them not to abandon the cross and go under the old law.
The Pharisees (false teachers) taught that one needed to be circumcised. Paul believed that under circumcision, the Galatians will experience once again the anxiety, guilt burdened life that they knew before as pagans. In chapter 4, we discussed that law-keeping religion can be a form of slavery. In Galatians chapter 5, Paul is reminding the Galatian church of the slavery and that they don’t want to go back. As we read verse 6, we find that circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. This means it has no power. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. The evidence of true faith is the fact of the Love which stems from faith.
Verse 13 tells us that we were called to be free and to live a Holy life. We live under grace, but we still have consequences for our sins. He also tells us that we should serve one another humbly in love. Paul’s constant concern is how we will use our freedom. He warns us not to abuse gospel freedom.
Wendell Butler