Galatians 5:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 5:1-12

In the former part of this chapter the apostle cautions the Galatians to take heed of the judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to bring them back under the bondage of the law. He had been arguing against them before, and had largely shown how contrary the principles and spirit of those teachers were to the spirit of the gospel; and now this is as it were the general inference or application of all that discourse. Since it appeared by what had been said that we can be justified only by faith in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 5:1-12

5:1-12 Look now it is I, Paul, who am speaking to you I tell you that if you get yourself circumcised Christ is no good to you. Again I give my word to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is under obligation to keep the whole law. You who seek to get yourselves right with God by means of legalism have got yourself into a position in which you have rendered ineffective all that Christ did for you. You have fallen from grace. For it is by the Spirit and by faith that we eagerly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:2

Behold, I Paul say unto you ,.... The apostle proceeds to give some reasons and arguments to enforce the above exhortation and dissuasion: the first of which is introduced with a note of attention, "behold"; what he was about to say being matter of great moment and importance; and also mentions himself by name, as the assertor of it; and that, either because his name was well known to them, and the rather because of his apostolical authority; and to show his full assurance of this matter,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:3

For I testify again to every man ,.... This is the form of an oath, a calling God to witness, swearing by the living God, and declaring as in his presence to every man, whether Jew or Gentile, whoever he be: that is circumcised ; in order to obtain salvation, and as necessary to it: that he is a debtor to do the whole law ; and this it is that made circumcision an insupportable yoke, for that itself might be bore, and was bore by children of eight days old; but the fulfilling of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:2

If ye be circumcised - By circumcision you take on you the whole obligation of the Jewish law, and consequently profess to seek salvation by means of its observances; and therefore Christ can profit you nothing; for, by seeking justification by the works of the law, you renounce justification by faith in Christ. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:3

He is a debtor to do the whole law - Lays himself, by receiving circumcision, under the obligation to fulfill all its precepts, ordinances, etc. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:2

Verse 2 2.Behold, I Paul. He could not have pronounced a severer threatening than that it would exclude them entirely from the grace of Christ. But what is the meaning of this, that Christ will profit nothing to all who are circumcised? Did Christ profit nothing to Abraham? Nay, it was in order that Christ might profit him that he received circumcision. If we say that it was in force till the coming of Christ, what reply shall we make to the case of Timothy? We must observe, that Paul’s... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:3

Verse 3 3.For I testify again. What he now advances is proved by the contradiction involved in the opposite statement. He who is a debtor to do the whole law (82) will never escape death, but will always continue to be held as guilty; for no man will ever be found who satisfies the law. (83) Such being the obligation, the man must unavoidably be condemned, and Christ can render him no service. We see then the contradictory nature of the two propositions, that we are partakers of the grace of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:2

Behold, I Paul say unto you ( ἴδε , ἐγὼ παῦλος λώγω ὑμῖν ); lo , I Paul say unto you. The adverbial exclamation ἴδε , found in St. Paul's writings only here (in Romans 2:17 it should be εἰ δὲ ), seems to be more abrupt than ἰδού , pointing to the immense importance and yet possibly unexpected character of what follows. The Galatians might be surprised to hear it; but that which they seemed disposed to take in hand was fraught with utter ruin. "I, Paul:" he thus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:2

A solemn and emphatic warning. The apostle assumes a severer and a more authoritative tone—"I Paul"—and shows that there is something worse than folly in turning aside to the Law, for it is to take an absolutely destructive course. It is absolutely impossible to reconcile circumcision with Christ. "If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." I THIS DOES NOT WARRANT THE CONDEMNATION OF CIRCUMCISION IN ITSELF . For it was a Divine appointment, not only a... read more

Group of Brands