Galatians 5:1

Freedom In Christ

 

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul addresses a critical issue that had arisen in the early church: the false teaching that adherence to the Law of Moses, including circumcision, was necessary for salvation. This teaching was causing confusion and division among the believers, particularly the Gentile converts, who were being pressured to conform to Jewish customs. Paul begins his letter by laying a strong theological foundation, emphasizing that justification—being made right with God—comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ. He stresses that righteousness is a gift of grace, accomplished through the work of the Cross, and not something that can be earned through human effort or obedience to the law.  

In Galatians 5:1, Paul makes a powerful declaration: “For freedom Christ has set us free.” Here, he reminds the Galatians of the profound truth that Christ’s sacrifice has liberated them from the bondage of sin and the oppressive demands of the law. The freedom Paul speaks of is not merely a release from external rules but a transformative liberation that enables believers to live in a new relationship with God, guided by the Spirit rather than by legalistic requirements.  

Paul then issues a command: “Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” The Greek word used for “stand firm” is steketo, which conveys the idea of perseverance, persistence, and unwavering commitment. Paul is urging the Galatians to remain steadfast in the freedom they have received through Christ and to resist the pressure to return to a system of works-based righteousness. He warns them against falling into the trap of the “circumcision party”—those false teachers who insisted that adherence to the Law of Moses, including circumcision, was essential for salvation.  

Paul’s message is clear: the Galatians must not allow themselves to be burdened again by the “yoke of slavery,” which in this context refers to the legalistic demands of the law. He wants them to understand that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Christ alone, and that adding human effort or legal requirements to the gospel undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the Cross.  

This passage has profound implications for the church today. Just as the Galatians were tempted to turn back to legalism, modern believers can also fall prey to teachings that suggest salvation requires adherence to certain rules, rituals, or traditions. Paul’s words remind us that the gospel is about grace, not works, and that our standing before God is secured solely through faith in Christ.  

Moreover, Paul’s exhortation to “stand firm” challenges us to persevere in the freedom we have received. This freedom is not a license to live however we please but a call to live in obedience to the Spirit, allowing God to transform us into the image of Christ. It also means resisting the temptation to return to our old ways of life—whether that involves sin, self-reliance, or reliance on external religious practices.  

In practical terms, this means that believers must actively guard against anything that seeks to enslave them again, whether it be legalism, worldly desires, or the pull of past habits. We are called to live in the fullness of the freedom Christ has won for us, trusting in His grace and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and shape us into instruments for His kingdom.  

In conclusion, Galatians 5:1 serves as both a declaration and a warning. It declares the freedom we have in Christ—a freedom that liberates us from the power of sin and the burden of the law. At the same time, it warns us to remain vigilant, standing firm in this freedom and resisting anything that would seek to enslave us again. As believers, we are called to live in the truth of the gospel, embracing the grace of God and allowing it to transform every aspect of our lives.