Devine Scripture

Galatians 5:1

What does Galatians 5:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Galatians 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Galatians 5:1 means

Paul declares that Christ set believers free for the very purpose of living in freedom, not returning to bondage. The “yoke of bondage” is the burden of trying to be right with God through the Mosaic Law, especially as pushed by the Judaizers. Freedom here is not license, but deliverance from the law as a means of justification and from sin’s enslaving power. “Stand fast” calls for firm, ongoing resistance to any teaching or practice that reintroduces slavery. Christ’s work is complete and sufficient; to add requirements for acceptance with God is to deny the reason He liberated us. Christian stability begins with holding this gospel line in heart, doctrine, and practice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Christ has truly made us free: then keep your free condition and let no man put a yoke on you again.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free--stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Stand fast and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Christ has set us free in freedom; stand fast therefore, and be not held again in a yoke of bondage.

Context

This verse opens the practical crescendo after the allegory of Hagar and Sarah in chapter 4, where Paul contrasted slavery and freedom. He now applies that contrast directly: the Galatians must remain in the liberty secured by Christ. Verse 1 frames the whole chapter—freedom is the theme, and the danger is returning to legal bondage. Immediately, verses 2–6 specify how that bondage appears in Galatia: taking circumcision as necessary. The call to stand firm prepares the reader for Paul’s sharp warnings about the consequences of trading grace for law.

v.1This passage

v.2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philippians 1:27

    Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;

  • Revelation 2:25

    Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:22

    For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant.

  • Galatians 4:31

    Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman.

  • Hebrews 3:14

    for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:

  • Proverbs 23:23

    Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

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