Galatians 5:3
What does Galatians 5:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:3 means
Paul underscores the indivisible nature of the law. If a person takes circumcision as a religious obligation for acceptance with God, he becomes a debtor to keep the whole law, not just one part. The law is a unified covenant; to place oneself under it for righteousness is to accept comprehensive responsibility for perfect obedience. This clarifies that legalism cannot be contained to a single ceremony. It inevitably expands into a life of debt and fear, since failure at any point condemns the person. Paul’s warning protects the Galatians from minimizing the issue. What seems like a small addition is actually a wholesale change in how one seeks to be right with God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Yes, I give witness again to every man who undergoes circumcision, that he will have to keep all the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I testify again to every man circumcising himself that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I witness again to every man [who is] circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law.
Context
Paul has asserted that circumcision nullifies Christ’s profit if taken as salvific (v.2). Now he explains why: the law is an all-or-nothing system. Verse 3 prepares for verse 4’s stark conclusion about being severed from Christ when one seeks justification by law. The momentum is from warning to consequence. After stating the negative pathway, Paul will pivot in verses 5–6 to the positive, grace-based posture of believers—waiting by the Spirit, through faith, leading to love.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:40
And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
- 1 John 4:14
And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
- Deuteronomy 8:19
And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
- Luke 16:28
for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
- Deuteronomy 27:26
Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Romans 2:25
For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the law: but if thou be a transgressor of the law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision.
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