When the Measure Becomes the Metric (Galatians 5:2-12)

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Summary

In our scripture today, Paul exhorts the Galatians to reject the idea that circumcision is required to follow Christ. Embracing circumcision would be, at it’s deepest level, rejecting faith and embracing the law as the means to following God. How is it that keeping and holding people to one law somehow obligates them to all the laws? Listen as Dave unpacks the answer to this question.

Text

Galatians 5:2-12
 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified1 by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,2 still preach3 circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (ESV)