Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Galatians 5:6

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love." — Galatians 5:6 (ASV)

Paul makes two final points as he wraps up the first half of this section. In doing so, he comes close to giving a full and beautiful definition of true Christianity.

(1) As hard as Paul has been on circumcision and as much as it would serve his purpose to downgrade it in preference to uncircumcision, he nevertheless acknowledges that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision in themselves counts for anything. This is further evidence that his concern is theological and not ceremonial (cf. a similar point made about eating meat offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8:8).

(2) True faith, having an ethical side, works itself out “through love.” This is what matters—this kind of faith! True, we are saved through faith rather than by works; but faith is no mere intellectual conviction, as if Christians can do as they wish as long as they believe the right doctrines. This is a horrible idea, as Paul writes elsewhere (Romans 6:1–2). To believe is to place one’s personal confidence in Christ, who loves us and gave himself for us. Therefore, Christians must respond in a genuine and self-denying love for others.

In vv.5–6 the three great terms “faith” (GK 4411), “hope” (GK 1828), and “love” (GK 27) appear together (cf. 1 Corinthians 13; Colossians 1:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; et al.).