John Calvin Commentary Galatians 5:1

"For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage." — Galatians 5:1 (ASV)

Stand fast therefore. After having told them that they are the children of the free woman, he now reminds them that they should not lightly despise a freedom so precious. And certainly it is an invaluable blessing, in defense of which it is our duty to fight, even to death, since not only the highest temporal considerations, but our eternal interests also, urge us to this contest.

Many people, having never viewed the subject in this light, charge us with excessive zeal when they see us so warmly and earnestly contending for freedom of faith regarding outward matters, in opposition to the tyranny of the Pope. Under this cloak, our adversaries raise a prejudice against us among ignorant people, as if the whole object of our pursuit were licentiousness, which is the relaxation of all discipline. But wise and discerning people are aware that this is one of the most important doctrines connected with salvation. This is not a question of whether you eat this or that food, or whether you observe or neglect a particular day (which is the foolish idea held by many, and the slander spread by some), but what your positive duty is before God, what is necessary for salvation, and what cannot be omitted without sin. In short, the controversy relates to the liberty of conscience when placed before the tribunal of God.

The liberty of which Paul speaks is exemption from the ceremonies of the law, the observance of which was demanded by the false apostles as necessary. But let the reader, at the same time, remember that such liberty is only a part of that which Christ has secured for us: for what a small matter it would be if he had only freed us from ceremonies? This is only a stream, which must be traced to a higher source. It is because

Christ was made a curse, that he might redeem us
from the curse of the law, (Galatians 3:13)

because he has repealed the power of the law insofar as it held us liable to the judgment of God under the penalty of eternal death; because, in short, he has rescued us from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death. Thus, this single aspect encompasses the whole category; but we will speak about this subject more fully in the commentary on the Epistle to the Colossians.

This liberty was secured for us by Christ on the cross; the fruit and possession of it are given to us through the Gospel. Paul, then, rightly warns the Galatians, not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage—that is, not to allow a snare to be laid for their consciences.

For if men lay upon our shoulders an unjust burden, it can be endured; but if they attempt to bring our consciences into bondage, we must resist valiantly, even to death. If men are permitted to bind our consciences, we will be deprived of an invaluable blessing, and an insult will be, at the same time, offered to Christ, the Author of our freedom. But what is the force of the word again, in the exhortation, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage? For the Galatians had never lived under the law. It simply means that they should not be entangled, as if they had not been redeemed by the grace of Christ. Although the law was given to Jews, not to Gentiles, yet, apart from Christ, neither the one nor the other enjoys any freedom, but absolute bondage.