Galatians 5:3

Galatians 5:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
• New International Version (NIV)Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Context of Galatians 5:3

1It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]. 2Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation]. Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], that he is under obligation and required to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. 5For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].

Galatians 5:3 word by word

μαρτύρομαι δὲ πάλιν παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ περιτεμνομένῳ ὅτι ὀφειλέτης ἐστὶν ὅλον τὸν νόμον ποιῆσαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forδέde · thenG1161
• I testifyμαρτύρομαιmarturomai · to testifyG3143
• againπάλινpalin · againG3825
• to everyπᾶςpas · allG3956
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• that is circumcisedπεριτέμνωperitemnō · to circumciseG4059
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• he isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a debtorὀφειλέτηςopheiletēs · debtorG3781
• to doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• theνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• wholeὅλοςholos · allG3650

Cross-references for Galatians 5:3

• Deuteronomy 8:19And it shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will most certainly perish.
• Deuteronomy 31:21Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this [sacred] song will confront them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants. For I know their inclination which is developing even now, before I bring them into the land which I have sworn to give them.”
• Nehemiah 9:29And You admonished them and warned them to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and arrogantly and did not heed Your commandments, but sinned against Your ordinances, Which by keeping, a man will live. But they turned a stubborn shoulder, stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
• Luke 16:28for I have five brothers—in order that he may solemnly warn them and witness to them, so that they too will not come to this place of torment.’
• Acts 2:40And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!”
• Acts 20:21solemnly [and wholeheartedly] testifying to both Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance to God and [to have] faith in our Lord Jesus Christ [for salvation].
• Ephesians 4:17So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls],
• 1 Thessalonians 4:6and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you.
• 1 John 4:14We [who were with Him in person] have seen and testify [as eye-witnesses] that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
• Galatians 3:10For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed (condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.”
• Deuteronomy 27:26‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them [keeping them, taking them to heart as the rule of his life].’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
• Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears [an oath] by the sanctuary of the temple, that is nothing (non-binding); but whoever swears [an oath] by the gold of the temple is obligated [as a debtor to fulfill his vow and keep his promise].’
• James 2:10For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.

Commentaries on Galatians 5:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He is a debtor to do the whole law - Lays himself, by receiving circumcision, under the obligation to fulfill all its precepts, ordinances, etc.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For I testify again - Probably he had stated this when he had preached the gospel to them first, and he now solemnly bears witness to the same thing again. Bloomfield, however, supposes that the word “again” here ( ́ palin) means, on the other hand, or, “furthermore,” or, as we would say, “and again.” That he is a debtor to do the whole law - He binds himself to obey all the Law of Moses. Circumcision was the distinguishing badge of the Jews, as baptism…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3People who try to be righteous by obeying the law must obey every one of its rules without exception (see 2:15–16; compare James 2:10).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. For--Greek, "Yea, more"; "Moreover." I testify ... to every man--as well as "unto you" (Ga 5:2). that is circumcised--that submits to be circumcised. Such a one became a "proselyte of righteousness." the whole law--impossible for man to keep even in part, much less wholly (Jas 2:10); yet none can be justified by the law, unless he keep it wholly (Ga 3:10).Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 5:3

• Circumcision
• Obedience

In the dictionaries

• Affection
• Bite
• Contrary
• Cross
• Crucify
• Debtor
• Flesh
• Gentleness
• Goodness
• Meekness

Commentaries on Galatians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings