Bible Strands
Galatians 5:3
Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Galatian churches at a moment when members are pursuing circumcision as a religious requirement. He addresses them directly to warn of the spiritual and legal consequences of adopting this practice.
The words — The text emphasizes ὀφειλέτης (opheiletēs), literally "a debtor," and περιτεμνομένῳ (peritemnoménō), "being circumcised." These terms frame the act not as a ritual blessing but as a binding financial-style obligation.
The thread — This obligation motif runs alongside James 2:10, which states that stumbling at one point makes a person guilty of breaking the whole law. It also connects to Galatians 3:10, which declares that relying on works of the law places one under a curse.
Why it lands — The verse demands that a reader recognize the logical trap of mixing grace with legal observance. It requires an immediate decision to either accept the whole law or reject it entirely, leaving no middle ground for partial compliance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
Cross-references
- Romans 2:25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
- Galatians 3:10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
- James 2:10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
- Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
- Deuteronomy 8:19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.
- Deuteronomy 31:21 And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”
- Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
- Nehemiah 9:29 You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
- Matthew 23:18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’
- Matthew 23:16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’