For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision: but faith that worketh by charity.

“Observe the great boldness with which he now encounters them; Let him that hath put on Christ, he says, no longer be careful about such matters. Having before said that Circumcision was hurtful, how is it that he now considers it indifferent? It is indifferent as to those who had it previously to the Faith, but not as to those who are circumcised after the Faith was given. Observe too the view in which he places it, by setting it by the side of Uncircumcision; it is Faith that makes the difference. As in the selection of wrestlers, whether they be hook-nosed or flat-nosed, black or white, is of no importance in their trial, it is only necessary to seek that they be strong and skilful; so all these bodily accidents do not injure one who is to be enrolled under the New Covenant, nor does their presence assist him. What is the meaning of "working through love?" Here he gives them a hard blow, by showing that this error had crept in because the love of Christ had not been rooted within them. For to believe is not all that is required, but also to abide in love. It is as if he had said, Had ye loved Christ as ye ought, ye would not have deserted to bondage, nor abandoned Him who redeemed you, nor treated with contumely Him who gave you freedom. Here he also hints at those who have plotted against them, implying that they would not have dared to do so, had they felt affection towards them. He wishes too by these words to correct their course of life.”

“The Apostle has explained according to the teaching, namely, that the yoke of the servitude of the law should not be undergone; here, however, he returns to the first point, showing that they ought to stand firm. And first he sets forth an example of standing; second he removes an impediment to standing, at the words you were running well, etc.; third he assigns the cause of standing, at the words but we, in the Spirit, by faith, etc. Concerning the first he does two things. First he sets forth the example of standing; second he assigns its cause, at the words for in Christ Jesus, etc. He says therefore: those who wish to be justified in the law, Christ profits them nothing, because they fall away from grace. But we — namely, the apostles — stand by hope, because, that is, we await the hope of justice, that is, justice and hope, namely, eternal blessedness. 1 Peter 1:3: he has regenerated us unto a living hope, etc. Or, the hope of justice, that is, Christ, through whom there is for us the hope of justice, because through him we are justified. Philippians 3:20: we await a savior, etc. 1 Corinthians 1:30: who is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption, etc. Or the hope of justice, that is, the hope which is concerning justice, namely, that they be justified not by the law, but by faith. Romans 3:28: we reckon that man is justified by faith without the works of the law. Or the hope of justice, that is, the thing hoped for, toward which justice tends, namely, eternal life. 2 Timothy, last chapter: for the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, etc. And this from faith, because the justice of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ, as is said in Romans 3:22. And this faith indeed is not from man, but from the Holy Spirit who inspires it. Romans 8:15: you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba, Father, etc. Therefore, just as faith is from the Spirit, so from faith is hope, from hope justice, through which we arrive at eternal life. But this hope does not come from circumcision, nor from being a Gentile, because these things contribute nothing to it. And therefore he says for in Christ Jesus, that is, in those who are in the faith of Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, etc., that is, they are matters of indifference. But faith — not unformed faith, but that which works through love — James 2:26: faith without works is dead, etc. For faith is a knowledge of the word of God, Ephesians 3:17: that Christ may dwell through faith, etc. And this word is neither perfectly possessed nor perfectly known unless there is also possessed the love which it hopes for. Here there are two doubts concerning the Gloss. The first is, that it says that uncircumcision and circumcision are matters of indifference, whereas above it said if you are circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. But it must be said that from the genus of the work they are matters of indifference, namely for those who do not place their hope in them; but from the intention of the one acting they are not matters of indifference. For to those who place their hope in them, they are deadly. The second doubt concerns this, that it says that those who do not believe are worse than the demons, since the demons believe and tremble. I respond. It must be said that they are indeed worse as regards the species of the deed, but not as regards the affection. For it displeases the demons that they believe; nor is there so great a wickedness of will in the man who does not believe as there is in the demon who hates what he believes. Consequently, when he says you were running well, etc., he deals with the impediment to standing. And first he sets down the impediment; second he teaches its removal, at the words let no one persuade you, etc. The impediment to their standing was great and harmful; for a thing is harmful in proportion as it deprives one of a greater good. When, therefore, someone is deprived of many spiritual goods, it is a sign that he has had a great impediment. And therefore, that the Apostle might show that they had a great impediment, he reminds them of the spiritual goods which they had lost, when he says you were running well, etc., namely, through the works of faith formed by charity, which spurs one on to run. Psalm 118:32: I have run the way of your commandments, when you enlarged my heart. And this indeed was formerly in you, but while you were thus running, you were hindered, and therefore he adds: who has bewitched you? Concerning which it was spoken above in chapter 3:1; and therefore I pass over it for the present. Who, then, has bewitched you, that is, hindered you from obeying the truth, namely, the evangelical truth? And this he says fittingly; for to obey is a matter of the will applying itself to the consent of one who commands. And therefore faith is a knowledge of the will and of the intellect. It is necessary, therefore, that the will obey faith; and this consists in willing to believe that the grace of the faith of Christ suffices for salvation without the observances of the law. He excludes the impediment, however, when he says let no one, etc., and this from a threefold source. First on the part of themselves; second on the part of God, at the words I am confident, etc.; third on the part of the Apostle, at the words but I, brethren, etc. On the part of themselves, when he says let no one, etc. Here he first shows what is required on their part, that they might avoid this harm, namely, that they no longer consent to any false apostle. 1 Thessalonians 5:5: let us not be of the night, nor of darkness, etc. Ephesians 5:11: have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, etc., and 2 Timothy 2:17: and their speech spreads like a cancer, etc. From this it is given to understand that they were not yet corrupted, but were being solicited concerning this. Second, he assigns the reason for this when he says for this persuasion, etc. And this is twofold. The first is, that when a man gives himself to someone, he ought to do nothing except what he has judged useful to himself. But you have been handed over to Christ; therefore you ought not to hear or consent except to those things which are from him; therefore this persuasion, by which they wish to send you under the yoke of the law, since it is not from him, namely, from God who called you unto life, but from the devil, insofar, namely, as he is deficient, and therefore you should not consent to them. Or not from him, that is, against him. The second reason is, because it could be said that it is not a great matter if a few consent, since from this there is no danger; and therefore he says that they ought not to consent to them, nor should their snares be despised, but they ought to resist at the beginnings, because a little leaven, etc., that is, those few who are persuading you. Or: this persuasion, small at the beginning, corrupts the whole lump, that is, the congregation of the faithful. Leviticus 2:11: neither shall any leaven or honey be burned in the sacrifice of the Lord. Consequently, when he says I am confident in you, etc., he removes the impediment on the part of God, who supplies help toward this. And he sets down a twofold help: one with respect to those who seduce; the other with respect to those who trouble, at the words but he who troubles you, etc. He says therefore I am confident, etc., as if to say: I have said that you should not consent to a false apostle, and I am confident in you. 2 Corinthians 7:16: I rejoice that in all things I have confidence in you. Hebrews 6:9: but we are confident of you, beloved, better things, and things nearer to salvation. I am confident, I say, in this, namely, that you will taste nothing else than what I have taught you. Above, 1:8: although we, or an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached, let him be anathema. Philippians 2:2: fulfill my joy, that you may taste the same thing, etc. And this from divine help. And therefore he says in the Lord, namely, God working. 2 Corinthians 3:4: such confidence we have through Christ toward God, etc. Because the Lord will give you to taste according to the sobriety of Catholic truth. Psalm 91: it is good to trust in the Lord, etc. But as to those who trouble, he says but he who troubles, etc., that is, who removes you from the due order, so that, namely, you are turned from spiritual things to bodily things, when the contrary ought to be the case. 1 Corinthians 15:46: not first that which is spiritual, but that which is animal, then that which, etc. And since such an order is perverse, as is said above, 3:3: are you so foolish, that whereas you began in the Spirit, etc., therefore he shall bear the judgment, that is, he shall undergo condemnation. For just as one who leads another to good is rewarded, Daniel 12:3: they who instruct many unto justice, shall shine as stars for all eternity, etc., so one who leads another to evil is condemned. Joshua 7:25: because you have troubled us, may the Lord trouble you this day. Deuteronomy 27:18: cursed be he who makes the blind to wander out of the way. And this, whosoever he be, that is, of whatever authority he be, he shall not be spared. But Porphyry and Julian reproach Paul in this matter for presumption, saying that he says this tearing at Peter — since above he wrote that he had resisted him to his face — so that the meaning would be: whosoever he be, that is, even if it were Peter, he would be punished. But, as Augustine says, it is not to be believed that Paul would speak with a curse concerning the prince of the Church, since it is written in Exodus 22:28: you shall not speak ill of the prince of your people. Nor even that Peter had so offended that he was worthy of condemnation. The Apostle, therefore, speaks of a certain other man who, coming from Judea, said that he had been a disciple of the great apostles, and under that authority, together with other false preachers, was corrupting the Galatians. Above, 2:4: because of false brethren unawares brought in, etc. Consequently, when he says but I, brethren, etc., he removes the impediment on his own part. And first he sets down his own excuse; second the rebuke of those who were defaming him, at the words would that they were cut off, etc. He excludes, however, the falsehood that was imputed to him. And first something pertaining to himself alone; second something pertaining to all, at the words therefore the scandal of the cross is made void, etc. It must be known concerning the first that, the false apostles excusing the Galatians for the fact that they did not keep the legal observances — because they had been so taught by the Apostle — they said that the Apostle had deceived them, and that he had persuaded them to this unto their own servitude; and they confirmed this, saying that Paul had preached in Judea, and had taught that the legal observances ought to be kept. And therefore the Apostle excuses himself concerning this, saying but I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, as the false apostles impute to me, why do I still suffer persecution? Namely, from the Jews. 1 Corinthians 4:12: we suffer persecution, etc. For the Jews persecuted Paul especially on this account, that he preached that the legal observances ought not to be kept. Acts 21:21, James says to Paul: they have heard of you that you teach a departure from Moses, those of the Jews who are among the Gentiles, saying that they ought not to circumcise their sons, etc. It is plain, therefore, that what they impute to me is not true, otherwise I would not still be suffering persecutions. That which they impute to me is also false through that which is commonly held among others, because if I preach circumcision, the scandal of the cross is made void. For not only I, but also all the apostles, preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a scandal, etc., as is said in 1 Corinthians 1:23. And they are scandalized most of all at this, that we preach that through the cross of Christ the legal observances are made void. If, therefore, I preach circumcision, the scandal is made void, that is, there will no longer be a scandal among the Jews concerning the cross. For they would patiently endure — indeed, they would gladly wish — that we should preach that the cross and the legal observances ought to be kept together. Or, according to Augustine, the scandal of the cross is made void, that is, the cross, which is the scandal, is made void, as if he were to say: the cross has lost its effect and its power. Above, 2:21: for if justice were by the law, then Christ died in vain. The Apostle, moreover, says specifically the scandal is made void, etc., to give one to understand that it was on this account that the Jews killed Christ, because he did not keep the legal observances, and taught that they were not to be kept. John 9:16: this man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath. Consequently he rebukes the false apostles who had defamed him, saying would that they were cut off, etc., as if to say: they themselves trouble you in this, that they wish you to be circumcised; but would that they were not only circumcised, but wholly castrated. But against this, Romans 12:14: bless, and do not curse, etc. To this there is a twofold response. The first is, that the Apostle did not curse them, but rather blessed them, because he wished for them that they be spiritually castrated, that they might keep spiritual chastity, by cutting away the ceremonial observances, according to that saying of Matthew 19:12: there are certain eunuchs, who have castrated themselves for the kingdom of heaven. Second, that he wishes for them the sterility of offspring which eunuchs have, namely, that they not beget. Whence he says would that they were even cut off, etc., that is, that they lose the power of begetting in you, and in others. And this deservedly, because they beget sons unto error, and reduce them into the servitude of the law. Hosea 9:14: give them a womb without children, and dry breasts.”

“For in Christ Jesus,.... The Arabic version reads, "in the religion of Christ"; in the religion of Moses, or of the Jews under the former dispensation, the things after mentioned were of some moment and consideration; but are of no account in the Christian religion, and under the Gospel dispensation: circumcision and uncircumcision make no difference in the church of Christ, or are any bar to communion with it; nor do they make any alteration in the love and favour of Christ, who is all in all to his people, whether Jews or Gentiles; nor have they any influence at all on salvation, Christ being a common Saviour to the circumcised and uncircumcised; nor are they any evidence for or against a person's being in Christ, or having an interest in him: neither circumcision availeth anything; not now as a command and ordinance of God, being abolished by Christ; nor as a type, having its accomplishment in him, and his people; nor as a privilege, giving any preference in any respect to the Jew above the Gentile; nor is it of any weight or consequence, or has any concern in the business of salvation: nor uncircumcision; it is no hinderance to the enjoyment of the Gospel, to entrance into a Gospel church state, or to admission to the ordinances of it; nor to the participation of the blessings of grace, as justification, pardon, adoption, and eternal life: but faith which works by love; faith has a concern in justification and salvation, not by way of causal influence, but as it is that grace which receives the righteousness of Christ, through which we are saved, and kept by the power of God unto salvation; yet not any sort of faith, but that which is operative, is attended with good works; and which works itself by love to God, to Christ, to his people, ways, worship, truths, and ordinances. The Syriac version renders it, "which is perfected by love"; that is, is showed to be right, true, and genuine thereby; see Jam 2:22.”

“For in Jesus Christ - By the dispensation of the Gospel all legal observances, as essential to salvation, are done away; and uncircumcision, or the Gentile state, contributes as much to salvation as circumcision or the Jewish state; they are both equally ineffectual; and nothing now avails in the sight of God but that faith δι' αγαπης ενεργουμενη, which is made active, or energetic, by love. God acknowledges no faith, as of the operation of his Spirit, that is not active or obedient; but the principle of all obedience to God, and beneficence to man, is love; therefore faith cannot work unless it be associated with love. Love to God produces obedience to his will: love to man worketh no ill; but, on the contrary, every act of kindness. Faith which does not work by love is either circumcision or uncircumcision, or whatever its possessor may please to call it; it is, however, nothing that will stand him in stead when God comes to take away his soul. It availeth nothing. This humble, holy, operative, obedient Love, is the grand touchstone of all human creeds and confessions of faith. Faith without this has neither soul nor operation; in the language of the Apostle James, it is dead, and can perform no function of the spiritual life, no more than a dead man can perform the duties of animal or civil life.”

“For--confirming the truth that it is "by faith" (Gal 5:5). in Jesus Christ--Greek, "in Christ Jesus." In union with Christ (the ANOINTED Saviour), that is, Jesus of Nazareth. nor uncircumcision--This is levelled against those who, being not legalists, or Judaizers, think themselves Christians on this ground alone. faith which worketh by love--Greek, "working by love." This corresponds to "a new creature" (Gal 6:15), as its definition. Thus in Gal 5:5-6, we have the three, "faith," "hope," and "love." The Greek expresses, "Which effectually worketh"; which exhibits its energy by love (so Th1 2:13). Love is not joined with faith in justifying, but is the principle of the works which follow after justification by faith. Let not legalists, upholding circumcision, think that the essence of the law is set at naught by the doctrine of justification by faith only. Nay, "all the law is fulfilled in one word--love," which is the principle on which "faith worketh" (Gal 5:14). Let them, therefore, seek this "faith," which will enable them truly to fulfil the law. Again, let not those who pride themselves on uncircumcision think that, because the law does not justify, they are free to walk after "the flesh" (Gal 5:13). Let them, then, seek that "love" which is inseparable from true faith (Jam 2:8, Jam 2:12-22). Love is utterly opposed to the enmities which prevailed among the Galatians (Gal 5:15, Gal 5:20). The Spirit (Gal 5:5) is a Spirit of "faith" and "love" (compare Rom 14:17; Co1 7:19).”