Galatians 5:1
New International Version
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

New Living Translation
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

English Standard Version
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Berean Standard Bible
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Berean Literal Bible
In freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore and do not be entangled again in a yoke of slavery!

King James Bible
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

New King James Version
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

New American Standard Bible
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

NASB 1995
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

NASB 1977
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Legacy Standard Bible
It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Amplified Bible
It 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].

Christian Standard Bible
For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

American Standard Version
For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

Contemporary English Version
Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.

English Revised Version
With freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm [in this freedom], and don't become slaves again.

Good News Translation
Freedom is what we have--Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

International Standard Version
The Messiah has set us free so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. So keep on standing firm in it, and stop putting yourselves under the yoke of slavery again.

Majority Standard Bible
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

NET Bible
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

New Heart English Bible
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Webster's Bible Translation
Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Weymouth New Testament
Christ having made us gloriously free--stand fast and do not again be hampered with the yoke of slavery.

World English Bible
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the freedom, then, with which Christ made you free—stand, and do not be held fast again by a yoke of servitude.

Berean Literal Bible
In freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore and do not be entangled again in a yoke of slavery!

Young's Literal Translation
In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore in the liberty which Christ has freed us, stand ye, and be not again held in the yoke of servitude.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Stand fast, and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Stand firm, and do not be willing to be again held by the yoke of servitude.

New American Bible
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

New Revised Standard Version
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
STAND firm therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not harnessed again under the yoke of servitude.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Stand therefore in that liberty with which The Messiah has set us free, and do not be yoked again in a yoke of bondage.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Stand firm, therefore, in the freedom with which Christ has made us free, and be not held fast again in the yoke of bondage.

Godbey New Testament
Christ has set you free with freedom, Therefore stand, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage.

Haweis New Testament
STAND fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again held under a yoke of bondage.

Mace New Testament
Stand fast therefore, and be not hampered again with the yoke of bondage.

Weymouth New Testament
Christ having made us gloriously free--stand fast and do not again be hampered with the yoke of slavery.

Worrell New Testament
For freedom did Christ make us free; stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

Worsley New Testament
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Freedom in Christ
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. 2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.…

Cross References
John 8:32-36
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” / “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ...

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.

1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Acts 15:10-11
Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? / On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Colossians 2:20-23
If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: / “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? / These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. ...

Hebrews 2:14-15
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

1 Corinthians 7:22
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Leviticus 26:13
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk in uprightness.

Isaiah 42:7
to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.

Jeremiah 34:8-17
After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, ...

Psalm 119:45
And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.


Treasury of Scripture

Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Stand.

Proverbs 23:23
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

the liberty.

Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Galatians 3:25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

entangled.

Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Galatians 4:9
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Matthew 23:4
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jump to Previous
Bondage Burdened Christ Condition Entangled Fast Firm Free Freedom Gloriously Hampered Held Liberty Servitude Slavery Stand Standing Subject Wherewith Yoke Yourselves
Jump to Next
Bondage Burdened Christ Condition Entangled Fast Firm Free Freedom Gloriously Hampered Held Liberty Servitude Slavery Stand Standing Subject Wherewith Yoke Yourselves
Galatians 5
1. He wills them to stand in their liberty,
3. and not to observe circumcision;
13. but rather love, which is the sum of the law.
19. He lists the works of the flesh,
22. and the fruits of the Spirit,
25. and exhorts to walk in the Spirit.














It is for freedom
The Greek word for "freedom" here is "ἐλευθερία" (eleutheria), which signifies a state of liberty, free from bondage. In the context of Paul's letter to the Galatians, this freedom is not merely a political or social freedom but a profound spiritual liberation from the constraints of the Mosaic Law and the bondage of sin. Historically, the Galatians were being tempted to return to the legalistic practices of Judaism, which Paul argues would negate the freedom Christ has provided. This freedom is a gift of grace, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel that liberates believers from the law's demands and the penalty of sin.

that Christ has set us free
The phrase "has set us free" comes from the Greek "ἐλευθερόω" (eleutheroō), meaning to liberate or deliver. This action is attributed to Christ, underscoring His role as the Redeemer. The historical context of this liberation is rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, which fulfilled the law and provided a new covenant of grace. This freedom is not self-attained but is a divine act accomplished through Christ's atoning work, highlighting the centrality of Jesus in the believer's life and the futility of returning to the law for justification.

Stand firm, then
The Greek word for "stand firm" is "στήκω" (stēkō), which conveys the idea of being steadfast, immovable, and persevering. Paul exhorts the Galatians to maintain their position in the freedom Christ has given them, resisting any temptation to revert to legalism. This call to steadfastness is a common theme in Paul's letters, encouraging believers to hold fast to their faith amidst external pressures and false teachings. The historical context suggests that the Galatians were facing significant pressure from Judaizers, who insisted on adherence to the law for salvation. Paul's admonition is a reminder of the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to remain anchored in the truth of the Gospel.

and do not be encumbered once more
The term "encumbered" translates from the Greek "ἐνέχω" (enechō), meaning to be entangled or ensnared. Paul warns against returning to a state of bondage, which in this context refers to the legalistic observance of the law. The phrase "once more" indicates that the Galatians had previously experienced this bondage and had been liberated by Christ. The historical backdrop is the early church's struggle with Judaizers who sought to impose Jewish customs on Gentile converts. Paul's warning is a call to remember their past enslavement and to cherish the freedom they now possess in Christ.

by a yoke of slavery
The "yoke" is a metaphor for the burdensome obligations of the Mosaic Law, which the Judaizers were attempting to impose on the Galatian believers. In the Greek, "ζυγός" (zygos) refers to a wooden beam used to pair animals for plowing, symbolizing subjection and servitude. The "yoke of slavery" contrasts sharply with the freedom offered by Christ. Historically, the yoke was a common symbol of oppression and control, and Paul uses it to illustrate the restrictive and oppressive nature of legalism. This imagery would have resonated with the Galatians, who were familiar with the agricultural metaphor and the oppressive nature of Roman rule. Paul's message is clear: the freedom in Christ is incompatible with the bondage of the law, and believers are called to live in the liberty that Christ has secured for them.

V.

(1) Stand fast therefore.--The external evidence is very strong in favour of a different reading: With (or, perhaps, For) liberty did Christ make us free. Stand fast, then, and be not entangled, &c. There seems to be no sufficient reason why this should not be adopted.

In the liberty.--The best grammarians seem agreed to take this rather in the sense, for liberty; otherwise it would be tempting to explain it as an instance of the Hebraising construction which we find in John 3:29 : "Rejoice with joy" (Authorised version "rejoice greatly"). It would then mean: "with a system, or state, of freedom Christ freed us;" in other words: "placed us in a state of freedom, so that we are free."

The yoke of bondage--i.e., the Judaising restraints and restrictions.

Verse 1. - (See p. 209.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[It is] for
Τῇ (Tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

freedom
ἐλευθερίᾳ (eleutheria)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1657: Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom.

[that] Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

has set us free.
ἠλευθέρωσεν (ēleutherōsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1659: To free, set free, liberate. From eleutheros; to liberate, i.e. to exempt.

Stand firm,
στήκετε (stēkete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4739: To stand fast, stand firm, persevere. From the perfect tense of histemi; to be stationary, i.e. to persevere.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

be encumbered
ἐνέχεσθε (enechesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1758: From en and echo; to hold in or upon, i.e. Ensnare; by implication, to keep a grudge.

once more
πάλιν (palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

by a yoke
ζυγῷ (zygō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2218: From the root of zeugnumi; a coupling, i.e. servitude; also the beam of the balance.

of slavery.
δουλείας (douleias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1397: Slavery, bondage. From douleuo; slavery.


Links
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Galatians 5:1 NLT
Galatians 5:1 ESV
Galatians 5:1 NASB
Galatians 5:1 KJV

Galatians 5:1 BibleApps.com
Galatians 5:1 Biblia Paralela
Galatians 5:1 Chinese Bible
Galatians 5:1 French Bible
Galatians 5:1 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Galatians 5:1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty (Gal. Ga)
Galatians 4:31
Top of Page
Top of Page