Galatians 5 · Verse 6

Galatians 5:6

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 5:6, King James Version

Galatians 5:6 in other translations

BSBFor in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
WEBFor in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.
ASVFor in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
YLTfor in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith through love working.
DARBYFor in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
BBEBecause in Christ Jesus, having circumcision or not having circumcision are equally of no profit; but only faith working through love.
WebsterFor in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

What does Galatians 5:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. For--confirming the truth that it is "by faith" (Ga 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" (Ga 6:15), as its definition. Thus in Ga 5:5, 6, we have the three, "faith," "hope," and "love." The Greek expresses, "Which effectually worketh"; which exhibits its energy by love (so 1Th 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" (Ga 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" (Ga 5:13). Let them, then, seek that "love" which is inseparable from true faith (Jas 2:8, 12-22). Love is utterly opposed to the enmities which prevailed among the Galatians (Ga 5:15, 20). The Spirit (Ga 5:5) is a Spirit of "faith" and "love" (compare Ro 14:17; 1Co 7:19).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. For in Jesus Christ. In the religion which Christ came to establish.

Neither circumcision, etc. It makes no difference whether a man is circumcised or not. He is not saved because he is circumcised, nor is he condemned because he is not. The design of Christianity is to abolish these rites and ceremonies, and to introduce a way of salvation that shall be applicable to all mankind alike. Gal 3:28; 1Cor 7:19. Comp. Rom 2:29.

But faith which worketh by love. Faith that evinces its existence by love to God, and benevolence to men. It is not a mere intellectual belief; but it is that which reaches the heart, and controls the affections. It is not a dead faith; but it is that which is operative, and which is seen in Christian kindness and affection. It is not mere belief of the truth, or mere orthodoxy; but it is that which produces true attachment to others. A mere intellectual assent to the truth may leave the heart cold and unaffected; mere orthodoxy, however bold, and self-confident, and "sound," may not be inconsistent with contentions, and strifes, and logomachies, and divisions. The true faith is that which is seen in benevolence, in love to God, in love to all who bear the Christian name; in a readiness to do good to all mankind. This shows that the heart is affected by the faith that is held; and this is the nature and design of all true religion. Tindal renders this, "faith, which by love is mighty in operation."

(f) "which worketh" 1Thes 1:3, Jas 2:18-22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 5:1-6

And to walk in the Spirit, and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh: the works of both are described. (16-26) Verses 1-6 Christ will not be the Saviour of any who will not own and rely upon him as their only Saviour. Let us take heed to the warnings and persuasions of the apostle to stedfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the gospel. All true Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life…

Read the full comment on Galatians 5:1-6 →

Galatians 5:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνenInG1722
γὰρgarforG1063
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424
οὔτεouteneitherG3777
περιτομήperitomēcircumcisionG4061
τιtianyG5100
ἰσχύειischueihas powerG2480
οὔτεoutenorG3777
ἀκροβυστίαakrobustiauncircumcisionG203
ἀλλὰallabut onlyG235
πίστιςpistisfaithG4102
δι᾽di᾽throughG1223
ἀγάπηςagapēsloveG26
ἐνεργουμένη.energoumenēworking.G1754

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 5:6

  • Galatians 6:15

    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:19

    Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

  • James 2:14-26

    What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. …

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

  • 1 John 3:14-20

    We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? …

  • Matthew 25:31-40

    When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: …

  • Galatians 3:28

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Peter 1:8

    Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • Colossians 3:11

    Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

  • 1 John 4:18-21

    There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

  • Hebrews 11:8

    By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in.
2,3; 3:28; 6:15; Ro 2:25-29; 3:29-31; 1Co 7:19; Col 3:11
faith.
Mt 25:31-40; 2Co 5:14; 1Th 1:3; Heb 11:8,17-19; Jas 2:14-26
1Pe 1:8; 1Jo 3:14-20; 4:18-21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Galatians 5:5

    For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

  • Galatians 5:6

    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  • Galatians 5:7

    Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Read all of Galatians 5

Galatians 5:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque en Cristo Jesús ni la circuncisión vale algo, ni la incircuncisión; sino la fe que obra por la caridad.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car, dans le christ Jésus, ni circoncision, ni incirconcision, n’ont de valeur, mais la foi opérante par l’amour.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn in Christo Jesu vermag weder Beschneidung noch Vorhaut etwas, sondern der Glaube, der durch die Liebe wirkt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nam in Christo Jesu neque circumcisio aliquid valet, neque præputium: sed fides, quæ per caritatem operatur.