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Selected Verse: Galatians 5:3 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ga 5:3 |
King James |
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
For--Greek, "Yea, more"; "Moreover."
I testify . . . to every man--as well as "unto you" (Gal 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 (Jam 2:10); yet none can be justified by the law, unless he keep it wholly (Gal 3:10). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For 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 (πάλιν 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 is of Christians. A man, therefore, who became circumcised became a professor of the Jewish religion, and bound himself to obey all its special laws. This must be understood, of course, with reference to the point under discussion; and means, if he did it with a view to justification, or as a thing that was necessary and binding. It would not apply to such a case as that of Timothy, where it was a matter of mere expediency or prudence; see the note at Gal 5:2. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Again (πάλιν)
Probably with reference to what he had said at his last visit.
Every man
Emphasizing and particularising the general to you, you, in Gal 5:2.
A debtor (ὀφειλέτης)
In N.T. mostly of one under moral obligation. So in the sense of sinner, Mat 6:12; Luk 13:4. Comp. Rom 1:14; Rom 8:12. Similarly the verb ὀφείλειν to owe, as Luk 11:4; Luk 17:10; Rom 15:1, etc., though it is frequent in the literal sense.
To do the law (ποιῆσαι)
Rare in N.T. See Joh 7:19; Rom 2:13, Rom 2:25 (πράσσῃς). Τηρεῖν to observe the law, the tradition, the commandment, Mat 19:17; Mar 7:9; Joh 14:15; Act 15:5 Jam 2:10 : πληροῦν to fulfill the law, Rom 13:8; Gal 5:14; comp. ἀναπληροῦν Gal 6:2 : φυλάσσειν to keep or guard the law, Act 7:53; Act 21:24; Gal 6:13 : also with commandments, word of God or of Christ, ordinances of the law, Mat 19:20; Mar 10:20; Luk 11:28; Joh 12:47; Rom 2:26. Τελεῖν to carry out the law, Rom 2:27; Jam 2:8. Ποιῆσαι is to perform what the law commands: τηρεῖν to observe, keep an eye on with the result of performing: φυλάσσειν to guard against violation: τελεῖν to bring to fulfillment in action.
The whole law (ὅλον)
Comp. Jam 2:10. Submission to circumcision commits one to the whole law. It makes him a party to the covenant of the law, and the law requires of every one thus committed a perfect fulfillment, Gal 3:10. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| I testify to every man - Every gentile. That is circumcised - He thereby makes himself a debtor - Obliges. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| He is a debtor to do the whole law - Lays himself, by receiving circumcision, under the obligation to fulfill all its precepts, ordinances, etc. |
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.