Galatians 5:11-13
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
11 As for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision,[a] why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.(A) 12 Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves![b]
Freedom for Service.[c] 13 For you were called for freedom, brothers.(B) But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve[d] one another through love.
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- 5:11 Preaching circumcision: this could refer to Paul’s pre-Christian period (possibly as a missionary for Judaism); more probably it arose as a charge from opponents, based perhaps on the story in Acts 16:1–3 that Paul had circumcised Timothy “on account of the Jews.” Unlike the Gentile Titus in Gal 2:3, Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother. The stumbling block of the cross: cf. 1 Cor 1:23.
- 5:12 A sarcastic half-wish that their knife would go beyond mere circumcision; cf. Phil 3:2 and the note there.
- 5:13–26 In light of another reminder of the freedom of the gospel (Gal 5:13; cf. Gal 5:1), Paul elaborates on what believers are called to do and be: they fulfill the law by love of neighbor (Gal 5:14–15), walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16–26), as is illustrated by concrete fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
- 5:13 Serve…through love: cf. Gal 5:6.
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