Galatians 5:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →To seek to be made right by law-keeping is to cut oneself off from the grace that flows through Christ.
What Does Galatians 5:4 Mean?
Two stark phrases frame the danger. To pursue being justified by the law is to make Christ of no effect — to render his work empty as far as one's own life is concerned. The remedy is rejected even while one is busy with religion.
And ye are fallen from grace. Grace is a realm one stands within, a relationship of unearned favor. To climb back onto the ladder of merit is to step off that ground and let go of the very thing that holds. Paul writes not to condemn but to recall them — to bring them back before they trade the gift for a striving that cannot save.
Galatians 5:4 in the Original Language
charis (χάρις), 'grace' -- God's freely given favor, received, not earned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 5:4
What does Galatians 5:4 mean?
To seek to be made right by law-keeping is to cut oneself off from the grace that flows through Christ.