Galatians 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In Christ, outward marks count for nothing; what matters is faith that expresses itself in love.
What Does Galatians 5:6 Mean?
Paul lifts the question above the old dividing line. In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision — the badge a person wears in the flesh decides nothing about their standing before God. The old categories have lost their power to qualify or disqualify.
What counts is faith which worketh by love. Living faith is never idle; it works, and the channel through which it works is love. Here the whole letter finds its balance: Paul has torn down law-keeping as the ground of acceptance, yet he does not leave the believer passive. True faith is active — and it shows itself not in ritual but in love poured out toward God and neighbor.
Galatians 5:6 in the Original Language
energeo (ἐνεργέω), 'worketh' -- to be at work, to be effective and active.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 5:6
What does Galatians 5:6 mean?
In Christ, outward marks count for nothing; what matters is faith that expresses itself in love.