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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 5:3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/5-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/48_Gal_05_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 5:3 - Freedom in Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/5-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/5-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/5-2.htm" title="Galatians 5:2">◄</a> Galatians 5:3 <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm" title="Galatians 5:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/5.htm">New International Version</a> Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. <a href="/nlt/galatians/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. <a href="/esv/galatians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. <a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. <a href="/blb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now again I testify to every man receiving circumcision that he is a debtor to keep the whole Law. <a href="/kjv/galatians/5.htm">King James Bible</a> For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law. <a href="/nasb/galatians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. <a href="/lsb/galatians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. <a href="/amp/galatians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], that he is under obligation and required to keep the whole Law. <a href="/csb/galatians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. <a href="/asv/galatians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/cev/galatians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> If you do, you must obey the whole Law. <a href="/erv/galatians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/gwt/galatians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses' Teachings demand. <a href="/gnt/galatians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law. <a href="/isv/galatians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised is obligated to obey the entire Law. <a href="/msb/galatians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. <a href="/net/galatians/5.htm">NET Bible</a> And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. <a href="/nheb/galatians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/wbt/galatians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/wey/galatians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I once more protest to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation to obey the whole Law of Moses. <a href="/web/galatians/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law; <a href="/blb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now again I testify to every man receiving circumcision that he is a debtor to keep the whole Law. <a href="/ylt/galatians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law; <a href="/slt/galatians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And again to any man circumcised, I testify, that he is debtor to do the whole law.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I testify again to every man circumcising himself, that he is a debtor to the whole law. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For I again testify, about every man circumcising himself, that he is obligated to act according to the entire law. <a href="/nabre/galatians/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I testify again to every man who is circumcised, that he is under obligation to fulfill the whole law. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But I testify again to every person who is circumcised, that he is obligated to observe all of The Written Law.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I testify indeed again to every man that is circumcised, that he is bound to do the whole law. <a href="/godbey/galatians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And again I witness to every man who is circumcised, that he is debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/haweis/galatians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And again, I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to keep the whole law. <a href="/mace/galatians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is under an obligation to perform the whole law. <a href="/wey/galatians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I once more protest to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation to obey the whole Law of Moses. <a href="/worrell/galatians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And I testify again to every man who is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. <a href="/worsley/galatians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to the whole law. <a href="/parallel/galatians/5-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=994" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> …2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3825.htm" title="3825: palin (Adv) -- Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.">Again</a> <a href="/greek/3143.htm" title="3143: martyromai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- (properly: To call (summon) to witness, and then absolutely) To testify, protest, asseverate; To conjure, solemnly charge. ">I testify</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panti (Adj-DMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">to every</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpō (N-DMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/greek/4059.htm" title="4059: peritemnomenō (V-PPM/P-DMS) -- To cut around, circumcise. From peri and the base of tomoteros; to cut around, i.e. to circumcise.">who gets himself circumcised</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he is</a> <a href="/greek/3781.htm" title="3781: opheiletēs (N-NMS) -- From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.">obligated</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsai (V-ANA) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">to obey</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3650.htm" title="3650: holon (Adj-AMS) -- All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; whole or all, i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.">whole</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law.</a> 4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10</a> Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25</a> Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. <a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a> Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a> All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Romans 4:4</a> Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. <a href="/philippians/3-2.htm">Philippians 3:2-3</a> Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! / For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11-14</a> In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. / And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. / When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, ... <a href="/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31-32</a> but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Hebrews 7:18-19</a> So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. <a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a> ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ <a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a> Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. <a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11</a> And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them. <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-32</a> Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a> Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.testify.<a href="/deuteronomy/8-19.htm">Deuteronomy 8:19</a> And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.<a href="/deuteronomy/31-21.htm">Deuteronomy 31:21</a> And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.<a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Nehemiah 9:29,30,34</a> And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear… a debtor.<a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a> 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.<a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a> Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.<a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16,18</a> Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/galatians/5-2.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/romans/1-14.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/galatians/4-21.htm">Law</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-15.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/romans/1-14.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Obligation</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Once</a> <a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">Protest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Receives</a> <a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Undergoes</a> <a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/6-8.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/galatians/6-12.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Debtor</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-20.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/6-13.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/galatians/5-7.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-17.htm">Obligated</a> <a href="/numbers/8-26.htm">Obligation</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Once</a> <a href="/titus/3-10.htm">Protest</a> <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Receives</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-8.htm">Undergoes</a> <a href="/galatians/5-9.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 5</div>1. <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">He wills them to stand in their liberty,</a> 3. <a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">and not to observe circumcision;</a> 13. <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">but rather love, which is the sum of the law.</a> 19. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">He lists the works of the flesh,</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">and the fruits of the Spirit,</a> 25. <a href="/galatians/5-25.htm">and exhorts to walk in the Spirit.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/galatians/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Again I testify The word "testify" in Greek is "martureō," which means to bear witness or to affirm that one has seen, heard, or experienced something. Paul is emphasizing the seriousness of his message by using legal language, akin to giving a solemn testimony in a court of law. This repetition ("Again") underscores the importance of the message he is conveying to the Galatians, reminding them of the gravity of returning to the law after having received the grace of Christ.to every man This phrase indicates the universality of Paul's message. It is not limited to a specific group but applies to all individuals considering circumcision as a means of justification. The use of "every man" highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel, which transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, a central theme in Paul's letters.who gets circumcised Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, as described in <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Genesis 17</a>. For the Jewish people, it was a physical mark of their identity and commitment to the Mosaic Law. However, in the context of Galatians, Paul is addressing Gentile believers who are being persuaded to adopt Jewish customs to be justified. The act of circumcision here symbolizes a return to the old covenant, which Paul argues is unnecessary for salvation in Christ.that he is obligated The Greek word for "obligated" is "opheilētēs," meaning a debtor or one who is bound to fulfill a duty. Paul is warning that choosing circumcision as a means of justification places one under the obligation to keep the entire Mosaic Law. This is a heavy burden, as the law demands perfect adherence, which is impossible for fallen humanity.to obey the whole law The "whole law" refers to the entirety of the Mosaic Law, encompassing moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects. Paul is making it clear that one cannot selectively adhere to parts of the law; it is an all-or-nothing commitment. Historically, the law served as a tutor leading to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>), but now that faith has come, believers are no longer under its supervision. Paul’s argument is that justification comes through faith in Christ alone, not through the works of the law.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) For I testify again.--Translate rather, Nay, I protest again, introducing a further argument. He who allows himself to be circumcised thereby commits himself wholly to the Law, just as, it might be said, he who is baptised commits himself wholly to Christ. The act of circumcision placed a man under the legal system, just as the act of baptism placed him under the Christian system. From that time forward he could not choose one part and refuse another, but was bound alike by all.He is a debtor.--He is under an obligation.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - For I testify again (μαρτύρομαι δὲ πάλιν); I protest again. In using the word μαρτύρομαι, pro teste loquor, "I speak in the presence of a witness," the apostle intimates that he is making his affirmation with a definite sense of the Lord being his Witness (cf. <a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Ephesians 4:17</a>, "This I say and testify in the Lord"). The original construction and force of the verb are shown in Judith 7:28, Μαρτύρομαι ὑμῖν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν. The apostle is wont to use it with a distinct sense of its emphatic import (see <a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Acts 20:26</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:11</a>). The word "again" points, not to the substance of the subsequent affirmation, as if it were a repetition of that mode in the preceding verse, which in fact it does not appear to be, but to the solemnity with which he makes this fresh affirmation. For the phrase, "I Paul say unto you," was one form of solemn affirmation which in effect gaged his personality as Christ's apostle and as acting in his name; and this "I protest" is another of equally solemn import. To every man that is circumcised (παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ περιτεμνομένῳ); to every man that is having himself circumcised. St. Paul's statements elsewhere, and his own proceeding in circumcising Timothy, as well as the present context, make it certain that, however absolute and universal his affirmation at first sight seems to be, it is nevertheless meant to be taken as made with reference to certain understood conditions. Thus: "I protest to any one of you Gentiles, who, being already baptized into Christ, has himself circumcised with the view of winning righteousness and favour with God, by obeying this one prescription of the Law - that," etc. The conjunction δὲ is most probably the δὲ of transition (metabatic), introducing a fresh particular merely; and in this instance, as often, it needs not to be represented in translation at all. Certainly s for" is not its meaning. Possibly, as De Wette supposes, it points back, as an adversative, to the words," Christ shall profit you nothing," as if it were "but on the contrary." That he is a debtor to do the whole Law (o%ti o)feile/th ἐστὶν ὅλον τὸν νόμον ποιῆσαι); that he is under obligation (Greek, is a debtor) to do the whole Law. By having himself circumcised, he adopts the token of the Lord's covenant (<a href="/genesis/17-11.htm">Genesis 17:11, 13</a>) made with those who were his people after the flesh; he enrolls himself with them to share with them their obligations. And to them the Lord had given the Law of Mount Sinai to be their appointed pedagogue till the Christ should come. "By being circumcised" (he means) "you of your own accord put yourself back afresh under this pedagogue, and just his bidding you must do. And for what? All the ordinances and ceremonies he puts you upon observing will leave you as far off as ever from remission of sins and justification with God! And this self-surrender to the pedagogue God has not asked for at your hands; while what he does require, that you withhold, even faith in him whom he hath sent: nay, not merely withhold your belief, but by open act and deed testify your disbelief in him." Under all that the apostle is here writing there appears to lie the principle, which, however, he has not distinctly stored, but which we see to be true, that circumcision was the peculiar badge of "Israel after the flesh," appertaining to them alone and not to be meddled with by any who did not mean to become naturalized as fellow-citizens with them. (For the use of ὀφειλέτης ἰστίν, comp. <a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14</a>.) The noun more commonly points to a debt incurred, or guiltiness; but here it simply denotes obligation. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/5-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Again πάλιν (palin) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3825.htm">Strong's 3825: </a> Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand. I testify μαρτύρομαι (martyromai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3143.htm">Strong's 3143: </a> (properly: To call (summon) to witness, and then absolutely) To testify, protest, asseverate; To conjure, solemnly charge. to every παντὶ (panti) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. man ἀνθρώπῳ (anthrōpō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. who gets himself circumcised περιτεμνομένῳ (peritemnomenō) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4059.htm">Strong's 4059: </a> To cut around, circumcise. From peri and the base of tomoteros; to cut around, i.e. to circumcise. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. he is ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. obligated ὀφειλέτης (opheiletēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3781.htm">Strong's 3781: </a> From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor. to obey ποιῆσαι (poiēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole ὅλον (holon) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3650.htm">Strong's 3650: </a> All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb. Law. νόμον (nomon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/5-3.htm">Galatians 5:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 5:3 Yes I testify again to every man (Gal. 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