A few weeks ago in my Bible study, I came across the scripture Galatians 5:6. Although I had read this scripture a few times before, this particular time it really stood out to me. From this, I decided to study the scripture further and thought I’d share what I’ve learnt from it.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. -Galatians 5:6 (NIV)
The second sentence in this verse is the part that caught my attention. So, I began looking up definitions of the terms I thought were key in this verse, to help me have a better understanding of it. Hopefully, they will be beneficial to you also as we break down this verse together. They are as follows:
1. Faith– Confidence/trust in a person or thing
2. Expressing – To show, manifest or reveal
3. Love– Affectionate concern for the well-being of others
Through studying this scripture, one of the things I came to realise I struggle with is that I can easily slip into focusing on faith alone when sharing the gospel with people and other acts of faith, whilst forgetting the importance of doing this out of genuine love. (Faith expressing itself through love). We can have such faith to move the mountains, but if we do not love others we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). Whilst we can show great acts of faith, it’s also vital to ensure we are doing them out of love and not make the mistake of doing it simply out of routine.
In Matthew Henry’s commentary of this verse, he writes ‘True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God AND to our brethren.’ This is a great way of picturing the fullness of faith. It is in its purest form when revealed through our love for God and those he has placed around us. As Christians, we have access to God’s unconditional and endless love to share with others, meaning we don’t have to lean on our naturally limited version of love.
As we grow in our journey of faith, let us also grow in love, whilst asking God to ‘Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.’ (Psalm 139;23-24). I hope this Galatians 5: 6 Bible study has encouraged you to share the love God so graciously shows us.
