Galatians 5:4
New International Version
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

New Living Translation
For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

English Standard Version
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

Berean Standard Bible
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever are being justified in the Law, you are severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

King James Bible
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

New King James Version
You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

New American Standard Bible
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.

NASB 1995
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

NASB 1977
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Legacy Standard Bible
You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!

Amplified Bible
You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing].

Christian Standard Bible
You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

American Standard Version
Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

Contemporary English Version
And if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his gift of undeserved grace.

English Revised Version
Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those of you who try to earn God's approval by obeying his laws have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen out of God's favor.

Good News Translation
Those of you who try to be put right with God by obeying the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ. You are outside God's grace.

International Standard Version
Those of you who are trying to be justified by the Law have been cut off from the Messiah. You have fallen away from grace.

Majority Standard Bible
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

NET Bible
You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace!

New Heart English Bible
You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.

Webster's Bible Translation
Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; ye have fallen from grace.

Weymouth New Testament
Christ has become nothing to any of you who are seeking acceptance with God through the Law: you have fallen away from grace.

World English Bible
You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you were voided from the Christ, you who are declared righteous in law; you fell away from grace;

Berean Literal Bible
Whoever are being justified in the Law, you are severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Young's Literal Translation
ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away;

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye were neglected from Christ, whoever are justified in the law; ye have fallen from grace.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You are made void of Christ, you who are justified in the law: you are fallen from grace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You are being emptied of Christ, you who are being justified by the law. You have fallen from grace.

New American Bible
You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

New Revised Standard Version
You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You have ceased to adhere to Christ, who seek justification by the law; you are fallen from grace.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You have been destroyed from The Messiah, those of you who are justified by that in The Written Law, and you have fallen from grace.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
You that are justified by law, have withdrawn from Christ: you have fallen from grace.

Godbey New Testament
You have been divorced from Christ, whosoever are justified by law: you have fallen from grace.

Haweis New Testament
Ye have vacated all expectations from Christ, as many of you as are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Mace New Testament
Christ is of no use to you, whoever of you seek to be justified by the law; you have lost all interest in the gospel-dispensation.

Weymouth New Testament
Christ has become nothing to any of you who are seeking acceptance with God through the Law: you have fallen away from grace.

Worrell New Testament
Ye were separated from Christ, whoever of you are being justified by law; ye fell out of grace;

Worsley New Testament
Christ is become nothing to you, whosoever of you are seeking to be justified by the law: ye are fallen from the grace of the gospel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Freedom in Christ
3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.…

Cross References
Romans 11:6
And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Romans 4:14
For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,

Romans 9:31-32
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,

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Hebrews 7:18-19
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.

2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...

Colossians 2:20-23
If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: / “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? / These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. ...

Acts 13:39
Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 10:3-4
Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. / For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Galatians 3:10-12
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.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Galatians 4:9-11
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? / You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! / I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.


Treasury of Scripture

Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace.

is.

Galatians 5:2
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 2:21
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Romans 9:31,32
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness…

justified.

Romans 3:20
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:4,5
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt…

ye.

Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: …

Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, …

Jump to Previous
Acceptance Alienated Christ Cut Declared Deprived Desire Effect Fallen Fell Freed Grace Justified Law Profit Righteous Righteousness Seeking Separated Severed Trying Turned
Jump to Next
Acceptance Alienated Christ Cut Declared Deprived Desire Effect Fallen Fell Freed Grace Justified Law Profit Righteous Righteousness Seeking Separated Severed Trying Turned
Galatians 5
1. He wills them to stand in their liberty,
3. and not to observe circumcision;
13. but rather love, which is the sum of the law.
19. He lists the works of the flesh,
22. and the fruits of the Spirit,
25. and exhorts to walk in the Spirit.














You who are trying to be justified by the law
This phrase addresses those who seek righteousness through adherence to the Mosaic Law. The Greek word for "justified" is "δικαιόω" (dikaioō), which means to be declared righteous. In the historical context of the early church, some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile converts must follow Jewish law to be saved. Paul argues against this, emphasizing that justification comes through faith in Christ, not legalistic observance. This reflects the broader New Testament teaching that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of human effort.

have been severed from Christ
The Greek word "καταργέω" (katargeō) is used here, meaning to be rendered inactive or to be separated. Paul uses strong language to convey the seriousness of relying on the law for justification. To be "severed from Christ" implies a disconnection from the source of spiritual life and salvation. Historically, this reflects the tension between the Judaizers and Paul’s gospel of grace, highlighting the danger of turning back to the law after accepting Christ.

you have fallen away from grace
The phrase "fallen away" comes from the Greek "ἐκπίπτω" (ekpiptō), meaning to lose one's grasp or to drift away. Grace, "χάρις" (charis) in Greek, is the unmerited favor of God. Paul warns that seeking justification through the law is a departure from the grace that is freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. This serves as a reminder of the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and the futility of human efforts to earn salvation. Theologically, it underscores the core Christian doctrine that grace, not law, is the foundation of the believer's relationship with God.

(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you.--Literally, Ye were (or, more idiomatically, are) abolished, made nothing, from Christ; a condensed form of expression for, Ye are made nothing (unchristianised), and cut off from Christ. Your relations to Christ are cancelled, and you are Christians no longer.

Are justified.--Strictly, seek to be justified.

Ye are fallen from grace.--The Christian is justified by an act of grace, or free, unearned favour, on the part of God. He who seeks for justification in any other way loses this grace. Grace is not here a state or disposition in the believer, but a divine act or relation.

Verse 4. - Christ is become of no effect unto you (κατηργήθητε ἀπὸ τοῦ Ξριστοῦ); or, ye have disconnected yourselves from Christ. The verb καταργεῖν is a favourite word with St. Paul, occurring twenty-seven times in his Epistles, including twice in the Hebrews, whilst in the rest of the New Testament it occurs only once, and that in the Pauline St. Luke (Luke 13:7). Its proper meaning is "to make inoperative," "make of no effect," as above (Galatians 3:17). The phrase, καταργεῖσθαι ἀπό, etc., occurs Romans 7:2, "If the husband die (κατήργηται ἀπό), she is discharged from the law of the husband;" it ceases to have any effect upon her; so ibid., ver. 6, "Now we have been discharged from the Law (κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμον);" it has ceased to have any operation towards us. The phrase combines the two ideas - separation suggested by the ἀπό (comp. Romans 9:3), and the cessation of a work (ἔργον) or an effect till then wrought by one upon the other of the two parties: the two parties have nothing more to do with each other. The sense given in the Authorized Version is perfectly justifiable; only, perhaps, here the passive takes, as it sometimes does, the reflective sense of the middle verb; but it may be that the apostle means simply to express the result which has accrued. The aorist tense of κατηργήθητε, as well as of the ἐξεπέσατε, expresses the certainty and promptness with which the result followed upon the (supposed) act. Whosoever of you are justified by the Law (oi%tine e)n no/mw"" δικαιοῦσθε); such of you as go about to be justified by the Law. "By the Law;" literally, in the Law; seek to find in the Law the means of justification (cf. Galatians 3:11, and note). The present tense is the present of design or endeavour; the result in this case being, in fact, unattainable (Galatians 3:10, 21). Ye are fallen from grace (τῆς χάριτος ἐξεπέσατε); ye have fallen from the state of grace. "Grace" denotes the condition of acceptance with God into which faith in Christ brings us. Cf. Romans 5:2: "Through whom we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." The verb ἐκπίπτω is used as in 2 Peter 3:17, "Lest - ye fall from (ἐκτέσητε) your own steadfastness." So πίπτω, Revelation 2:5, "Remember whence thou hast fallen [πέπτωκας: Receptus, ἐκπέπτωκας]." In classical Greek the verb was frequently used as a set term to describe those who, in the alternating success of adverse factions in the several independent cities of Greece, were compelled by a more powerful adverse party to submit to exile; its correlative verb being ἐκβάλλω. This fact leads Bishop Lightfoot, having an eye to the ἔκβαλε of Galatians 4:30, to render ἐξεπέσατε here, "are driven forth and banished with Hagar your mother." But this very idiomatic colour of meaning it seems very precarious to give to the word in the Greek of St. Paul. The more general signification of the term is amply sustained by its use in Plutarch as cited by Wetstein.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
{You} who
οἵτινες (hoitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

are [trying] to be justified
δικαιοῦσθε (dikaiousthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1344: From dikaios; to render just or innocent.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Law
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

have been severed
κατηργήθητε (katērgēthēte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2673: From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

Christ;
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

you have fallen away
ἐξεπέσατε (exepesate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1601: From ek and pipto; to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient.

from
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

grace.
χάριτος (charitos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.


Links
Galatians 5:4 NIV
Galatians 5:4 NLT
Galatians 5:4 ESV
Galatians 5:4 NASB
Galatians 5:4 KJV

Galatians 5:4 BibleApps.com
Galatians 5:4 Biblia Paralela
Galatians 5:4 Chinese Bible
Galatians 5:4 French Bible
Galatians 5:4 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Galatians 5:4 You are alienated from Christ you who (Gal. Ga)
Galatians 5:3
Top of Page
Top of Page