Galatians Chapter 5 · Verse 4
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Original Language Analysis
κατηργήθητε
G2673
κατηργήθητε
Strong's:
G2673
Word #:
1 of 11
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
ἀπὸ
is become of no effect unto you
G575
ἀπὸ
is become of no effect unto you
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
2 of 11
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἵτινες
whosoever of you
G3748
οἵτινες
whosoever of you
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
5 of 11
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
νόμῳ
the law
G3551
νόμῳ
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
7 of 11
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
δικαιοῦσθε
are justified
G1344
δικαιοῦσθε
are justified
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
8 of 11
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 11:6And 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.Galatians 2:21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.Hebrews 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;Romans 3:20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.Revelation 2:5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.Galatians 5:2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Historical Context
Arminians cite this verse for losing salvation; Calvinists argue it describes professed believers who never truly believed. Either way, Paul's point stands: law and grace can't coexist as grounds for righteousness. The Judaizers thought adding law to faith strengthened their position; Paul shows it destroys it entirely. This echoes Jesus's teaching about new wine and old wineskins (Luke 5:36-39)—mixing systems ruins both. The Galatians faced choice: grace alone or not grace at all. Hybrid religion is impossible.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you 'fallen from grace' by subtly shifting from trusting Christ's finished work to trusting your own religious performance?
- How do you recognize when you've moved from grace-based relationship with God to law-based religion?
- What does it mean practically that Christ is 'of no effect' when you seek justification through law-keeping?
Analysis & Commentary
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Paul states devastating consequence. "Christ is become of no effect unto you" (katērgēthēte apo Christou, κατηργήθητε ἀπὸ Χριστοῦ)—literally "you are severed from Christ, rendered inoperative regarding Christ." Katargeō means to nullify, make void, sever. "Whosoever of you are justified by the law" (hoitines en nomō dikaiousthe)—whoever seeks righteousness through law-keeping.
"Ye are fallen from grace" (tēs charitos exepesate, τῆς χάριτος ἐξεπέσατε)—you fell out of grace, dropped from grace-sphere. This doesn't mean losing salvation but never truly embracing it. Grace and law are mutually exclusive operating systems (Romans 11:6). To choose law-righteousness is to reject grace-righteousness. You can't have both. "Fallen from grace" doesn't mean sinning but abandoning grace as the principle of relationship with God, replacing it with works. This is the ultimate fall—from divine favor freely given to human effort doomed to fail.