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Galatians 5:12

Galatians 5:12 in Multiple Translations

As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.

My desire is that they who give you trouble might even be cut off themselves.

If only those who are causing you trouble would go even further than circumcision and castrate themselves!

Would to God they were euen cut off, which doe disquiet you.

O that even they would cut themselves off who are unsettling you!

I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.

I would they were even cut off who trouble you.

I would they were even cut off, who trouble you.

I would even wish that those who are disturbing you by insisting that men be circumcised would also emasculate [EUP] themselves, with the result that they would be expelled from your congregations!

Do you know what I think about those people that are getting you all mixed up? I wish they will cut their own bodies, not yours.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Galatians 5:12

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Galatians 5:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK οφελον και αποκοψονται οι αναστατουντες υμας
οφελον ophelon G3785 I wish! Verb-2AAI-1S
και kai G2532 and Conj
αποκοψονται apokoptō G609 to cut off Verb-FMI-3P
οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM
αναστατουντες anastatoō G387 to cause trouble Verb-PAP-NPM
υμας su G4771 you Pron-2AP
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Greek Word Reference — Galatians 5:12

οφελον ophelon G3785 "I wish!" Verb-2AAI-1S
This phrase is like saying 'I wish' and is used to express a strong desire for something. In 1 Corinthians 4:8, Paul uses this phrase to express a wish that the Corinthians were more spiritually mature.
Definition: ὄφελον 2 aorist of ὀφείλω, without the augment (see M, Pr., 201n), used to express a fruitless wish; [in LXX (with aor. indic.): Exo.16:3 (נָתַן מִי), Num.14:2 Num.20:3 (לוּא), Psa.119:5 (אַחֲלַי), etc. ;] in cl. with an infin. (chiefly poët.), would that: with indic. aor., 1Co.4:8; impf., 2Co.11:1, Rev.3:15; fut., Gal.5:12 (a practicable wish, see 131., 206 f., 220. The construction with indic. is only found in late writers.)† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: would (to God) See also: 1 Corinthians 4:8; Galatians 5:12; Revelation 3:15.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
αποκοψονται apokoptō G609 "to cut off" Verb-FMI-3P
To cut off or amputate, as in Mark 9:43 and John 18:10, where it refers to cutting off a body part. It can also mean to mutilate oneself. In Galatians 5:12, it is used to describe self-mutilation. This word is often translated as 'cut off' in the KJV.
Definition: ἀπο-κόπτω [in LXX for קָצַץ, כָּרַת, etc. ;] to cut off: Mrk.9:43, 45, Jhn.18:10, 26 Act.27:32. Mid., to mutilate oneself, have oneself mutilated: Gal.5:12 (cf. Deu.23:1 LXX; and see Cremer, 751; MM, see word).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: cut off See also: Acts 27:32; John 18:26; Mark 9:45.
οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
αναστατουντες anastatoō G387 "to cause trouble" Verb-PAP-NPM
To cause trouble or disturb someone, as seen in Acts 17:6 where the Jews stirred up a riot against Paul. This word can also mean to drive someone out of their home or cause them to feel unsettled.
Definition: ἀνα-στατόω, ῶ (ἀνάστατος, driven from home; ἀνίστημι), [in LXX: Dan.7:23 (דּוּשׁ;* also in Aq., and in π. (see Deiss., LAE, 80 f.; MM, VGT, see word),] to stir up, excite, unsettle: with accusative; __(a) to tumult and sedition: Act.17:6 21:38; __(b) by false teaching: Gal.5:12 (see Milligan, NTD, 73 f.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: trouble, turn upside down, make an uproar See also: Acts 17:6; Acts 21:38; Galatians 5:12.
υμας su G4771 "you" Pron-2AP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

Study Notes — Galatians 5:12

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Galatians 5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
2 1 Corinthians 5:13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
3 Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition,
4 Exodus 12:15 For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.
5 Joshua 7:25 “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.
6 Exodus 30:33 Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”
7 Leviticus 22:3 Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD.
8 Genesis 17:14 But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
9 Galatians 2:4 This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
10 Joshua 7:12 This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

Galatians 5:12 Summary

In this verse, Paul is expressing his strong feelings against those who are trying to confuse and mislead the Galatians about what it means to be a Christian. He wishes that they would stop causing trouble and realize the seriousness of their actions, as seen in other parts of the Bible like Deuteronomy 23:1. Paul wants the Galatians to know that they are free in Christ and don't need to follow human rules to be accepted by God (Galatians 5:13-14, Romans 6:14). He encourages them to use their freedom to serve and love one another, rather than trying to earn God's favor through their own efforts (Galatians 5:13, John 13:34).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Paul mean by wishing that those who are agitating the Galatians would emasculate themselves?

Paul is using a figure of speech to express his strong feelings against those who are troubling the Galatians, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:1 and Isaiah 56:3-5, where emasculation is associated with being cut off from God's people.

Is Paul promoting violence or harm towards others?

No, Paul is not promoting violence, but rather using a rhetorical device to convey the severity of the situation, similar to Jesus' statement in Matthew 18:8-9, where He uses hyperbole to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin.

Who are the ones agitating the Galatians, and what is their goal?

The ones agitating the Galatians are likely the Judaizers, who are trying to persuade the Galatians to adopt Jewish customs and traditions, such as circumcision, in order to be truly Christian, as seen in Galatians 5:11 and Acts 15:1-5.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Galatians?

This verse is part of Paul's argument against the Judaizers and their attempt to add human works to the gospel, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, as seen in Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I am being 'agitated' or pressured to compromise my faith, and how can I stand firm in the face of such pressures?
  2. How do I balance my desire to follow God's law with the freedom that I have in Christ, as seen in Galatians 5:13-14?
  3. In what ways can I serve others in love, as Paul encourages in Galatians 5:13, and how can I use my freedom to build up and edify others?
  4. What are some 'offenses of the cross' that I may be facing, and how can I trust God to help me navigate such challenges, as seen in Galatians 5:11?

Gill's Exposition on Galatians 5:12

I would they were even cut off which trouble you. These words are a solemn wish of the apostle's with respect to the false teachers, or an imprecation of the judgment of God upon them; that they

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 5:12

I would they were even cut off which trouble you. They ... which trouble you , [ anastatountes (G387)] - turning upside down (Acts 17:6): setting up what ought to be down, and down what ought to be

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 5:12

I wish that God would some way or other put an end to these that trouble you. This Paul speaketh not out of hatred to their persons, but out of a zeal to the glory of God, and a just indignation against these men, who had so much hindered the salvation of the members of this church. And it is not improbable that the apostle here spake by the Spirit of prophecy, as knowing God would cut them off; so that his and the like imprecations of holy men in Scripture are not to be drawn into precedents, or made matters for our imitation, unless we had the same discerning of spirits which they had, or the same Spirit of prophecy and revelations from God as to future things. But how far it is lawful or unlawful for ordinary persons, whether ministers or private Christians, to pray against God’ s or his church’ s enemies, is a question for the arguing which this place is too narrow.

Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 5:12

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. Ver. 12. I would they were even cut] Not circumcised only, cut round, but cut off, Non circumcidantur modo, sed et abscindantur. (Chrys.) That trouble you] That turn you upside down, or that turn you out of house and home.

Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 5:12

(12) I would they were even cut off.—The Authorised version is undoubtedly wrong here. The words may mean “cut themselves off,” i.e., from your communion, but it seems far best to take the words, with all the ancient Greek interpreters and a large majority of modern commentators, including Dr. Lightfoot and Bishop Wordsworth, as referring to an extension of the rite of circumcision, such as the Galatians might see frequently practised by the priests of Cybele, whose worship had one of its most imporant centres in their country—I would they would even make themselves eunuchs. Let them carry their self-mutilation still further, and not stop at circumcision. The expression is in several ways surprising as coming from St. Paul. We should remember, in some mitigation of it, the fact just alluded to, that the Galatians were themselves familiar with this particular form of self-mutilation; and familiar with it, no doubt, in discourse as well as in act. Christianity, while it has had the effect of putting a stop to such horrible practices, has also banished them even from thought and word. It is less, perhaps, a matter of wonder that we should have to appeal to the difference in standard between the Apostle’s times and our own, than that we have to appeal to it so seldom. Still, at the best, words like these must be allowed to come some way short of the “meekness and gentleness of Christ.” We may compare with them, as well for the particular expression as for the general vehemence of language, Philippians 3:2 : “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of concision” (with a play on “circumcision”). The Apostle himself would have been the last to claim that he had “already attained, either were already perfect.” A highly nervous and excitable constitution such as his, shattered by bodily hardships and mental strain, could not but at times impair his power of self-control. It is to be noticed, however, that his indignation, if it sometimes carries him somewhat too far, is always roused in a worthy cause. Such momentary ebullitions as these are among the very few flaws in a truly noble and generous character, and are themselves in great part due to the ardour which makes it so noble. Which trouble you.—A different word from that which is similarly translated in Galatians 5:10. Its meaning is stronger: “to uproot and overthrow.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 5:12

Verse 12. I would they were even cut off which trouble you.] This saying has puzzled many, and different interpretations of the place have been proposed by learned men. At first sight it seems as if the apostle was praying for the destruction of the false teachers who had perverted the Churches of Galatia. Mr. Wakefield thought οφελοναποκοψονται might be translated, I wish that they were made to weep; and in his translation of the New Testament the passage stands thus: "I wish that they who are unsettling you may lament it." I believe the apostle never meant any such thing. As the persons who were breeding all this confusion in the Churches of Galatia were members of that Church, the apostle appears to me to be simply expressing his desire that they might be cut off or excommunicated from the Church. Kypke has given an abundance of examples where the word is used to signify amputating; cutting off from society, office, c. excluding. In opposition to the notion of excommunication, it might be asked: "Why should the apostle wish these to be excommunicated when it was his own office to do it?" To this it may be answered: The apostle's authority was greatly weakened among that people by the influence of the false teachers, so that in all probability he could exercise no ecclesiastical function; he could therefore only express his wish. And the whole passage is so parallel to that, 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, that I think there can be no reasonable doubt of the apostle's meaning: Let those who are unsettling the Church of Christ in your district be excommunicated; this is my wish, that they should no longer have any place among you."

Cambridge Bible on Galatians 5:12

12. The Apostle gives vent to his righteous indignation.they were even cut off] Two explanations of this expression are given. All expositors however agree in translating the verb as a middle, not as passive.(1) ‘I would that they who are such advocates for circumcision would go further and practise self-mutilation, like the priests of Cybele’. This is the view of Chrysostom and has the support of the most eminent commentators, ancient and modern. Bp. Lightfoot remarks, that ‘by glorying in the flesh’ the Galatians were returning in a very marked way to the bondage of their former heathenism; and Dr Jowett considers that ‘the common interpretation of the Fathers, confirmed by the use of language in the Septuagint, is not to be rejected only because it is displeasing to the delicacy of modern times’.(2) ‘I would that they who are not merely teaching error, but stirring up sedition among you, would go further and even cut themselves off from you’, i.e. that instead of remaining as a disturbing element in the Church, they would openly secede and sever themselves. In favour of this interpretation (which seems to be adopted by the R.V. ‘even cut themselves off’[30]) the following considerations are of weight: (a) The word occurs three times (exclusive of repetitions) in the active voice in the N. T. and always in the physical sense = ‘amputate’ or cut through. It occurs nowhere else in the middle. And it is common for a verb to undergo a change from the physical to the ethical sense with the change of voice. (b) It is not met with in the middle in the LXX. The passive participle occurs once in the sense of ‘mutilated’. (c) The word rendered ‘trouble’ you, is not the same as that used in Galatians 5:10, but a term descriptive of the action of those leaders who stirred up a body of disaffected citizens, inducing them to abandon their homes and live by warfare or depredation, comp. Acts 21:38. What wish more natural than that men with such sectarian aims should sever themselves wholly from the company of believers? (d) The coarseness of the former explanation is heightened by the abruptness of the wish. There is moreover no other allusion in St Paul’s writings to the practice in question. [30] With the alternative in the Margin, ‘Mutilate themselves’.Between the two interpretations the student must choose that which approves itself to his judgment.

Barnes' Notes on Galatians 5:12

I would they were even cut off - That is, as I understand it, from the communion of the church.

Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 5:12

12. I am so far from preaching circumcision, that I would they might inflict upon themselves excision. There is clearly an antithesis between the circumcision and the excision; but the question is, what excision is meant?

Sermons on Galatians 5:12

SermonDescription
Richard Wurmbrand Die Feinde Des Evangeliums Sollen Abgeschnitten Werden (German) by Richard Wurmbrand In this sermon, a young man shares his personal testimony of being freed from prison and his desire for forgiveness from his father. He believes that if he sees white bags hanging
John Gill Of Church Discipline. by John Gill John Gill emphasizes that church discipline is rooted in divine authority rather than human laws, asserting that Christ is the sole head and lawgiver of the church. He clarifies th
J.H. Newman Bishop Wilson's Meditations on His Sacred Office, No. 5.-- Thursday--(Continued) by J.H. Newman J.H. Newman preaches on the importance of Church discipline, emphasizing the authority given by Jesus Christ to His ministers to judge and discipline according to His Word. Excommu
Martin Luther I Marvel. by Martin Luther Martin Luther preaches on Paul's patient and loving approach towards the seduced Galatians, excusing their error like a father and reproving them with motherly affection. He expres
St. John Chrysostom Homily 29 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of being full of goodness, knowledge, and the ability to admonish one another, highlighting the need to avoid conceit and judgment tow
William MacDonald Studies in 1 Corinthians-05 1 Cor 5:8-13 by William MacDonald In this sermon, the preacher introduces a chorus that the congregation has previously learned and liked. The chorus emphasizes the belief in God's guidance and trust in Him during
Stephen Kaung Our Firm Foundation by Stephen Kaung In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of believers and compares it to the time of the Apostle Paul. He emphasizes that many people claim to be pious but lack tru

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