What does Galatians 5:1 mean?

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Ver. 1. Be not held again under the yoke of bondage, of the old law. (Witham) — This verse must be understood in the same manner as the 9th verse of the preceding chapter. See the annotations upon it.
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Haydock.
 
Secular freedom means freedom to; Christian freedom means freedom from
 
In the context of the rest of the chapter and the epistle in general the freedom is from the Old Covenant laws such as circumcision, sacrificial, and dietary. The circumcision is now of the heart, not the flesh. Christ’s once for all sacrifice made the animal sacrifices no longer necessary. What comes out of the heart is more important than what food goes in the body.
 
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The same as Paul was saying. It is freedom from the ceremonial laws, not the moral laws such as the ten commandments.
 
Paul’s letter to the Galatians addresses whether or not the addition of works to faith justifies you before God. This is one of the most emotional responses Paul has throughout all of his letters, expressing outright anger at the Judaizers who by attempting to teach the Galatians to be circumcised were in effect placing the confidence for salvation in their own works, effort, and own flesh. Paul adamantly refutes this idea saying that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works. He demonstrates that we are all law-breakers and as such we are subject to the curse of the law. However, Christ became the curse of the law in our place, that we might be reckoned as righteous by faith in Him. Paul is telling the Galatians in this verse, that you were set free from the curse of the law, therefore do not put your confidence in your flesh to justify you when it is only by faith that you are justified. Attempting to be justified before God by works of the law is like submitting again to the slave owner from which you were redeemed. Rather, we should place our confidence for justification in Christ by faith, and having done so, walk in the spirit with him, not because it results in our justification, but because we are heirs to eternal life through Christ.
 
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po18guy said:
Slavery to sin.
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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner…

One has to read the entire part of the sentence being discussed…it is very apparent it is about the old law and being under the punishment of such.

We have freedom from it through the ultimate sacrifice no priest was able to perform…Christ.

Freedom not just for the Jews, but for the gentiles also…
 
Is Haydock a Catholic commentator? Just curious because I think his commentary is one of the ones available on Bible Gateway
 
DrawNearToGod said:
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
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This matter could be better understood. It pertains to the moral law as well, and Hodos is correct. Consider this teaching from the catechism:
1963 According to Christian tradition, the Law is holy, spiritual, and good,14 yet still imperfect. Like a tutor15 it shows what must be done, but does not of itself give the strength, the grace of the Spirit, to fulfill it. Because of sin, which it cannot remove, it remains a law of bondage. According to St. Paul, its special function is to denounce and disclose sin , which constitutes a “law of concupiscence” in the human heart.16 However, the Law remains the first stage on the way to the kingdom. It prepares and disposes the chosen people and each Christian for conversion and faith in the Savior God. It provides a teaching which endures for ever, like the Word of God.

And we’re delivered from both the “yoke of the law” and bondage or slavery to sin, which Gal 5 continues on to address. With the New Covenant we fulfill the law the right way, by the Spirit who gives us the grace to overcome sin, “apart from the law” (Rom 3:21).
 
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We’re never free to commit sin of course
  • but in other manners … such as not being bound anymore by Mosaic laws - we are…
This following from 1 COR - lends more understanding

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
 
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