And in fact, with Jesus’ perfect work being the ground of salvation, the thought that a Christian could out-sin grace would have been detestable to Paul. But again, given the context of the entire book of Galatians, this cannot mean what Paul meant. It is ironic that some mean “lose salvation” when they say “fall from grace”. In fact, Paul never had this concept in his head when he brought out this phrase “fallen from grace”. He was not introducing this concept that a Christian could out-sin God’s grace, or forfeit their salvation through licentious living. In this light, Paul was not saying that people can sin their way out of salvation.

With this context in mind, I think it is clear that in Galatians 5:4 Paul was telling his readers that by attempting to win God’s approval through works, they were operating in a crippling system of legalism and works-righteousness, as opposed to salvation by grace. People are not saved by performance, or by outward actions, or by righteous deeds, but by the performance of Another namely, by the performance of Jesus. But Paul was arguing that people are saved not on the basis of merit, but on the basis of grace. They were tricked into thinking that if they obeyed enough, that they would be accepted and loved by God. And in Galatians, Paul had been arguing for free salvation through faith in Jesus, and against works-based, self-meritorious salvation.Īnd in fact, the Galatians had been duped by false teachers into thinking that the way someone is saved is through adherence to specific laws and outward obedience.

Meaning, Paul wasn’t arguing whether someone is saved his primary concern here and all throughout Galatians was how one becomes saved. Paul here (as he has been addressing throughout the entire letter) was speaking of the method of salvation. What does Paul mean by this? Many have claimed that Paul here is teaching conditional security (as opposed to unconditional) the thought that one can lose their position in Christ, no longer being saved.īut is this what this passage is teaching? I really don’t think so.įirst of all, from the context, Paul was not speaking about the status of one’s salvation. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law you have fallen away from grace Paul, in the height of his letter to the Galatians, says in Galatians 5:4,

What does it mean to fall from grace