Galatians 2:4

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“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.”

What is the “liberty…in Christ Jesus” referenced here?

Those who believe that the Law of God was done away by Christ’s sacrifice believe that the “bondage” spoken of here is the keeping of the Ten Commandments—and the “liberty” is freedom from keeping them.

First, read Matthew 5:17-19 and James 2:8-12. James states that God’s law is a royal law (James 5:8), and James 5:12 calls it a “law of liberty.” Also see Romans 7:12 and 14, Micah 4:2, Deuteronomy 5:29 (which uses the words “always” and “forever”), Romans 13:8 and 10 and I John 5:3, among many others. Finally, notice Acts 15:1-2, which shows that some were teaching the need for obedience to the law of Moses, not the Ten Commandments, which is the Law of God. Note the reference to the “book of the law,” in the Galatians 3:10 explanation, regarding circumcision, washings, sacrifices, etc. Also consider rereading the I Corinthians 6:12 explanation. In addition, Hebrews 2:14-15 explains that the bondage pertaining to the law is bondage to the death penalty for all who break it and who do not repent.

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