An important verb in Gal. 5:2 could be either passive voice or middle voice. It is translated, “if you accept circumcision” (ESV) or “if ye be circumcised” (KJV) or “if you have yourselves circumcised” (NAB). Verse 4 is sometimes translated, “You are severed from Christ” (ESV) or “You . . . have been alienated from Christ” (NIV). Consideration of the Greek wording is critical for our understanding. Dr. Jeremiah Coogan, Assistant Professor of New Testament at the Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University, is an alum of Wheaton College’s Classical Languages major. He was the 2021 recipient of the Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship, and his publications include Eusebius the Evangelist: Rewriting the Fourfold Gospel in Late Antiquity (Oxford University Press).

Check out related programs at Wheaton College:

B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/48lnN5o

M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3UnbIXs