5:1 · Thesis:Grammatically, verse 1 of chapter 5 is related to the previous paragraph, yet it also provides both a summary and a transition point to the letter. While the manuscript evidence varies on points of grammatical connectives, the sense of the statement is not endangered. In fact, this statement provides the thesis for Paul’s insistence on the Galatians’ rejection of the opponents. The NIV’s rendering of the verse into two sentences appears to be quite correct (against the KJV). The first sentence stands as the declaration of purpose for Christ’s redeeming work (literally “Christ set us free to freedom”), emphasizing the decisive event, which changed the believer’s condition from one of slavery (under the law and other elemental principles; see Gal. 4:3, 9) to freedom (see Gal. 2…