The phrase “fall from grace” comes from Galatians 5:4, which says “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” This verse is referring to the false teaching that one must follow the Old Testament law in order to be saved. The book of Galatians was written because there were some in the Galatian church who were teaching that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses in order to truly be part of God’s people. The apostle Paul wrote Galatians in order to correct this false teaching and make it clear that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law. So when Paul says in Galatians 5:4 that those trying to be justified by the law have “fallen from grace,” he means that they have turned away from the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith.
Specifically, to “fall from grace” means:
- Turning from faith in Christ to dependence on works of the law for salvation
- Abandoning the principle of salvation by grace alone through faith alone
- Reverting to a legalistic approach to salvation that requires works or human effort
- Departing from the gospel of grace and embracing a false gospel of works righteousness
- Rejecting the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work on the cross as the basis for salvation
So in summary, to “fall from grace” means turning away from the free gift of salvation offered in the gospel and instead trying to earn salvation through human effort and good works. It means abandoning reliance on Christ alone and adding works and law-keeping as requirements for salvation. This is a dangerous path that leads to spiritual death, because no one can be justified by works of law (Galatians 2:16). Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Good works and obedience have an important place in the Christian life, but only as the result of salvation, not as a means to achieve it. When we turn from faith in Christ and start trusting in our own works as the basis for salvation, we have fallen from grace.
Understanding the Wider Context
In order to fully understand what it means to “fall from grace,” it’s helpful to see the fuller context of the book of Galatians. The key themes and passages around this concept include:
Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship (Galatians 1-2)
Paul starts the letter by defending his position as an apostle appointed by Christ. He emphasizes that the gospel he preaches came directly from Jesus, not from any human source. This establishes Paul’s authority in combatting the false teachers distorting the true gospel.
Justification by Faith Alone (Galatians 2:16-17)
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” This key passage establishes that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not by works.
The Law and the Promise (Galatians 3)
Paul argues that the promised blessing to Abraham was by faith, not law. The law actually curses those who try to follow it for salvation because no one can keep it perfectly. The law was meant to lead people to Christ and His promise of salvation by grace and faith.
Sons and Heirs Through Christ (Galatians 3:26 – 4:7)
Those who have faith in Christ are adopted as sons of God and heirs of the promise given to Abraham. Trying to earn salvation through works of law makes someone a slave, while freedom comes through faith in Christ.
A Plea to Return to the Gospel (Galatians 4:8-31)
Paul urges the Galatians to reject the legalistic false teaching and remember the true gospel he first preached to them, which offers freedom in Christ by grace through faith.
Understanding these contextual themes helps shed light on the meaning of “fall from grace.” In short, it is departing from the free gift of salvation offered in the gospel by embracing a false gospel that demands law-keeping and good works as requirements for justification.
Warnings Against Falling from Grace
Paul gives strong warnings elsewhere against the danger of falling from grace by turning to law and works instead of grace through faith:
Galatians 5:2-4 – Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
Philippians 3:2-9 – Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.
Both of these passages warn that turning to circumcision and the law nullifies grace and causes one to lose the benefits of salvation in Christ. This drives home the danger of abandoning faith for works when it comes to salvation.
Practical Implications and Applications
Understanding the biblical teaching on falling from grace has several practical implications for believers today:
- Guard against legalism and performance-based faith. All Christians should be vigilant against imposing legalistic rules as requirements for salvation.
- Remember that grace and works are opposite ways of salvation. Grace and works cannot co-exist as the basis for salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Rest in Christ’s finished work, not your own effort. Eternal life is the gift of God, not wages to be earned (Romans 6:23).
- Allow good works to flow from grace. Accepting grace enables the Holy Spirit to produce godly fruit in our lives. We can’t manufacture it by self-effort.
- Extend grace to others. Relating to other believers on the basis of performance and “measuring up” leads to pride and destroys community.
- Avoid a judgmental spirit. Looking down on those who don’t keep external standards of conduct is legalistic. Different believers have freedom in different areas.
In summary, striving to earn salvation through good works is dangerous and unbiblical. As believers, we exalt and honor Christ by relying fully on His redeeming work for us. We live in response to grace, not to achieve grace. The doctrine of falling from grace teaches us the folly of trying to add to the gospel. Let us humbly cling to the sufficiency of the cross, for we are accepted and complete in Christ alone.