The phrase “yoke of bondage” appears in Galatians 5:1, where Paul writes: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” To understand what Paul means by this metaphor, we need to explore the meaning of the word “yoke” in the ancient world.
In the ancient Near East, a “yoke” was a wooden beam that joined a pair of oxen or other animals to a plow or wagon. The yoke was fastened over the necks of the animals so they could work together to bear the burden of pulling. A yoke provided control over the animals – once yoked, they were under the direction and guidance of the farmer or master. The yoke kept the animals unified in purpose and effort. It also prevented the animals from wandering off on their own.
The imagery of the yoke is used frequently in the Bible to describe submission and service to God or to a master. For example, Jeremiah used the imagery when calling the people of Jerusalem to submit to the yoke of Babylon (Jeremiah 27:8-11). Jesus also used the metaphor of the yoke to describe obedience to Him, exhorting His followers: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
So when Paul speaks of the “yoke of slavery” in Galatians, he is referring to the burdensome way of life under the Jewish law. Through faith in Christ, believers have been liberated from this yoke of bondage. But there is still the tendency to go back under the old covenant and seek to earn righteousness through rule-keeping. Paul exhorts the Galatians not to submit again to this yoke of slavery.
Why does Paul see the Jewish law as an unbearable yoke of bondage? A few key reasons emerge in the book of Galatians:
- The law was given for a set period of time – it was intended to lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:19, 24-25). To go back under the law after coming to faith in Christ would be like an adult choosing to be supervised under strict parents again after having grown up.
- The law demands perfect obedience, which is impossible for sinful humans. No one can keep the whole law flawlessly (Galatians 3:10). So it ends up condemning and enslaving people under guilt and futile effort.
- The purpose of the law was to imprison all under sin, so that the promise of salvation could be received by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:22-23). With Christ’s coming, believers are no longer under the supervision and custody of the law.
- Observing parts of the Jewish law like circumcision or Sabbath-keeping marked one as belonging to that covenant community. But in Christ, that barrier between Jew and Gentile is broken down (Galatians 3:28, 5:1-12). So continuing those observances misses the new reality created by the gospel.
- The law functioned like a strict disciplinarian for a time, overseeing the people until faith in Christ came. But now that this faith has come, believers have become mature sons and are no longer subject to the law’s oversight (Galatians 3:24-25, 4:1-7).
In summary, seeking to achieve right standing with God through good works and rule-keeping represents a step backward in redemption history. The law’s purpose was to point ahead to Christ. It was a temporary covenant given for a specific time and function. For those redeemed through faith in Christ, going back under the law is bondage because:
- It cannot justify, only condemn.
- It represents a regression in spiritual growth from sonship to slavery.
- It erects dividing walls between people groups.
- It misses the fulfillment that has come in Christ.
The freedom believers have in Christ is freedom from slavery to sin, condemnation, and the futile pursuit of justification through works. Instead, they are reconciled to God through faith and made heirs of the promise. This is true spiritual liberty. Why would anyone freed from prison voluntarily go back to the prison and subject themselves to the former oppressive existence? That is the absurdity and danger Paul saw in going back under the law. The Galatians needed to stand firm in the freedom provided in Christ and resist the false teachers urging them to go backward under a yoke of slavery.
Paul uses the metaphor of the yoke frequently in his other letters as well. He describes himself as pulling like an ox in Christ’s yoke when describing his labor in ministry (1 Corinthians 9:9-10, Philippians 4:3). This is a picture of useful service and cooperative effort for the sake of the gospel. He also describes false teachers as bringing God’s people under an oppressive yoke of slavery through their deceptive doctrines (1 Timothy 6:1). His warnings against submitting to a yoke of bondage ultimately stem from a concern to preserve the liberty believers enjoy in Christ and through the Spirit.
The “yoke of slavery” Paul opposes is not God’s moral law itself, which is holy and good (Romans 7:12). Believers delight in God’s law according to the inward person (Romans 7:22). However, they are no longer subject to its demands as a basis of justification. Fulfilling it through love by the power of the Spirit is now the concern (Galatians 5:13-14, Romans 8:4). Paul’s warning is against imposing law-keeping as a means of attaining righteousness before God. Jesus bore that yoke of obligation so that His followers are now freed to carry His easy yoke of discipleship.
In summary, the “yoke of bondage” refers to seeking right standing with God through good works and law-keeping. Paul exhorts the Galatians not to go backward in redemption history by submitting again to this oppressive yoke. Though the moral law reflects God’s righteous standards, it was given for a specific period with the purpose of pointing people to Christ. Now that Christ has come, believers have freedom and are empowered to fulfill the law through love by the Spirit. Going back under the law would be like a foolish animal who re-enters the prison after being freed. Instead, believers must stand firm in the liberty provided by Christ and not submit again to the yoke of slavery. This metaphor remains a powerful reminder today of the risk posed by legalism and the joy of walking in gospel freedom.
Other relevant verses:
Acts 15:10 – Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
Matthew 23:4 – They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.