Galatians5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
3Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.
5For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
7Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?
8This persuasion came not of him that calleth you.
9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.
12I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.
13For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
18But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
21envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
24And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
25If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
26Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Galatians 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An earnest exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel. (1–12). To take heed of indulging a sinful temper. (13–15). And to walk in the Spirit, and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh: the works of both are described. (16–26).
vv1-6
Christ will not be the Saviour of any who will not own and rely upon him as their only Saviour. Let us take heed to the warnings and persuasions of the apostle to stedfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the gospel. All true Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life, the reward of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ; and not for the sake of their own works. The Jewish convert might observe the ceremonies or assert his liberty, the Gentile might disregard them or might attend to them, provided he did not depend upon them. No outward privileges or profession will avail to acceptance with God, without sincere faith in our Lord Jesus. True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God, and to our brethren. May we be of the number of those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. The danger of old was not in things of no consequence in themselves, as many forms and observances now are. But without faith working by love, all else is worthless, and compared with it other things are of small value.
vv7-12
The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if he would obtain the prize. It is not enough that we profess Christianity, but we must run well, by living up to that profession. Many who set out fairly in religion, are hindered in their progress, or turn out of the way. It concerns those who begin to turn out of the way, or to tire in it, seriously to inquire what hinders them. The opinion or persuasion, verse 8, was, no doubt, that of mixing the works of the law with faith in Christ in justification. The apostle leaves them to judge whence it must arise, but sufficiently shows that it could be owing to none but Satan. It is dangerous for Christian churches to encourage those who follow, but especially who spread, destructive errors. And in reproving sin and error, we should always distinguish between the leaders and the led. The Jews were offended, because Christ was preached as the only salvation for sinners. If Paul and others would have admitted that the observance of the law of Moses was to be joined with faith in Christ, as necessary to salvation, then believers might have avoided many of the sufferings they underwent. The first beginnings of such leaven should be opposed. And assuredly those who persist in disturbing the church of Christ must bear their judgment.
vv13-15
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 6:3, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another, quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace, that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live.
Key Words
ἐλευθερία (eleuthería): freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
ἐλευθερόω (eleutheróō): to liberate, i.e. (figuratively) to exempt (from moral, ceremonial or mortal liability)
ἡμᾶς (hēmâs): us
στήκω (stḗkō): to be stationary, i.e. (figuratively) to persevere
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἐνέχω (enéchō): to hold in or upon, i.e. ensnare; by implication, to keep a grudge
πάλιν (pálin): (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
Cross References
Galatians 5Whosoever is circumcised for justification is under obligation to fulfill the entire law under its curse.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter similarly calls the ceremonial law a yoke which neither they nor their fathers could bear.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Seeking justification by legal circumcision makes Christ's death of no benefit or effect.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts not to turn 'again' to the weak, beggarly elements of spiritual bondage.
Supported by JFB
Grace and works-righteousness are mutually exclusive; seeking justification by the law forfeits grace.
Supported by JFB
Reiterates that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails, but a new creature.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul uses the same proverbial metaphor of a little leaven corrupting the entire community.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct quotation of the law fulfilled by loving one's neighbor as oneself.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Those led by the Spirit of God are sons of God, freed from legal bondage.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Believers crucify the fleshly world through the cross of Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul circumcised Timothy for expediency, not justification, contrasting with the Galatians' legalism.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the troublers of the church as those who pervert the gospel of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Warning not to use Christian liberty as a cloak or occasion for maliciousness.
Supported by John Calvin
Contrasts those who walk after the flesh with those who mind the things of the Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Believers are dead to the law by the body of Christ to bring forth fruit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The preaching of Christ crucified remains a stumblingblock and offense to legalists.
Supported by Matthew Henry