Galatians5
New American Standard
1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
2Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
3And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law.
4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.
5For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
9A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
10I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.
11But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.
12I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.
13For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,
20idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,
21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.
26Let’s not become boastful, challenging 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