Galatians 5

Commentary

Freedom in Christ

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Living by the Spirit

(Romans 8:9-11)

16This I say then, Walk in 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: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Freedom in Christ

1 Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.

7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 10 I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.

13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

Walking by the Spirit
(Ezekiel 36:16–38; Romans 8:9–11)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

Freedom in Christ

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

2 Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.

7 You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? 8 Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. 9 A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

11 Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” a 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Walking by the Spirit
(Ezekiel 36:16–38; Romans 8:9–11)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

 

Footnotes:

14 a Leviticus 19:18

Freedom in Christ

1In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude;

2lo, I Paul do say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing; 3and I testify again to every man circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law; 4ye were freed from the Christ, ye who in law are declared righteous; from the grace ye fell away; 5for we by the Spirit, by faith, a hope of righteousness do wait for, 6for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith through love working.

7Ye were running well; who did hinder you -- not to obey the truth? 8the obedience is not of him who is calling you! 9a little leaven the whole lump doth leaven; 10I have confidence in regard to you in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded; and he who is troubling you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be. 11And I, brethren, if uncircumcision I yet preach, why yet am I persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away; 12O that even they would cut themselves off who are unsettling you!

13For ye -- to freedom ye were called, brethren, only not the freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through the love serve ye one another, 14for all the law in one word is fulfilled -- in this: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself;' 15and if one another ye do bite and devour, see -- that ye may not by one another be consumed.

Living by the Spirit

(Romans 8:9-11)

16And I say: In the Spirit walk ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete; 17for the flesh doth desire contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these are opposed one to another, that the things that ye may will -- these ye may not do; 18and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law. 19And manifest also are the works of the flesh, which are: Adultery, whoredom, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations, wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects, 21envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revellings, and such like, of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that those doing such things the reign of God shall not inherit. 22And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23meekness, temperance: against such there is no law; 24and those who are Christ's, the flesh did crucify with the affections, and the desires;

25if we may live in the Spirit, in the Spirit also we may walk; 26let us not become vain-glorious -- one another provoking, one another envying!

The Favor of God paraphrase

Freedom in Christ

¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ 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. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

A Call to Persevere

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Footnotes:

1.“Yoke of slavery” (verse 1) is a metaphor for the legalistic practices of the law, which kept people bound to rituals rather than free in Christ. Jesus frees believers from these burdens through His grace.

2.Circumcision (verse 2) here represents adherence to the Jewish law as necessary for salvation. Paul emphasizes that such outward signs mean nothing without faith expressing itself through love.

3.“A little yeast” (verse 9) is a common metaphor in both Jewish and Christian contexts. It refers to how a small influence—whether good or bad—can spread and affect the whole. In this case, Paul warns how false teachings can corrupt the truth.

4.“Love your neighbor as yourself” (verse 14) echoes Jesus’ summary of the law. It emphasizes that love fulfills all the requirements of God’s law, shifting the focus from legalism to genuine care for others.

5.“Acts of the flesh” (verses 19-21) refers to behaviors driven by human sinful nature, which lead people away from God’s will. Paul lists these to contrast with the life led by the Spirit, which produces good fruit.

6.“Fruit of the Spirit” (verses 22-23) symbolizes the characteristics that naturally develop in believers who live in step with the Holy Spirit. Unlike the works of the flesh, these qualities reflect God’s transforming presence in a person’s life.

7.“Crucified the flesh” (verse 24) refers to believers identifying with Christ’s death, putting to death their sinful nature and its desires. This ongoing process is a key part of the Christian life, empowered by the Spirit’s guidance.

The F.O.G Commentary:

What is the meaning of Galatians 5?

Introduction to Galatians 5

Galatians 5 stands as a pivotal chapter in Paul’s most passionate epistle, where he presents the revolutionary doctrine of freedom in the Messiah while addressing the perpetual tension between law and grace. This chapter serves as the practical apex of Paul’s argument against the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and observe Torah to be saved. Here, Paul articulates one of the most powerful declarations of spiritual liberty in Scripture while simultaneously providing crucial guidance on how to live out this freedom responsibly.

The significance of this chapter cannot be overstated, as it contains the famous contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, offering believers a practical framework for understanding the outworking of their faith. Paul’s masterful exposition demonstrates how true freedom in the Messiah leads not to lawlessness but to a Spirit-empowered life of love and holiness.

Context of Galatians 5

This chapter falls within the latter portion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, written around 49-50 CE, possibly making it one of his earliest epistles. The immediate context shows Paul transitioning from his theoretical defense of justification by faith (chapters 3-4) to its practical implications for daily living (chapters 5-6). This shift is marked by the emphatic declaration in verse 1, which serves as a hinge point in the letter’s structure.

Within the broader biblical narrative, Galatians 5 addresses the fundamental question of how Gentile believers relate to the Torah and Jewish traditions. This issue was central to the early church’s development, as evidenced by the Jerusalem Council recorded in Acts 15. The chapter’s teachings parallel similar discussions in Romans about the relationship between law and grace, while its ethical instructions complement Paul’s moral teachings in his other epistles.

The historical context reveals a community struggling with competing influences: Paul’s gospel of grace versus the Judaizers’ insistence on Torah observance for salvation. This tension reflects broader conflicts in the early Messianic movement as it expanded beyond its Jewish origins to embrace Gentile believers while maintaining its connection to its Hebrew roots.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • ἐλευθερία (eleutheria) – “freedom” (v.1): This term carried profound significance in Greco-Roman culture, where it denoted not just physical freedom but the status of a free citizen. Paul elevates this concept to spiritual dimensions, connecting it to the freedom purchased by the Messiah’s sacrifice. The word appears four times in Galatians, emphasizing its thematic importance.
  • ζυγῷ δουλείας (zugō douleias) – “yoke of slavery” (v.1): This powerful metaphor combines ζυγός (a wooden yoke for oxen) with δουλεία (slavery). The phrase echoes Peter’s words in Acts 15:10 about the “yoke” of Torah observance, while also drawing on Jeremiah’s prophecy of the new covenant.
  • καταργέω (katargeō) – “severed” (v.4): A favorite term of Paul’s, literally meaning “to render inactive” or “to nullify.” Its use here emphasizes the absolute incompatibility of seeking justification through law-keeping while claiming to follow the Messiah.
  • πίστις δι᾽ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη (pistis di’ agapēs energoumenē) – “faith working through love” (v.6): This profound phrase combines three key theological concepts: faith, love, and effective action. The present middle participle ἐνεργουμένη suggests continuous, dynamic activity.
  • ἐλπίς δικαιοσύνης (elpis dikaiosunēs) – “hope of righteousness” (v.5): A genitive construction that could mean either the hope that belongs to righteousness or the hope for righteousness. The phrase encapsulates both present reality and future expectation in believers’ lives.
  • πνεύματι περιπατεῖτε (pneumati peripateite) – “walk by the Spirit” (v.16): The dative case of πνεύματι suggests both means and sphere – the Spirit as both the power and the environment for Christian living. The present imperative περιπατεῖτε implies continuous action.
  • σάρξ (sarx) – “flesh” (v.13): Used here not merely for physical flesh but for the entire human nature in its fallen state. Paul develops a complex theology around this term, contrasting it with πνεῦμα (Spirit).
  • καρπός (karpos) – “fruit” (v.22): Significantly singular, unlike the plural “works” of the flesh, suggesting the unified, organic nature of Spirit-produced character. The agricultural metaphor emphasizes gradual growth and divine agency.

Compare & Contrast

  • The imperative “Stand firm” (στήκετε) in verse 1 employs the perfect tense root, suggesting not just a one-time action but a continuous state of resistance. This choice over the aorist imperative emphasizes the ongoing nature of spiritual vigilance.
  • Paul’s use of ἐλευθερία (freedom) rather than αὐτονομία (self-law) or ἀναρχία (lawlessness) carefully positions Christian liberty as responsible freedom under the Messiah’s lordship, not license.
  • In verse 4, “fallen from grace” (τῆς χάριτος ἐξεπέσατε) uses the aorist tense, indicating a decisive break, rather than the present tense which would suggest gradual drift. This emphasizes the serious nature of choosing law over grace.
  • The contrast between “works” (plural) of the flesh and “fruit” (singular) of the Spirit deliberately emphasizes the fragmented nature of sin versus the unified character produced by the Spirit.
  • “Walk by the Spirit” (v.16) employs περιπατέω rather than πορεύομαι, drawing on Hebrew idiom (הלך) and emphasizing lifestyle over mere movement.
  • The term “crucified” (ἐσταύρωσαν) in verse 24 uses the aorist tense rather than perfect, pointing to the decisive moment of identification with the Messiah’s death rather than an ongoing process.
  • Paul’s choice of καταδουλόω (to enslave utterly) over the simpler δουλόω in discussing potential bondage emphasizes the complete nature of legalistic enslavement.

Galatians 5 Unique Insights

The chapter’s structure reveals a sophisticated rhetorical strategy common in ancient diatribe. Paul alternates between indicative statements about freedom and imperative commands about its proper use, creating a rhythm that both establishes truth and demands response. This pattern reflects rabbinic teaching methods while incorporating Greek rhetorical devices.

Early rabbinical sources provide fascinating parallels to Paul’s discussion of freedom. The Mishnah tractate Avot declares, “None is free but he who occupies himself with Torah study” (Avot 6:2), presenting an ironic contrast to Paul’s argument. Yet Paul doesn’t reject Torah but reframes it through the lens of the Spirit’s guidance and the Messiah’s fulfillment.

The early church father Chrysostom noted how Paul’s list of the Spirit’s fruit deliberately begins with love and ends with self-control, suggesting these qualities form bookends that define the character of Spirit-led freedom. Augustine developed this insight further, seeing in the nine-fold fruit a reflection of divine perfection.

The concept of “walking by the Spirit” draws on both Hebrew and Greek philosophical traditions. In Hebrew thought, walking (הלך) metaphorically represented lifestyle and moral conduct. Greek philosophers, particularly the Peripatetics, used walking as a metaphor for philosophical progression. Paul synthesizes these traditions while infusing them with new meaning through the Spirit’s agency.

The chapter’s emphasis on freedom carries particular weight given the historical context of Roman imperial ideology. Paul’s readers lived in a world where true freedom was increasingly restricted despite Roman propaganda about liberty. His message of spiritual freedom thus carried both religious and subtle political implications.

Galatians 5 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah’s central role in this chapter cannot be overstated. The freedom Paul proclaims is explicitly “the freedom for which Christ has set us free” (v.1), grounding all Christian liberty in the person and work of Yeshua. This connects to His declaration in John 8:36 that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

The emphasis on walking by the Spirit reflects Yeshua’s promise of the Helper in John 14-16. The fruit of the Spirit described here characterizes the very nature of Yeshua Himself, suggesting that Spirit-led living progressively conforms believers to His image. This transformation fulfills His high priestly prayer in John 17.

Moreover, the chapter’s emphasis on love as the fulfillment of Torah echoes Yeshua’s own teaching about the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). The crucifixion of the flesh (v.24) connects directly to His call for disciples to take up their cross and follow Him.

Galatians 5 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates deeply with numerous Old Testament themes and prophecies. The concept of freedom echoes the Exodus narrative, where God liberated His people from physical bondage. The prophetic promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34 finds expression in Paul’s emphasis on the Spirit’s internal guidance.

The fruit of the Spirit reflects qualities celebrated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in wisdom literature. Love, joy, and peace echo the messianic kingdom described in Isaiah 11:1-9. The concept of walking by the Spirit develops Ezekiel 36:27‘s promise that God would put His Spirit within His people, causing them to walk in His statutes.

The warning about the works of the flesh recalls various Torah prohibitions while transforming their application through the lens of Spirit-led living. The emphasis on love fulfilling Torah connects to Leviticus 19:18‘s command to love one’s neighbor, which both Yeshua and Paul identify as Torah’s essence.

Galatians 5 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our understanding and practice of spiritual freedom. Are we using our liberty in the Messiah as an opportunity to serve one another in love, or have we allowed it to become an excuse for self-indulgence? The call to “walk by the Spirit” invites us to moment-by-moment dependence on His guidance rather than either rigid rule-following or careless license.

The list of the Spirit’s fruit provides a mirror for self-examination. Rather than seeing these qualities as a checklist for performance, we should view them as evidence of the Spirit’s transforming work in our lives. Which aspects of the fruit do we see growing? Where do we need to more consciously cooperate with the Spirit’s work?

Paul’s emphasis on community throughout the chapter reminds us that spiritual growth happens in relationship. How are we using our freedom to build up others? The warning about biting and devouring one another remains relevant for today’s church, challenging us to guard unity while standing firm for truth.

Did You Know

  • The word “freedom” (ἐλευθερία) appears more frequently in Galatians than in any other New Testament book, highlighting its thematic importance for Paul’s argument.
  • The metaphor of “falling from grace” in verse 4 employs a nautical term (ἐκπίπτω) used for ships driven off course, suggesting not just failure but dangerous deviation.
  • The list of the works of the flesh contains fifteen items in Greek, a number associated with completion in ancient Jewish numerology, possibly suggesting a comprehensive catalog of human fallenness.
  • The fruit of the Spirit in Greek forms a three-fold structure of three virtues each, possibly reflecting early Christian trinitarian thinking.
  • The phrase “bite and devour” in verse 15 uses terms commonly associated with wild animals, drawing on imagery from gladiatorial contests familiar to Paul’s Galatian audience.
  • The command to “walk by the Spirit” reflects the Hebrew concept of halakhah (הלכה), the Jewish way of applying Torah to daily life.
  • Archaeological evidence from first-century Galatia shows significant Jewish populations and synagogue communities, providing context for the Judaizers’ influence.
  • The term “flesh” (σάρξ) appears 18 times in Galatians, more than in any other Pauline letter of similar length.
  • The concept of “crucifying the flesh” would have been particularly vivid to the Galatians, as crucifixion was practiced in the region by Roman authorities.
  • The warning about “not inheriting the kingdom” uses legal terminology from Greco-Roman inheritance law, making it especially meaningful to Paul’s audience.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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