Galatians Chapter 5
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
“Free”: Deliverance from the curse that the law pronounces on the sinner who has been striving unsuccessfully to achieve his own righteousness (3:13, 22-26; 4:1-7), but who has now embraced Christ and the salvation granted to him by grace (see notes on 2:4; 4:26; Rom. 7:3; 8:2).
“Stand fast therefore”: Stay where you are, Paul asserts, because of the benefit of being free from the law and the flesh as a way of salvation and the fullness of blessing by grace.
The verse could be rendered: “For freedom Christ freed us. Therefore, stand fast and do not again be subject to a yoke of bondage.” The “freedom” in view is freedom from the law, here called “a yoke of bondage.” Paul wants the Galatians to “stand fast,” that is, retain their spiritual freedom.
“Yoke of bondage”: “Yoke” refers to the apparatus used to control a domesticated animal. The Jews thought of the “yoke of the law” as a good thing, the essence of true religion. Paul argued that for those who pursued it as a way of salvation, the law was a yoke of slavery (see note on Matt. 11:28-30).
We are to stand up for God and continually stand in the salvation the Lord provided for us. We are no longer under the bondage of the law; we are free to serve the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
A person who had just been set free, would never choose to go back into bondage, if they were thinking clearly.
Galatians 5:2 “Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.”
“If ye be circumcised”: Circumcision was the external ritual symbolizing acceptance of the law (verse 3). In such a case, one depended on legal works rather than on God’s grace as the means of salvation. “Christ,” then, “shall profit you nothing.”
Paul had no objection to circumcision itself (Acts 16:1-3; Phil. 3:5). But he objected to the notion that it had some spiritual benefit or merit with God and was a prerequisite or necessary component of salvation.
Circumcision had meaning in Israel when it was a physical symbol of a cleansed heart (Deut. 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 9:24-26), and served as a reminder of God’s covenant of salvation promise (Gen. 17:9-10).
“Christ shall profit you nothing”: The atoning sacrifice of Christ cannot benefit anyone who trusts in law and ceremony for salvation.
It appears that these Galatians believed if they were circumcised, that would somehow put them in better standing with the Lord. It is as if they believe this to be like baptism. Circumcision and sacrifices are almost as if they are saying that the shed blood of Jesus is not enough.
Hebrews 9:12-14 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].” “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:” “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
You can see that there was nothing left for us to do, Jesus did it all for us.
Galatians 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.”
“He is a debtor to do the whole law”: God’s standard is perfect righteousness, thus a failure to keep only one part of the law falls short of the standard (see note on 3:10).
Circumcising is a recognition of the law. To recognize the law in this manner would be to deny the power of grace in Jesus Christ. If you go back to the law to make you perfect in the sight of the law, then you are under the covenant of the law, and not under the covenant of grace.
Galatians 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
“Christ is become no effect … fallen from grace”: The Greek word for “severed” (no effect), means “to be separated”, or “to be estranged.” The word for “fallen” means “to lose one’s grasp on something.” Paul’s clear meaning is that any attempt to be justified by the law is to reject salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Those once exposed to the gracious truth of the gospel, who then turn their backs on Christ (Heb. 6:4-6) and seek to be justified by the law are separated from Christ and lose all prospects of God’s gracious salvation. Their desertion of Christ and the gospel only proves that their faith was never genuine (Luke 8:13-14; 1 John 2:19).
“Justified” (see notes on 2:16; Rom. 3:24).
This verse could be translated: “You will be severed from Christ, if you try to be justified by law; you will forfeit the favor in God’s eyes which Christ won for you.” This does not teach the loss of salvation which one earlier possessed.
Rather it means that if the readers truly renounce grace through faith alone as the way of salvation, if they depend on legalism to secure divine favor, then they show that they never really knew God’s grace in the first place.
You have decided to look for salvation in another, if you go back to the law. Grace is a freeing of yourself, but a freeing from the law, as well. Wherever you put your trust, is what you are depending on to save you. This would be turning away from Christ as your Justifier, and looking to the law for justification.
Galatians 5:5 “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
“Though the Spirit … hope of righteousness”: means that by the Holy Spirit’s help, which is obtained “by faith,” believers “wait for the hope of righteousness,” that is, live the Christian life awaiting the consummation of their salvation.
Christians already possess the imputed righteousness of Christ, but they still await the completed and perfected righteousness that is yet to come at glorification (Rom. 8:18, 21).
Christians are not like the rest of the world who have no hope. We have hope of the resurrection. Our hope is in Christ Jesus. He is our blessed Hope. Our righteousness is His righteousness that He clothed us in.
Colossians 1:27 “To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
Galatians 5:6 “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
“For” justifies the importance given faith in verse 5. In Christianity one does not profit spiritually either by being circumcised or uncircumcised. “Faith which worketh by love” means “faith that is produced by love.” Faith is a man’s response to God who loves him, and this divine love that produces faith results in his justification.
“Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision” (6:15). Nothing done or not done in the flesh, even religious ceremony, makes any difference in one’s relationship to God. What is external is immaterial and worthless, unless it reflects genuine internal righteousness (Rom. 2:25-29).
Circumcision is of the flesh. This then, makes no difference either way, because Christianity is of the spirit. Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ.
“Faith which worketh by love”: Saving faith proves its genuine character by works of love. The person who lives by faith is internally motivated by love for God and Christ (Matt. 22:37-40), which supernaturally issues forth in reverent worship, genuine obedience, and self-sacrificing love for others.
Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:” “But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.”
We see in all this that Christianity has very little to do with the flesh. The only thing it does have to do with it is that we must cut away the flesh that the spirit might live. For us to be in a position that we desire to be with Christ, we must crucify our flesh and live in the spirit.
Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”
“Ye did run well” shows that the Galatians were making good progress spiritually. But the Judaizers “did hinder” them with a false gospel, so that now the readers do “not obey the truth.”
Paul compares the Galatians’ life of faith with a race, a figure he used frequently (2:2; Rom. 9:16; 1 Cor. 9:24). They had a good beginning, they had received the gospel message by faith and had begun to live their Christian lives by faith as well.
“Obey the truth” (see note on 1 Pet. 1:22). A reference to believers’ true way of living, including both their response to the true gospel in salvation (Acts 6:7; Rom. 2:8; 6:17; 2 Thess. 1:8), and their consequent response to obey the Word of God in sanctification.
Paul wrote more about salvation and sanctification being a matter of obedience (in Rom. 1:5; 6:16-17; 16:26). The legalistic influence of the Judaizers prevented the unsaved from responding in faith to the gospel of grace and true believers from living by faith.
Paul is telling them that they started out correctly. They were running the race of life well. Now they have listened to those who would come in and destroy. We must apply the blood of Jesus to our ear, so only things of God will be heard in our inner mind. We should not listen to others, and let them sway us. We should be thoroughly convinced, and never waver in our belief.
Galatians 5:8 “This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you.”
“This persuasion”: Salvation by works. God does not promote legalism. Any doctrine that claims His gracious work is insufficient to save is false (see notes on 1:6-7). This refers to the pressure tactics the heretics used to persuade the Galatians to embrace legalism.
They have listened to another doctrine other than what Paul had brought. The Lord God of heaven called you, stay with Him. God did not send the message to get back under the bondage of the law.
Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
“A little leaven” (false doctrine), “leaveneth” (permeates, corrupts), “the whole lump” (church). A common axiomatic saying (1 Cor. 5:6), regarding the influence of yeast in dough. Leaven is often used in Scripture to denote sin (Matt. 16:6, 12).
This is the same thing as saying; one rotten apple will ruin the whole barrel, if it is not removed. Leaven is sin. It is a sin to doubt the message of grace. Anything that displeases God is sin. Faith is the only thing that pleases God. It seems that some of these people in the church were listening to the Judaizers.
Galatians 5:10 “I 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.”
“Confidence in you”: Paul expresses encouraging assurance that the Lord will be faithful to keep His own from falling into gross heresy (see John 6:39-40; 10:28-29; Rom. 8:31-39; Phil. 1:6-7). They will persevere and be preserved (Jude 24).
“Judgment”: All false teachers will incur strict and devastating eternal condemnation (see notes on 2 Pet. 2:2-3, 9).
Paul believes that the Galatians will retain the true gospel and not be completely persuaded by the heretics.
It is a very dangerous thing to teach anything but the pure gospel message. Paul says; I know you will consider this and make the right decision. He knows, if they have time to consider what he is telling them, they will not accept going back into the law. Grace is too good to trade it for law.
Galatians 5:11 “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.”
“If I yet preach circumcision”: Apparently the Judaizers had falsely claimed that Paul agreed with their teaching. But he makes the point that if he was preaching circumcision as necessary for salvation, why were the Judaizers persecuting him instead of supporting him?
Paul is evidently refuting the accusation that he “yet” (still), preaches a gospel of circumcision, as formerly in Judaism. But, he counters, the very fact that I do “yet suffer persecution” proves that is not the case. For Judaizers would commend, not persecute, him for preaching their gospel.
“Offence” (stumbling block). The Greek word for “stumbling block” can mean “trap”, “snare,” or “offense.” Any offer of salvation that strips man of the opportunity to earn it by his own merit breeds opposition (Rom. 9:33).
One of the reasons they had difficulty with what Paul was saying, is the fact that he circumcised Timothy to appease the Jews. Paul had not circumcised Timothy, so that Timothy would be in better standing with God. He had done it, because the group of people Timothy would be ministering to were Jews, and they would not have let Timothy preach.
Acts 16:3 “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.”
Paul did not believe in circumcising Christians. Paul’s major persecution had come from the Jews. They even followed Paul from town to town and caused people to rise up against him, because he taught that Jesus Christ was the Jewish Messiah.
Paul suffered with Christ. Paul counted it as gain to be persecuted bringing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The teaching of the cross was an offense to the Jews.
Galatians 5:12 “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”
The Greek word used here is “Mutilate”, and was often used of castration, such as in the cult of Cybele, whose priests were self-made eunuchs. Paul’s ironic point is that since the Judaizers were so insistent on circumcision as a means of pleasing God, they should go to the extreme of religious devotion and mutilate themselves.
The verse may mean, “I wish those troubling you would have themselves castrated.”
Paul was aware that those who were trying to put them back under the law, were there to destroy their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The best thing would be for these Judaizers to get out of the church, but it was highly unlikely that would happen.
Galatians 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
“Liberty” (see note on 2:4).
“For an occasion to the flesh”: The Greek word for “occasion” (or opportunity), was often used to refer to a central base of military operations (Rom. 7:8). In the context, “flesh” refers to the sinful inclinations of fallen man (see note on Rom 7:5). The freedom Christians have is not a base from which they can sin freely and without consequence.
“Serve one another”: Christian freedom is not for selfish fulfillment, but for serving others (Rom. 14:1-15).
Having shown freedom from the law to be proper protection against legalism (verses 1-12), Paul now demonstrates it to be a proper antidote against unrestrained license to sin (verses 13-26).
Believers are not to abuse their “liberty” from the law “for an occasion” (opportunity), “to the flesh” (sinful nature). That is, don’t think freedom from the law means you can indulge in sin; it means instead that you are free to serve God by serving “one another.”
Our salvation is a free gift from God. He washed our sins away. When we become a Christian, we no longer serve sin.
Romans 6:18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
What this is really saying is that our flesh controlled our will until we became Christians. Now our spirit (filled with Jesus), controls our will. If we are true Christians, it is Jesus in us who controls our will. We are no longer flesh, we are spirit. Just because we are forgiven, does not give us a license to sin.
Romans 6:19-22 “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.” “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
You see, we have been set free to live in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
“All the law”: The ethics of the former Old Testament law are the same as those of the New Testament gospel as indicated in the quote from (Lev. 19:18; see notes on Rom. 7:12; 8:4; James 2:8-10).
When a Christian genuinely loves others, he fulfills all the moral requirements of the former Mosaic Law concerning them (Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 6:5; Rom. 13:8-10). This is the ruling principle of Christian freedom (verses 6, 13).
“Fulfilled” means “obeyed.” “In one word” means, “one statement”.
Notice in the following verses, that love is the basis for Christianity.
Mark 12:30-31 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.” “And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
We know the key word is love. Love does away with things not of God.
1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Galatians 5:15 ” But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
“Bite and devour one another”: The imagery is of wild animals savagely attacking and killing each other, a graphic picture of what happens in the spiritual realm when believers do not love and serve each other.
James 3:14-16 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.” “For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.”
We find in the Scriptures here from James and from the Scripture in Galatians above that trying to destroy others comes home to us and many times we are destroyed in the process. Fussing and fighting have no place in the church. Look, with me, in the next Scriptures how it should be.
James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.
Galatians 5:16 “[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
“Walk in the Spirit”: All believers have the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Rom. 8-9: 1 Cor. 6:19-20), as the personal power for living to please God. The form of the Greek verb translated “walk” indicates continuous action, or a habitual lifestyle.
Walking also implies progress; as a believer submits to the Spirit’s control, that is, responds in obedience to the simple commands of Scripture, he grows in his spiritual life (see notes on Rom. 8:13; Eph. 5:18; Col. 3:16).
“Walk in the Spirit” (i.e., “live by the Spirit”): Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help. How does one “live by the Spirit”?
(1) The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into his heart (4:6).
(2) In every spiritual confrontation the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit.
(3) One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (verse 5)
(4) The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life. The believer who “lives by the Spirit” will “not fulfill” (accomplish, carry out), “the lust” (strong desires), “of the flesh” (sinful nature).
“The flesh”: This is not simply the physical body, but includes the mind, will, and emotions which are all subject to sin. It refers in general to our unredeemed humanness (see notes on Rom. 7:5; 8:23; see verse 13 of Galatians 5).
The lust of the flesh of man is what brings trouble and strife. When we walk in the Spirit of God, we have no lust of the flesh and have no desire to do wrong to anyone. When we make Jesus Lord of our life, He makes our decisions for us.
Galatians 5:17 “For 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.”
“Contrary the one to the other”: The flesh opposes the work of the Spirit and leads the believer toward sinful behavior he would not otherwise be compelled to do (see notes on Rom. 7:14-25).
One’s sinful human nature (“flesh”), and the Holy Spirit “lusteth against” one another. That is, they have desires and yearnings that are contrary to one another. The Christian then, is a battlefield, having desires to do good and evil. The outcome is the “ye cannot do the things that ye would”: The flesh seeks to thwart the Spirit who, in turn, attempts to frustrate the flesh’s evil desires.
The flesh is of the earth. It is then earthy. The flesh and spirit have been in mortal combat to control the will of man. The lust of the flesh has destroyed many a person. We must bury our flesh that our spirit might take control. The Spirit of God within us is the only thing that can overcome the flesh of man.
The flesh centers on the wants of man. The Spirit centers on the will of God. That which is born of flesh, is flesh, until the Spirit of God gives us new life in Him. Jesus spoke to the temptations the devil set before Him by saying, it is written. This is the only way that any of us can overcome the lust of our flesh. We must give our will over to the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:18 “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
(Verse 17), may leave the impression of a believer being caught in a hopeless tug-of-war between the flesh and the Spirit. This is not the case. The Christian is “led of” (by), “the Spirit.” When yielding to Him, to turn away from the fleshes’ evil yearnings, thus putting sin out of his daily life.
“Led of the Spirit … not under the law”: Take your choice; these are mutually exclusive. Either you live by the power of the Holy Spirit which results in righteous behavior and spiritual attitudes (verse 22-29), or by the law which can only produce unrighteous behavior and attitudes (verses 19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).
The verb “led” indicates voluntary submission. The believer decides by whom he will be led, either by his flesh or by the Spirit. The Spirit-led person is “not under the law.” The Christian does not need the restraints of the law because his moral life is governed by the Spirit.
Jesus was free from sin. If we are full of Him, we are full of His righteousness. There is no law against righteousness. When we are led by the Spirit of God, we are walking in righteousness.
Verses 19-23: By contrasting “the works of the flesh” (verses 19-21), with “the fruit of the Spirit” (verses 22-23), the believer can know whether he is walking by the Spirit or being controlled by the flesh. “Uncleanness” is sexual impurity. “Lasciviousness” is sexual excess.
In verses 19-21, these sins characterize all unredeemed mankind living under the impotent commands of the law which produces only iniquity though not every person manifests all these sins nor exhibits them to the same degree.
Paul’s list, which is not exhaustive, encompasses 3 areas of human life; sex, religion, and human relationships. For other such lists (see Rom. 1:24-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).
Galatians 5:19 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
“Manifest”: The flesh manifests itself in obvious and certain ways.
“Adultery” or “immorality”, the Greek word is porneia, from which the English word “pornography” comes. It refers to all illicit sexual activity, including (but not limited to), adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and prostitution.
“Lasciviousness” or “sensuality”. The word originally referred to any excessive behavior or lack of restraint, but eventually became associated with sexual excess and indulgence.
When the man is walking in the lust of the flesh, he does whatever feels good to him, right or wrong. It seems that this adultery here, is also covering homosexual acts. There are two kinds of adultery. Spiritual adultery is when you follow and give allegiance to false gods. Physical adultery is having sexual relations with anyone you are not married to.
This includes having sexual relations man with another man, and also, women with other women. “Fornication”, in the verse above, is speaking of sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. Uncleanness, here, means impurity, physical or moral. Lasciviousness covers many acts including wantonness and any filthy act. We would call it perversion.
Galatians 5:20 “Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,”
“Witchcraft” or “sorcery”. The Greek word pharmakeia, from which the English word “pharmacy” comes, originally referred to medicines in general, but eventually only to mood and mind-altering drugs, as well as the occult, witchcraft, and magic. Many pagan religious practices required the use of these drugs to aid in the communication with deities.
“Strife … heresies”: Many of these sins manifested in the area of human relationships have to do with some form of anger: “Hatred” results in “strife”. “Jealousy” (hateful resentment), results in “outbursts of anger” (sudden, unrestrained expressions of hostility). The next 4 represent animosity between individuals and groups.
“Idolatry” is not just the worship of a graven image, but putting one’s chief affections on any object or person instead of on God.
“Witchcraft” is sorcery, which is tampering with the powers of evil. This would include dabbling in the occult. “Variance” is strife or discord. “Emulations” means “jealousy.” “Strife” is selfish ambition. “Seditions” are dissension. “Heresies” are permanent, organized division or cliques.
Paul is going on with many of the things so prevalent in our society today. He says they are all works of the flesh. Idolatry is image-worship. “Witchcraft”, in this special instance, means drugs, magic and sorcery.
We all know what hatred is. Variance is wrangling and quarreling. It also includes debate. Emulations means jealousy, malice, indignation, and zeal. We know what wrath and strife mean. Seditions means divisions. “Heresies” means disunion and sect (meaning a group that has separated from an established church), which could be a cult, denomination, or a religious order.
Galatians 5:21 “Envyings, 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.”
“Drunkenness, revellings”: Probably a specific reference to the orgies that characterized pagan, idolatrous worship. Generally, it refers to all rowdy, boisterous, and crude behavior.
“Revellings” means excessive eating, or gluttony, as well as carousing. “Do” (practice): The person whose life is habitually characterized by the sins and vices of (verses 19-21), “shall not” inherit the kingdom of God.” That is, he will not be in heaven because he is not a Christian.
“Do such things (or “practice” such things)”: Here is the key word in Paul’s warnings. The sense of the Greek verb describes continual, habitual action. Although believers undoubtedly can commit these sins, those people whose basic character is summed up in the uninterrupted and unrepentant practice of them cannot belong to God (see notes on 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 John 3:4-10).
“Shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (see note on Matt. 5:3). The unregenerate are barred from entering the spiritual kingdom of redeemed people over whom Christ now rules, and they will be excluded from His millennial kingdom and the eternal state of blessing that follows it (see note on Eph. 5:5).
What this is really saying is that to continue to do these things would cause you to be a flesh man. Flesh does not inherit the kingdom of God. When you receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Lord, this is that old flesh that must be buried. You rise a new person in Christ. The Christian has given his will over to the Spirit of God.
These things may have been in his past, but must not be in his future. I do not mean by this that you never, ever sin again. I mean that this is not your way of life anymore. You become a new creature in Christ. If you do unwillingly sin, ask for forgiveness. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He intercedes with the Father for us.
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
“Fruit of the Spirit”: Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of only those who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess the Spirit of God. The Spirit produces fruit which consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes that are inextricably linked with each and are commanded of believers throughout the New Testament.
(1) “Love”: One of several Greek words for love, agape, is the love of choice. Referring not to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond, but to respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16-17).
(2) “Joy”: A happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well-being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord (1 Peter 1:8). Joy is not the result of favorable circumstances, and even occurs when those circumstances are the most painful and severe (John 16:20-22). Joy is a gift from God, and as such, believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in the blessing they already possess (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 4:4).
(3) “Peace”: the inner calm that results from confidence in one’s saving relationship with Christ. The verb form denotes binding together and is reflected in the expression “having it all together.” Like joy, peace is not related to one’s circumstances (John 14:27; Rom. 8:28; Phil. 4:6-7, 9).
(4) “Patience”: The ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the willingness to accept irritating or painful situations (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:15-16).
(5) “Kindness”: Tender concern for others, reflected in a desire to treat others gently, just as the Lord treats all believers (Matt. 11:28-29; 19:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:24).
(6) “Goodness”: Moral and spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness (Rom 5:7). Believers are commanded to exemplify goodness (6:10; 2 Thess. 1:11).
(7) “Faithfulness”: Loyalty and trust-worthiness (Lam. 3:22; Phil. 2:7-9; 1 Thess. 5:24; Rev. 2:10).
(8) “Meekness”: A humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive in every offense, which having no desire for revenge or retribution. In the New Testament, it is use to describe 3 attitudes: submission to the will of God (Col. 3:12), Teachability (James 1:21), and consideration of others (Eph. 4:2).
(9) “Temperance” or self control. This refers to restraining passions and appetites (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Peter 1:5-6).
The word “fruit” is significant for three reasons.
(1) It means the result, product, outcome, or effect produced by the Spirit in the believer’s life.
(2) Unlike “the gifts of the Spirit” (plural), only some of which are given to a Christian. Each believer is to have all nine virtues composing “the fruit of the Spirit (singular).
(3) As fruit on a tree takes time to grow and mature, so the Spirit does not cultivate these virtues in the believer’s life overnight.
“Fruit of the Spirit”: In contrast to the works (plural), of the flesh, which any individual is capable of performing. The fruit (singular), of the Holy Spirit can be produced only by God. Christian character thus results for “Christ living in me” (2:20). For this fruit to develop, all nine aspects of the fruit of the spirit must mature.
The character of Christ is the fullest manifestation of this fruit in the New Testament. Though Jesus did not recognize the traditions of men, His enemies were unable to prove any charge against Him. So today, Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to develop this character within them, so they might be blameless before others and not hinder the testimony of Christ. (Exodus 35:31; 36:2; Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:6).
Notice the drastic difference in the fruit of the Spirit and the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is all good. These are the type things that all Christians should have in their life. These seven are examples of all the rest. Everything good in your life is from the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit of God brings these things into the life of the Christian.
I have found that as we walk with the Spirit in control, these grow every day, until one day we look around and they are all active in our life. Be filled right now, with the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:23 “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
“Meekness” is gentleness, that is, courtesy and consideration in one’s relations with others.
A humble and gentle attitude that is patiently submissive in every offense, while having no desire for revenge or retribution. In the New Testament, it is used to describe 3 attitudes: submission to the will of God (Col 3:12), teachability (James 1:21), and consideration of others (Eph. 4:2).
“Temperance” or self control: The ability to harness and control one’s passions and lusts. This refers to restraining passions and appetites (1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Pet. 1:5-6).
“No law”: When a Christian walks by the Spirit and manifests His fruit, he needs no external law to produce the attitudes and behavior that please God (Rom. 8:4). As we said earlier, there is no law against all of these good things. We would not even need a police force, if these were active in everyone’s lives.
Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
“Have crucified the flesh”: One of 4 uses of “crucified” that does not refer to Christ’s crucifixion (2:20; 6:14; Rom. 6:6). Here Paul states that the flesh has been executed, yet the spiritual battle still rages in the believer (see notes on Rom. 7:14-25).
Paul’s use looks back to the cross of Christ, where the death of the flesh and its power to reign over believers was actually accomplished (Rom. 6:1-11). Christians must wait until their glorification before they are finally rid of their unredeemed humanness (Rom. 8:23), yet by walking in the Spirit they can please God in this world.
At conversion every believer “crucified the flesh,” that is, in repentance he turned from and renounced his life of sin and all its wicked passions. This verse then, implies that the virtues of (verses 22-23), rather than the vices of (verses 19-21), should characterize them “that are Christ’s.”
Notice who does the crucifying. We must crucify our own flesh. We must get in obedience to the Spirit of God. God will not invade the will of man. Operating in our own free will, we must decide to give the Spirit of God control of our will. The Spirit does not lust, that is the flesh.
If we truly are Christ’s, then we have turned everything over to Him. A man cannot have two masters, either the flesh will rule, or the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
“Walk in the Spirit” (see note on verse 16).
This verse means “Since we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.” That is, since the Spirit gave us new life at conversion, we then should stay in step with His leading and promptings throughout life.
What is meant by walking in the Spirit? It means that all of the gifts of the Spirit will be evident in our life. We will no longer have a desire to sin. We will walk in the newness of life that Christ gave us. Our walk should be such that the world around can look at us and see Jesus in us.
Galatians 5:26 “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
To God be the glory for all things. The glory spoken of above, is speaking of one person glorying over another. What we are, what we do, and even what we will become, is because the Lord blessed us. We should not build our self up over others.
One of the problems in our society today is that everyone wants what everyone else has, even if they have not worked to get it. Be satisfied with what you have. If you desire more, work for it. Envy of others will not help you. Work hard; ask God to help you better yourself, and then be happy with what you have, whatever it is.