Galatians 5 KJV
Freedom in Christ
Galatians Chapter 5: Freedom in Christ
This chapter explores themes of Peace, Holy Spirit. The singular form of "fruit" (not "fruits") of the Spirit in verse 22 emphasizes a unified character produced by one source rather than a mere list of separate virtues.
1tand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
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.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
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.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
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.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
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.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christโs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Did You Know?
The singular form of "fruit" (not "fruits") of the Spirit in verse 22 emphasizes a unified character produced by one source rather than a mere list of separate virtues.
Paul's shocking statement in verse 12 wishing that those advocating circumcision "were even cut off" employs deliberate rhetorical hyperbole possibly alluding to castration, underscoring the ferocity of the early church's conflict with Judaizers.
The proverb "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" in verse 9 reuses imagery also found in 1 Corinthians 5:6, portraying false doctrine as an infectious agent that spreads through the community like yeast in dough.
Verse 14's quotation of Leviticus 19:18 as the fulfillment of the entire law links Paul's liberty-in-Christ theology both to Mosaic ethics and to Jesus' summation of the commandments in the Gospels.
The dual verbs translated "walk" in verses 16 and 25 render distinct Greek terms (peripateo and stoicheo), the latter evoking the image of soldiers marching in formation to convey precise alignment with the Spirit's leading.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain The oldest manuscripts read, "in liberty (so ALFORD, MOBERLEY, HUMPHRY, and ELLICOTT. But as there is no Greek for 'in,' as there is in translating in 1Co 16:13; Php 1:27; 4:1, I pโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Galatians 5 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Peroration. Exhortation to stand fast in the gospel liberty, just set forth, and not to be led by judaizers into circumcision, or law justification: yet though free, to serve one another by love: to walk in the spirit, bearing the fruit thereof, not in the works of the flesh.
- 1
- The oldest manuscripts read, "in liberty (so ALFORD, MOBERLEY, HUMPHRY, and ELLICOTT. But as there is no Greek for 'in,' as there is in translating in 1Co 16:13; Php 1:27; 4:1, I prefer 'It is FOR freedom that') Christ hath made us free (not in, or for, a state of bondage). Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (namely, the law, Ga 4:24; Ac 15:10). On "again," see on Ga 4:9.
- 2
- Behold โ that is, Mark what I say. I Paul โ Though you now think less of my authority, I nevertheless give my name and personal authority as enough by itself to refute all opposition of adversaries. if ye be circumcised โ not as ALFORD, "If you will go on being circumcised." Rather, "If ye suffer yourselves to be circumcised," namely, under the notion of its being necessary to justification (Ga 5:4; Ac 15:1). Circumcision here is not regarded simply by itself (for, viewed as a mere national rite, it was practiced for conciliation's sake by Paul himself, Ac 16:3), but as the symbol of Judaism and legalism in general. If this be necessary, then the Gospel of grace is at an end. If the latter be the way of justification, then Judaism is in no way so. Christ... profit... nothing โ (Ga 2:21). For righteousness of works and justification by faith cannot co-exist. "He who is circumcised [for justification] is so as fearing the law, and he who fears, disbelieves the power of grace, and he who disbelieves can profit nothing by that grace which he disbelieves [CHRYSOSTOM].
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