Overview
The Freedom We Have (Verses 1-6):
Paul starts off by emphatically stating that Christ has set us free. He warns against going back to the yoke of slavery, which in the context is the law and rituals. While rituals and laws aren’t inherently bad, relying on them for salvation negates the grace that comes through faith in Christ. Paul says, in essence, "If you’re going to rely on the law, you're obligated to keep the whole thing, and we already know that's impossible."
The Call to Spiritual Maturity (Verses 7-15):
Paul shifts his attention to urge the Galatians to walk in love and freedom responsibly. He's saying that freedom shouldn’t lead to indulgence but should instead be directed by love. This section really encapsulates the idea that freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. Freedom isn't a license to do whatever we want, but the liberty to do what we ought.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh (Verses 16-26):
In the closing verses, Paul draws a sharp contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. This is where those famous lists come in—adultery, idolatry, and so on, versus love, joy, peace, and the rest. It's more than just a list of dos and don'ts; it's a roadmap for spiritual growth. Paul makes it clear that living by the Spirit negates the desires of the flesh, leading us to a life that is both liberating and disciplined.
Galatians 5 is an instructional manual on how to live freely in Christ without using that freedom as a cloak for malice. It challenges us to walk by the Spirit and shows us the practical implications of what that looks like: a life bearing the beautiful fruit of the Spirit.
Paul starts off by emphatically stating that Christ has set us free. He warns against going back to the yoke of slavery, which in the context is the law and rituals. While rituals and laws aren’t inherently bad, relying on them for salvation negates the grace that comes through faith in Christ. Paul says, in essence, "If you’re going to rely on the law, you're obligated to keep the whole thing, and we already know that's impossible."
The Call to Spiritual Maturity (Verses 7-15):
Paul shifts his attention to urge the Galatians to walk in love and freedom responsibly. He's saying that freedom shouldn’t lead to indulgence but should instead be directed by love. This section really encapsulates the idea that freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin. Freedom isn't a license to do whatever we want, but the liberty to do what we ought.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh (Verses 16-26):
In the closing verses, Paul draws a sharp contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. This is where those famous lists come in—adultery, idolatry, and so on, versus love, joy, peace, and the rest. It's more than just a list of dos and don'ts; it's a roadmap for spiritual growth. Paul makes it clear that living by the Spirit negates the desires of the flesh, leading us to a life that is both liberating and disciplined.
Galatians 5 is an instructional manual on how to live freely in Christ without using that freedom as a cloak for malice. It challenges us to walk by the Spirit and shows us the practical implications of what that looks like: a life bearing the beautiful fruit of the Spirit.
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.
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 Christ's 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.
End of Galatians 5
1 Year Plan: Aug 23 - Pro 22, Pro 23, Gal 5 [next day]
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 Christ's 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.
End of Galatians 5
1 Year Plan: Aug 23 - Pro 22, Pro 23, Gal 5 [next day]
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