Galatians 5
Galatians 5 is part of “Paul's Gospel Applied” (5–6) in the outline of Galatians.
Galatians 5 summary
In this chapter the apostle comes to make application of his foregoing discourse. He begins it with a general caution, or exhortation (Gal 5:1), which he afterwards enforces by several considerations (Gal 5:2-12). He then presses them to serious practical godliness, which would be the best antidote against the snares of their false teachers; particularly, I. That they should not strive with one another (Gal 5:13-15).
Read the full introduction
In this chapter the apostle comes to make application of his foregoing discourse. He begins it with a general caution, or exhortation (Gal 5:1), which he afterwards enforces by several considerations (Gal 5:2-12). He then presses them to serious practical godliness, which would be the best antidote against the snares of their false teachers; particularly, I. That they should not strive with one another (Gal 5:13-15). II. That they would strive against sin, where he shows, 1. That there is in every one a struggle between flesh and spirit (Gal 5:17). 2. That it is our duty and interest, in this struggle, to side with the better part (Gal 5:16, Gal 5:18). 3. He specifies the works of the flesh, which must be watched against and mortified, and the fruits of the Spirit, which must be brought forth and cherished, and shows of what importance it is that they be so (Gal 5:19-24). And then concludes the chapter with a caution against pride and envy.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Galatians 5
Galatians 5 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Christ Has Set Us Free
1Stand fast therefore in the libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free, and be not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage. 2Beholde, I Paul say vnto you, that if yee be circumcised, Christ shall profite you nothing. 3For I testifie againe to euery man, which is circumcised, that he is bound to keepe the whole Lawe. 4Ye are abolished from Christ: whosoeuer are iustified by the Law, ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit waite for the hope of righteousnes through faith. 6For in Iesus Christ neither circumcision auaileth any thing, neither vncircumcision, but faith which worketh by loue. 7Ye did runne well: who did let you, that ye did not obey the trueth? 8It is not the perswasion of him that calleth you. 9A litle leauen doeth leauen the whole lumpe. 10I haue trust in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but hee that troubleth you, shall beare his condemnation, whosoeuer he be. 11And brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why doe I yet suffer persecution? Then is the slaunder of the crosse abolished. 12Would to God they were euen cut off, which doe disquiet you.
Freedom in Christ
13For brethren, ye haue bene called vnto libertie: onely vse not your libertie as an occasion vnto the flesh, but by loue serue one another. 14For all the Lawe is fulfilled in one worde, which is this, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe. 15If ye bite and deuoure one another, take heede least ye be consumed one of another.
Walking by the Spirit
16Then I say, Walke in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lustes of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to another, so that ye can not doe the same things that ye would. 18And if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not vnder the Lawe. 19Moreouer the workes of the flesh are manifest, which are adulterie, fornication, vncleannes, wantonnes, 20Idolatrie, witchcraft, hatred, debate, emulations, wrath, contentions, seditions, heresies, 21Enuie, murthers, drunkennesse, gluttonie, and such like, whereof I tell you before, as I also haue tolde you before, that they which doe such things, shall not inherite the kingdome of God. 22But the fruite of the Spirit is loue, ioye, peace, long suffering, gentlenes, goodnes, fayth, 23Meekenesse, temperancie: against such there is no lawe. 24For they that are Christes, haue crucified the flesh with the affections and the lustes. 25If we liue in the Spirit, let vs also walke in the Spirit. 26Let vs not be desirous of vaine glorie, prouoking one another, enuying one another.