Galatians 5: Righteousness by Faith

v.1 Paul here urges the Galatians to hold to the sound doctrine he had taught them, rather than being confused and caught up in every new wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:11–14).

v.2 Paul points out the futility of being circumcised or doing any other work to try to assure salvation or righteous standing with God. No religious ritual can ever save us.

v.3–4 If a man is circumcised in order to be saved, then he is responsible for the whole law, because he has established a legal relationship with God (James 2:11).

v.5 Philippians 3:4–9.

v.7 1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 3:14.

v.8 The doctrine taught by the false teachers wasn’t from God but from men. Many of the cults put people under bondage to their laws. Their leaders are often very convincing speakers. We need to evaluate the teachings we hear in light of what the Bible says (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

v.9 If we move just slightly away from pure doctrine, we can go further away as we try to reconcile our beliefs.

v.11 The cross offends people, because when Christ sacrificed Himself for the sins of every person He became the only way to God. People are bothered by the narrowness of one way; they prefer to think that man can somehow effect his salvation through a wide choice of roads to God.

v.13 We’re no longer slaves to our flesh, sin, and Satan when we’re born again (Romans 6; 2 Timothy 2:26). We’re also free from the law. Now we must exercise our freedom so that we’re not brought back into bondage (1 Corinthians 6:12).

v.16 Walk here refers to our “manner of life.” When our spirits are in union with God, we’re alive. When our spirits are not in union with God, we’re dead (Ephesians 2:1–3). One of the signs that a man isn’t in fellowship with God is his conformity to the world (Romans 12:12; 1 John 2:15; 2 Corinthians 6:17). God communicates with us through our spirits (Romans 8:16–17; John 4:23–24). The spirit confirms that we belong to God (John 14:20) and opens our understanding of spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14–15), teaching and instructing us. When we walk in the Spirit, we allow Him to rule our minds and control our thoughts (Romans 8:5). We feed on spiritual food to keep our spiritual man strong (Job 23:12). If we program our minds with spiritual things, then the Spirit overflows from our lives. When we walk in the Spirit we have fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). We have joy, peace, understanding, and patience. We also have strength and power over the flesh with the ability to see the consequences of following the fleshly life (Romans 8:6).

v.17 The conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is common in the life of the believer. God has given us instincts and desires that are part of our natural function. When our fleshly instincts try to rule us, then the struggle with the Spirit begins (Romans 7:19–25). Sometimes it seems that we’re overwhelmed by our fleshly desires (Matthew 26:41), but God uses our weak areas to show us His strength (Romans 7:24–25). When we ask Him for help, He is right there with the power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. We cannot reform our flesh; it must be crucified (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6). We must continually reckon our flesh dead and buried as new temptations occur. God works on us from the inside out, not from the outside in. While we try to practice self-control, God is teaching us Spirit-control.

v.18 Romans 8:14; Psalm 40:8; 2 Corinthians 3:3.

v.19 These works of the flesh all deal with sexual sin (1 Corinthians 6:15–20; Romans 1:21–27). Uncleanness is “immorality.”

v.20 Idolatry is worshipping God in ways that He doesn’t sanction. Many people offer the works of their flesh to God as worship. God doesn’t reward the works of the flesh. The meaning of the word translated “witchcraft” here encompasses the use of hallucinogenic drugs. Wrath is an ungovernable temper given to explosions. One who strives is self-seeking. An example is the politician who seeks office to gratify his ego rather than to serve the people.

v.21 Our Christian life should be wholehearted and intense, not a borderline experience (1 Corinthians 9:24).

v.22 The contrast here is between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Our fruit is nurtured and cultivated by God (John 15:1, 4). The Spirit is the dynamic power of God working in our lives to bring forth fruit (Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14). The word love here is the Greek word “agape,” the unselfish spiritual love that comes from God. The rest of this verse describes agape (1 Corinthians 13). The fruit of the Spirit is agape (1 John 3:14). Joy is the consciousness of God’s love. Peace is more than the absence of conflict. True peace is only possible when agape exists. Gentleness is sensitivity to the needs of others. Love is the strongest motivator for goodness. Agape causes others to have faith in our word; it makes us trustworthy. Meekness is humility. The people who are humble don’t tell you they are. Temperance is moderation. The fruit of the Spirit should be flowing from our lives for the building up of the body of Christ (James 1:22–24).

v.25 Living in the Spirit begins when we are born again.

Walking in the Spirit means that we are conscious of God’s presence with us at all times. An awareness of God’s presence helps us to be obedient to Him and to avoid evil. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh (v. 16). Walking in the Spirit is walking in love.

v.26 The glory and praise of men soon passes.

Making a show in the flesh provokes others and causes envy. We should conduct ourselves in a way that leads people to glorify God for our actions (John 3:29–30).