Galatians 5

In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the freedom that comes through faith in Christ with the bondage of the law, urging believers to stand firm in their liberty and to live by the Spirit. He emphasizes that legalism, especially in the form of circumcision, negates the grace of God, while life in the Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness.

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."

Paul urges the Galatians to remain firm in the freedom they received through Christ. The "yoke of bondage" refers to the law, which burdens those who try to earn righteousness by works. Paul warns them not to return to legalistic practices, which would enslave them again.

Galatians 5:2-3 (NKJV)
"Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law."

Paul highlights that those who choose circumcision as a means to salvation are bound to obey the entire law. In doing so, they forfeit the grace of Christ because they rely on works rather than faith for righteousness.

Galatians 5:4 (NKJV)
"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."

Those who seek justification through the law are severed from Christ. They are no longer relying on grace for salvation but instead are attempting to earn it, thus losing the benefit of Christ's sacrifice.

Galatians 5:5 (NKJV)
"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

Paul contrasts the futile efforts of law-keeping with the true Christian hope. Through the Spirit, believers look forward to the fulfillment of righteousness, which is based on faith and not human effort. This waiting is not passive but filled with expectation.

Galatians 5:6 (NKJV)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."

In Christ, external rituals like circumcision are meaningless. What truly matters is faith expressed through love. This love is the natural outcome of genuine faith, showing that true righteousness is about inner transformation rather than outward conformity.

Galatians 5:7-8 (NKJV)
"You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you."

Paul acknowledges that the Galatians were once living in the truth but have since been misled. He reminds them that the false teachings they now follow are not from God, who originally called them to freedom in Christ.

Galatians 5:9 (NKJV)
"A little leaven leavens the whole lump."

Paul warns that even a small amount of false teaching, like leaven, can spread and corrupt the entire community. This is a call to guard against legalism and any doctrine that undermines the gospel of grace.

Galatians 5:10 (NKJV)
"I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is."

Paul expresses his trust that the Galatians will return to the true gospel. He assures them that the one causing confusion will face God's judgment. This demonstrates Paul’s faith in God’s ability to restore the believers and deal with the false teachers.

Galatians 5:11 (NKJV)
"And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased."

Paul defends himself against accusations that he preaches circumcision. If he did, he argues, he would not be persecuted because the offense of the cross would no longer exist. The message of the cross is offensive because it declares that salvation is by grace, not by works.

Galatians 5:12 (NKJV)
"I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!"

Paul expresses his frustration with those advocating circumcision, using sharp language to say that if they are so insistent on circumcision, they might as well go further and cut themselves off completely. His point is that their teaching is harmful and should be rejected.

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Paul reminds the Galatians that their freedom is not a license to sin. Instead, true Christian liberty leads to loving service. Freedom in Christ empowers believers to live selflessly, in contrast to the selfish desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:14 (NKJV)
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The essence of the law is love. By loving others as we love ourselves, we fulfill the moral requirements of the law. This love is the fruit of faith, a clear demonstration that Christ’s work in our hearts leads to righteousness.

Galatians 5:15 (NKJV)
"But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!"

Paul warns against divisiveness and destructive behavior within the church. Instead of being marked by love, the Galatians were engaging in harmful disputes. Such behavior can destroy the unity and witness of the church, leaving everyone worse off.

Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

Paul urges the Galatians to live by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, they will overcome the sinful desires of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit means living in daily surrender to God’s will and strength.

Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

Paul describes the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The desires of the flesh oppose the work of the Spirit, creating a battle within every believer. Victory over the flesh comes by yielding to the Spirit’s leading.

Galatians 5:18 (NKJV)
"But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Those who are led by the Spirit are not bound by the law’s demands because they are empowered to live righteously. The law is no longer needed as an external rule because the Spirit writes God’s law on the believer’s heart, leading to true righteousness.

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Paul lists the sinful behaviors that characterize a life lived according to the flesh. These works lead to destruction, and those who make them a pattern of life will not inherit God’s kingdom. This warning is serious, calling believers to examine their lives for evidence of spiritual fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

In contrast to the works of the flesh, Paul lists the virtues produced by the Holy Spirit. These qualities reflect God’s character and fulfill the law’s righteous demands. The believer who walks by the Spirit will naturally display these fruits in their life.

Galatians 5:24 (NKJV)
"And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Paul declares that those who belong to Christ have put to death their sinful nature. By identifying with Christ’s death, they have renounced the desires of the flesh and are now empowered to live by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 (NKJV)
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Living in the Spirit means not only receiving new life from God but also actively following the Spirit’s leading in everyday actions. Paul calls believers to align their conduct with the spiritual life they have received.

Galatians 5:26 (NKJV)
"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

Paul concludes by warning against pride and jealousy, which can cause division and strife within the community. A Spirit-led life will not foster arrogance or competition, but humility and harmony.