Galatians 5:15
Galatians 5:15 in Multiple Translations
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
But if you are given to fighting with one another, take care that you are not the cause of destruction one to another.
But if you attack and tear into one another, watch out that you don't completely destroy yourselves!
If ye bite and deuoure one another, take heede least ye be consumed one of another.
and if one another ye do bite and devour, see — that ye may not by one another be consumed.
But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one by another.
But if you bite and devour one another; take heed you be not consumed one of another.
Since you are attacking and injuring [MET] each other by the things that you say [MET], I warn you that if you continue doing that, you will totally ruin each other spiritually.
Don’t be like wild animals. They fight each other and eat each other all the time. If you don’t love each other, you are just like them. So be careful. If you fight each other, you might properly finish each other.
Berean Amplified Bible — Galatians 5:15
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Galatians 5:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Galatians 5:15
Study Notes — Galatians 5:15
- Context
- Cross References
- Galatians 5:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Galatians 5:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 5:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
- Cambridge Bible on Galatians 5:15
- Barnes' Notes on Galatians 5:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
- Sermons on Galatians 5:15
Context — Freedom in Christ
15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 3:3 | for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? |
| 2 | James 3:14–3 | — |
| 3 | Galatians 5:26 | Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another. |
| 4 | 2 Corinthians 11:20 | In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 6:6–8 | Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers! |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 12:20 | For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. |
| 7 | Isaiah 9:20–21 | They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring. Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. |
| 8 | Isaiah 11:13 | Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. |
| 9 | Philippians 3:2 | Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! |
| 10 | Isaiah 11:5–9 | Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water. |
Galatians 5:15 Summary
[Galatians 5:15 is a warning to Christians not to hurt or tear each other down with our words or actions, but instead to serve and love one another. This is because our freedom in Christ is not a license to be selfish, but to love and serve others, as stated in Galatians 5:13. If we keep on hurting each other, we will be consumed by our own selfish desires, as seen in Galatians 5:15. By walking by the Spirit and loving our neighbors as ourselves, we can avoid this destructive behavior and live in harmony with each other, as instructed in Galatians 5:16 and Leviticus 19:18.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'bite and devour one another' in Galatians 5:15?
This phrase refers to the destructive behavior of verbally attacking, criticizing, or tearing each other down, which is contrary to the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself' found in Galatians 5:14 and Leviticus 19:18.
How can we avoid being consumed by one another as warned in Galatians 5:15?
To avoid this, we must walk by the Spirit as instructed in Galatians 5:16, and not gratify the desires of the flesh, which includes selfish and hurtful behavior towards others, as seen in Romans 8:13 and Ephesians 4:32.
Is Galatians 5:15 talking about physical harm or something else?
The context of Galatians 5:15 suggests that it is referring to emotional and spiritual harm caused by verbal attacks and criticism, rather than physical harm, as seen in the contrast between walking by the Spirit and gratifying the flesh in Galatians 5:16-17.
How does this verse relate to our freedom in Christ mentioned in Galatians 5:13?
Galatians 5:15 serves as a warning that our freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge in selfish and hurtful behavior, but rather to serve one another in love, as stated in Galatians 5:13 and supported by the teachings of Jesus in John 13:35.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have I been 'biting and devouring' others with my words or actions, and how can I make amends?
- How can I balance my freedom in Christ with the need to serve and love others, as instructed in Galatians 5:13-14?
- What are some practical ways I can 'walk by the Spirit' and avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh in my interactions with others, as seen in Galatians 5:16-17?
- What would my relationships look like if I truly loved my neighbors as myself, as commanded in Galatians 5:14 and Leviticus 19:18?
Gill's Exposition on Galatians 5:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Galatians 5:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
Trapp's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
Cambridge Bible on Galatians 5:15
Barnes' Notes on Galatians 5:15
Whedon's Commentary on Galatians 5:15
Sermons on Galatians 5:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Divided Heart by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of a divided heart, emphasizing that such a condition leads to spiritual faultiness both individually and within the church. He warns that a divid |
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(Saved Through the Fire) 02 - the Path of True Salvation by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of repeatedly hearing and understanding the message of God. He explains that hearing the message multiple times helps to brea |
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Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 3 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of finding Christ in a home. He emphasizes the importance of free will and how it can affect one's relationship with God. Th |
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Love the Sinner; Hate the Sin by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of true repentance and following Jesus wholeheartedly. It challenges the audience to recognize their need for God's mercy and to prioritize a |
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The Dangers of Self Deception Part 1 - an Unbridled Tongue by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. addresses the critical issue of self-deception in the church, emphasizing that one of the most significant dangers believers face is the unbridled tongue, which refl |
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A Desperate Plea for Unity by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman passionately addresses the urgent need for unity within the church, drawing from the teachings of 1 Corinthians. He emphasizes that believers, while called to be sain |
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Watchman or Gossip? Contentiously Contending - 7 by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch preaches on the importance of reacting to the fall of the wicked with mourning and intercession, rather than delighting in scandal or spreading rumors. He emphasizes th |






