Galatians 5

1 The Apostle having declared and proved the freedom of Christians from the yoke of the Law, exhorts the Galatians to continue and preserve in that liberty 2 That otherwise Christ profits them not, 5 and that righteousness is not obtained but by faith working by love. 7 Testifieth that the opinion of the false Teachers is not of God, but as a leaven: and that they shall be punished by God: 11 that they also abused the Apostles name. 13 Teacheth that this liberty must be used with love of our neighbours, without strife 16. Exhorts them to overcome the lusts of the flesh by the power of the Spirit. 17 Therefore describes the combat of the flesh against the Spirit in the faithful, 19 relates the fruits of the flesh, 22 and of the Spirit, 24 shewing that there are the true Christians, who overcome the flesh through the Spirit.

1. Stand therefore [That is, continue steadfast without turning away. See 1 Cor. 16.13.] In the liberty, [namely, from the bondage of the Law, mentioned in the former chapters] with which Christ hath made us free, [namely, who hath freed us from the curse and constraints of the Law, and hath fulfilled and abolished all the legal ceremonies. See John 8:36.] And be not again [as ye were subject formerly to the bondage of Idols, and are freed from it, do not again undergo a new bondage of ceremonies. See Gal. 4.] Caught [that is, bound and fastened thereto as it were with cords and snares. A similitude taken from Oxen, on whose horns men bind fast the yoke to keep them under] with the yoke of bondage. [That is, the difficult and troublesome observation of the Ceremonies, which Peter, Acts 15:10. calls a yoke not to be born.]

2. Behold, I Paul [Namely, whom am an Apostle of Jesus Christ, called thereunto, not of men nor by men, but by God. See Galatians 1:1. Therefore he opposes his Apostolic authority, to the esteem of the false Apostles] say unto you, that if ye suffer your selves to be circumcised [Gr. If ye be circumcised? Namely, with such an opinion that circumcision is yet necessary to salvation, and ye shall be justified thereby] Christ shall not be profitable unto you. [That is, that then you have no part in the righteousness, are not subject to the righteousness of God, Romans 10:3. And he that holds circumcision necessary still, he thereby denies that Christ hath fulfilled that which was pre-figured thereby.]

3. And I testify again to every men who suffers himself to be circumcised, [That is, who is circumcised, as before ver.2.] that he is a debtor [that is, that he thereby engageth and obligeth himself] to do the whole Law. [That is, to keep the Law perfectly in every thing, to be justified by the Law: seeing no man doth, or can do now, therefore all that seek their righteousness in the Law are subject to the curse, Deuteronomy 27:26. James 2:10.]

4. Christ is become vain unto you [Gr. Ye are made vain, or brought to naught from Christ, i.e. although you would mingle Christ’s righteousness with the Law, that can not profit you, seeing such mingling is impossible, and the righteousness of Christ is brought to naught, if righteousness be by the Law, Galatians 2:21.] who (will) be justified [Gr. Are justified] by the Law, ye are fallen [that is, ye should fall, if ye would be justified by the Law. Or he speaketh this not in respect of true believers, who never totally nor finally fall from the grace of God, 1 Pet. 1.5. 1 John 3:9. But in respect of hypocrites, who seemed to stand in the grace of God, and are said to fall from the same, when they are made known and manifest, that they never stood in the grace of God, 1 John 2:19.] from grace. [That is, from the savor of God, and consequently from all Gods benefits, which flow from hence, such as are effectual calling, faith, remission of sins, justification, sanctification and eternal life. For to be justified by works and by grace cannot stand together, Romans 11:6.]

5. For we [Namely, believers of the Jews, to whom the Law was given: How much more then ought ye who are Gentiles, and that had not have the Law, to seek righteousness also by Faith and not by the Law, Galatians 2:15, 16.] expect [that is, are confident that we have righteousness, and shall certainly obtain the fruit thereof, which we now hope for, Romans 8:24. Titus 2:13.] Through the Spirit [namely, of God which works this confidence in us] by faith, [namely, in Christ: whereby we receive the merits of Christ. And not by the works of the Law] the hope of righteousness.

6. For in Christ, [That is, now in the Kingdome of Christ under the new Testament; to be a Christian] neither hath circumcision [that is, all the ceremonies and advantages which in the former times were given to the Jews] any virtue [namely, to justify] nor forsaking: [that is, to be circumcised, that neither furthers nor hinders salvation] See Romans 3:30.] But faith [namely, hath only that virtue, as being an instrument whereby we receive and are made Partakers of the righteousness of Christ] working or being operative and active] by love, [that is, by shewing forth the works of love towards God and our neighbor. Whereby true Faith is distinguished from the outward profession of faith of hypocrites, which is dead faith, and cannot save. See James 2:14. 20, 26. By this description he also answers the calumny of the false Teachers, who taught that the doctrine of justification by faith alone made men careless and ungodly.]

7. Ye did run well, [Namely, in the race of true faith, i.e. adhering to the doctrine of justification and Christian liberty. A similitude taken from those who contend in the running of race. See 1 Cor. 9.24,26. Philippians 3:14.] who did hinder you [that is, stopped and as it were cut off your course, This he demands as admitting at their greatest unsteadfastness in the pure doctrine: and withal he lays the principal blame hereof on the seducers, to shew that he believed that they sinned out of weakness and not out of wickedness, and that so the better to gain them] not to be obedient [that is, not to receive, not to believe, and not to continue steadfastly therein] to the truth. [Namely, of mans justification of grace by faith, without works, Galatians 2:5.]

8. This opinion [Gr. This making-believe, or persuasion, namely, of the false Apostles, who pervade you and seek to make you believe, that righteousness is also by the Law, and not only by Christ] is not of him that calleth you. [Namely, God or Christ. See Galatians 1:6.] And for this course not good, nor agreeable to the truth.]

9. A little leaven sowreth the whole dough. [See of this similitude, 1 Cor. 5.6. By this leaven may be understood either the false doctrine it self, as Mat. 16.v.6.12. Or the men who promoted this doctrine, who although there were few, yet nevertheless did much hurt, to corrupt the whole Church in time, and therefore must the more be eschewed.]

10. I am confident of you in the Lord, that ye will be of other opinion: [Namely, then I have taught you, and yet in this Epistle teach you] but he that troubleth you, [that is, disquiets your consciences with false and strange doctrine, and disturbs the peace of the Church] shall bear the judgment, [that is, be justly and certainly punished by God. A Hebrew phrase, see Matthew 23:24.] whosoever he be. [That is, who is guilty thereof, of what esteem so ever he may be.]

11. But I brethren, if I yet [namely, as I urged it when I was yet a Pharisee, with such an opinion that I should be justified thereby] preach circumcision, [that is, teach that circumcision and the other ceremonies of the Law, are necessary to be observed to salvation, as the false Apostles backbite me] why am I yet persecuted? [that is, that this backbiting is true appears by the persecutions, the Jews daily lay upon me, for no other cause but because I teach that circumcision and other ceremonies are abolished by Christ] then is the offence of the cross [that is, the offence which the Jews take from the Christian doctrine, whereby is taught that Christ by his crucifying and death only, hath redeemed us from the curse, and procured salvation for us, 1 Cor. 1.23.] brought to naught. [That is, should cease.]

12. Oh! that they were even cut off, [Namely, from the church and company of the faithfull. This he wishes out of an Apolstolic zeal to the glory of God, and to the salvation of men : not out of a revengeful mind. Therefore this is not repugnant to Christ's command, Matthew 5:44, nor to his own doctrine, Romans 12:14.] that disquiet you. [that is, trouble you, as verse 10.]

13. For ye are called [Namely, by God, and by Christ. See ver.8. And Galatians 1:6.] unto liberty [see ver.1.] brethren: only (use) not liberty [before he exhorted them to continue steadfast in Christian liberty, here he exhorts them further to the right use of the same] for an occasion to the flesh: [that is, to abuse this liberty to the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh, and for a cloak for sin, 1 Pet. 2.16.] but serve one another through love. [that is, although ye may be free from the bondage of the Law, yet nevertheless ye must shew to one another the service of love: for although ye are free from bondage of ceremonial Law, ye are not free from the Law of love, Romans 13:8. 1 Pet. 2.17.]

14. For the whole Law [Gr. All the Law, namely, of the second Table, wherein God prescribes us how we must carry ourselves towards our neighbor. See Romans 13:8.] Is fulfilled [that is, briefly and summarily contained as one in chief point. See Leviticus 19:18. Matthew 22:39. Romans 13:8.] In one word, [that is, in one command, see Deuteronomy 4:13.] (namely) in this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.

15. But if ye bite and devour one another, [that is, trouble and vex one another with contentions, reproaches, and divisions about this point of Christian liberty] look to it, that ye be not consumed one of another. [That is, that through your divisions your faith be not weakened, and the walfare, peace and quiet of the church be not broken.]

16. And I say, [That is, this that I will say. See Galatians 3:17. and 4.1. He further declares here that which he had said, v.13. and shews that the means whereby the abuse of liberty may be avoided] walk by the spirit, [when the spirit and flesh in a man are opposed one to another; by the spirit is understood that part of the man, which is regenerated by the spirit: and by the flesh, the natural corruption, which yet cleaves to the regenerate, See Romans 8:1.] And fulfilled not [or, and ye shall not fulfill, shewing that what fruit shall follow from thence, when men walk according to the spirit. And so then this shall be the means to prevent the abuse of liberty] the concupiscence of the flesh. [That is, the evil thoughts, inclinations, motions and lusts of corrupt nature, which yet cleave to the regenerate.]

17. For the flesh desired against the spirit, [That is, the evil lusts of the flesh retrieve against the good desires which the Holy Ghost raiseth up in the regenerate] and the spirit against the flesh: and these withstands one another, [that is, are contrary lusts] so that ye do not [that is, cannot always fulfill] that which ye would. [namely, according to the good lusts and desires which the Holy Ghost hath wrought in you: as also on the contrary, the lusting of the spirit hinder that ye do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, Romans 7:19. etc.]

18. But if ye led by the spirit, [Namely, so that the spirit and the good desires which he works in you prevail in you, so that ye suffer your selves to be led thereby in the ways of God.] ye are not under the Law. [That is, not under the constraint of the Law, which ariseth from fear of the threatening of the Law, nor under the curse of the same, not under the yoke of the ceremonies. For the spirit which leads the regenerate, is not the spirit of bondage unto fear, but of the adoption for children, and of liberty, see Romans 8:15. Galatians 4:6.]

19. The works now of the flesh [That is, which the flesh or the corruption of our nature produceth; and wherein mans corrupt nature takes pleasure] are manifest: [that is, are sufficiently known, seeing man know by the light of nature, that they are evil, shameful and dishonorable. Or cannot remain hidden, how much so ever men seek to cover them] which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty. [That is, lasciviousness, wantonness, petulancy.]

20. Idolatry, poisoning, [Or, which craft] enmities, contentions grudges, [or, jealousies, when a man grugdeth that it goes with his neighbor, or seek his own advantage with the loss and damage of the neighbor] anger, quarrelling, discord, heresies,

21. Envy, murther, drunkenness, gluttonies, [See Romans 13:13. Ephesians 5:18.] and the like: [that is added, because there are yet many more, and it would be too long to rehearse them all] of which I tell you before, [that is, not only instruct you as a teacher, but also as a Prophet certainly declare unto and warn you before hand] as I have also said before, [namely, 1 Cor. 6.9,10. Ephesians 5:5.] That they that do such things, [that is, such and the like works of the flesh] shall not [namely, except they from their hearts repent from such sins] inherit [that is, obtain and posses: for this Kingdome is not obtained by merits, but by grace as an inheritance. See Matthew 19:29. and chapter 25.34. 1 Cor. 6.10.] The Kingdome of glory: or eternal salvation in heaven.]

22. But the fruit of the spirit, [That is, the works which the spirit of God worketh in the regenerate; and by which regeneration is known] is love, joy, [namely, by the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17. arising from the assurance that we have peace with God] peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, [that is, faithfulness in promise, and the administration of ones office] meekness, moderation. [Or charity, abstaining from unlawful lusts.]

23. Against such [That is, who exercise and shew froth these and the like virtues in their life] the Law is not. [namely, which shall condemn them, see ver.18.]

24. But that are Christ’s, [That is, engrafted into Christ by a true faith, belong to him: who are true Christians] have crucified the flesh [that is, are not only bound to mortify their corrupt nature and not to let it reign, but also actually do this by the power of the spirit of Christ which they have received] with the motions and lusts. [namely, not the natural, but those that are contrary to the Law of God, which proceed from the corrupt nature of man, Romans 1:24,26.]

25. If we live by the spirit, [That is, are raised up by the Holy Ghost from the death of the sin unto a new life] let us walk by the spirit. [That is, in our life follow the leading of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth the foresaid fruits of the same, Romans 8:5. etc.]

26. Let us not be [The Apostle now further exhorts the Galatians to beware of special sins, and to pursue some special virtues. Whereof some do begin the sixth chapter from this verse] seekers of vain glory, [that is, that we should be ambitious, & seek to overtop others, or to bear sway over others] provoking one another, [Gr. Summoning, or challenging, namely, by despising, reproaches, reviling or the like] envying one another. [Namely, one another’s virtues, estates, or conditions, which commonly proceeds from ambition, and is accompanied with the same.]