“Galatians 5”

Friday, May 05, 2017

Paul returns to his previously used illustration to drive home his major point that we are not under the Old Testament, but are living under the teachings of the New Testament. He speaks of the Old Law as being a form of bondage and the New Testament as liberty. (Remember that James also refers to the gospel as “the perfect law of liberty” in James 1:25.)

The apostle specifically mentions the first century issue of whether Christians from a Gentile background had to be circumcised and he lists two consequences of answering in the affirmative. First he says that Christ will profit you nothing and second, you will be required to keep the entire Old Law. (Do you recall that the Judaizing teachers wanted to bind a hybrid law, combining their favorite parts of both testaments?)

Our freedom from the Law of Moses is never to be interpreted as liberty (or license) to sin. The Judaizers were turning people back to the law with its detailed instructions and codified nature. Some thought they needed such detail to remain faithful. Paul wanted them to see that such a move led people away from Christ.  

Paul warns them in verse 15 that if they continued to argue and debate and quarrel over this matter, they would consume one another and Satan would be the only winner.

In verses 19-21, Paul lists an impressive number of sins that he refers to as “the works of the flesh.” It is vital that we realize what each of these sins includes. Although some of them are words or phrases with which we are not familiar, they involve attitudes or actions that can keep us out of heaven. If you do not recognize any of these words or sins, it is important that you learn what they include so you will not lose your soul over them.

Then, in verses 22-23, he names what he calls “the fruit of the Spirit.” These are nine positive qualities that we should strive to possess.

The fruit of the Spirit comes from the seed of the word of God (Luke 8:11). If we are led by the Spirit, as He leads us through the word, we will produce these characteristics in our lives (Colossians 1:5‑6). All men have the choice of bearing good or bad fruit (Matthew 7:15‑20; John 15:1‑6).

It is important to realize that these qualities are not miraculous. Each of these characteristics can be learned and developed in the life of a Christian who desires to serve God.

This chapter concludes with a reminder to walk in the Spirit’s teaching and to put to death the sinful desires of the flesh.

--Roger Hillis

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