Galatians 5:15 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:15

But if ye bite - The word used here (δάκνω daknō), means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here seems to be used in the sense of contending and striving - a metaphor not improbably taken from dogs and wild beasts.And devour one another - As wild beasts do. The sense is, “if you contend with each other;” and the reference is, probably, to the strifes which would arise between the two parties in the churches - the Jewish and the Gentile converts.Take heed that ye be not consumed ... - As wild... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 5:13-15

Galatians 5:13-15. Ye have been called By the gospel; into liberty From the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonies, as well as of sin and misery: only use not liberty for an occasion of the flesh So as to nourish or gratify any corrupt principle in yourselves or others. But by love serve one another Use your liberty as may best manifest your love to your neighbour, seeking his edification, or at least doing nothing contrary thereto, Romans 14:13; Romans 14:15. And hereby show that Christ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

True freedom; true Christianity (5:13-26)Christian freedom does not mean that believers may do as they like. On the contrary, they must think of others and act to please them. This is what the law commands, but those who want to put themselves under the law cannot do it. Instead they are unkind and cruel to each other. The goal that the law aims at is not reached by trying to keep the law, but by acting with true Christian liberty (13-15).Sooner or later Christians find that they do not always... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 5:15

bite . Greek. dakno . Only here. devour . Greek. katesthio . See 2 Corinthians 11:20 . take heed. Greek. blepo . App-133 . that . . . not = lest. Greek. me . App-105 . consumed . Greek. analisko , Only here, Luke 9:54 . 2 Thessalonians 2:8 . of . = by. Greek. hupo . App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Galatians 5:15

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.Christian faith and behavior are never more frustrated and disgraced than by spiteful criticisms, derogatory remarks, snide observations and poison-tongue fulminations of Christians against each other. The fate of any group permitting such a development issues inevitably in that of "The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat":The truth about the cat and the pup Is this: They ate each other up!The apostle said as... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:15

15. bite—backbite the character. devour—the substance by injuring, extortion, c. (Habakkuk 1:13 Matthew 23:14; 2 Corinthians 11:20). consumed, &c.—Strength of soul, health of body, character, and resources, are all consumed by broils [BENGEL]. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 5:13-15

2. Living without license 5:13-15Paul urged his readers to live unbound to the Law of Moses (Galatians 5:1-12). He also warned them against using their liberty as a license to sin to prevent them from overreacting."Christian freedom is not licence [sic] for the simple but tremendous reason that the Christian is not the man who has become free to sin, but the man, who, by the grace of God, has become free not to sin." [Note: Barclay, p. 50.] "The theme of love . . . informs all of Paul’s... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 5:15

Apparently the believers who advocated grace and the believers who advocated law bitterly opposed one another in the Galatian churches. Paul cautioned both sides to love one another or they would consume each other. That would not be a good example of Christian love. This is the only sin Paul warned the Galatians to avoid. They were better off spiritually than some other congregations to which he wrote, or possibly he did not want to deal with other needs of theirs in this letter. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:1-26

The Nature of Christian Liberty1-12. The futility of seeking justification by attempting to comply with the demands of the Mosaic Law; the inconsistency of works and faith as methods of salvation.Paraphrase. ’(1) Since Christ has freed us from the necessity of obeying these legal demands and customs, let us consistently maintain and use our liberty. (2) To receive circumcision as necessary to salvation is to renounce allegiance to Christ, (3) since submission to this rite commits one to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 5:13-15

(13-15) The Judaisers would deserve such a fate; for they are undoing the whole object with which you were called. You were called, not to legal bondage, but to freedom. This caution only is needed: Do not make freedom a pretext for self-indulgence. One servitude you may submit to—the service of love. So doing, you will fulfil the Law without being legalists. He who loves his neighbour as himself will need no other rule. On the other hand, dissensions will be fatal, not to one party only, but... read more