Galatians 5:16-18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:18

Verse 18 18.But if ye be led by the Spirit. In the way of the Lord believers are apt to stumble. But let them not be discouraged, because they are unable to satisfy the demands of the law. Let them listen to the consolatory declaration of the apostle, which is also found in other parts of his writings, (Romans 6:14,) ye are not under the law. Hence it follows, that the performance of their duties is not rejected on account of their present defects, but is accepted in the sight of God, as if it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

Freedom sustained by the Spirit. I. USE OF CHRISTIAN FREEDOM . "For ye, brethren, were called for freedom." Paul, having wished the Judaizing teachers off Galatian soil, justifies the strength of his wish. They would have led the Galatians into bondage, but God had called them for freedom. He makes a distinction between the possession of freedom and the use of freedom. He had been under the necessity of making prominent their possession of freedom in contending against the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16

This I say then ( λέγω δέ ). Like τοῦτο δὲ λέγω in Galatians 3:17 , and λέγω δὲ in Galatians 4:1 , the phrase, λέγω δέ , here introduces a further illustration of a point already referred to. It points back to the line of remark commenced in Galatians 4:13 in the words, "No freedom to be an occasion to the flesh! but through love be in bondage one to another." The voluntary bondage of love is one most important part of the spiritual life; as indulgence in malignant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16

Walking by the Spirit. I. THE TRUE CHRISTIAN WILL AIM AT NOT FULFILLING THE LUST OF THE FLESH . It is the fashion of the age to decry asceticism. St. Paul was not an advocate of the monkish ideal according to which there was a virtue in restraining desires and activities which are harmless in themselves. But this revulsion of our own day with its "fleshly school" of poets goes much further in the opposite direction and honours as "natural," what St. Paul would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-18

The life and warfare of the Spirit in the soul. This important passage suggests a comprehensive view of the Spirit's work in the believer's life. I. THE WORK Or THE SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER . 1 . "Walk in the Spirit." Nothing could be more descriptive of the natural effect of the spiritual change produced in regeneration. The new-born child soon discovers symptoms of activity. The language of the passage reminds us: 2 . Led by the Spirit. This implies an entire... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-26

Christian progress realized through antagonism. We must not suppose, however, that the love which God gives us as our liberty can work out its will without experiencing opposition. Opposition we know it will meet in the world of selfish men; but Paul here points out the antagonism it meets within our own personalities. The flesh antagonizes the Spirit. Love does not get its own sweet way as often as we would. Self becomes a battle-ground, and God contends with the flesh for the supremacy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh ( ἡ γὰρ σὰρξ ἐπιθυμεῖ κατὰ τοῦ πνεύματος τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα κατὰ τῆς σαρκός ); for the flesh doth lust (or, hath desires ) against the Spirit ; but the Spirit likewise against the flesh. The first clause, "for the flesh hath desires against the Spirit," justifies the mention of "the desire of the flesh" in Galatians 5:16 , as being an experience which Christians in general have still to deal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:17

The two selves. I. EVERY MAN HAS TWO SELVES —A HIGHER SELF AND A LOWER SELF . 1 . A bad man has his better self. When temptation is away, in calm thoughtful moments, or when he is stricken by mortal illness or bowed with a great sorrow, or perhaps when the beauty of a sunset or the strains of sweet music call up memories of childhood, the true self will rise in the heart of a wicked man with pain and unutterable regrets. 2 . A good man has his lower self. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law ( εἰ δὲ πνεύματι ἄγεσθε , οὐκ ἐστὲ ὑπὸ νόμον ); but if ye are led by the Spirit , ye are not under the Law. The sense of πνεύματι as denoting the Spirit of God is put beyond question by the parallel passage in Romans ( Romans 8:14 ), "As many as are led by the Spirit of God ( πνεύματι θεοῦ ἄγονται ), these are sons of God." The dative case with ἄγομαι in both passages is illustrated by 2... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 5:16

This I say then - This is the true rule about overcoming the propensities of your carnal natures, and of avoiding the evils of strife and contention.Walk - The Christian life is often represented as a journey, and the word walk, in the scripture, is often equivalent to live; Mark 7:5. See the notes at Romans 4:12; Romans 6:4, note; Romans 8:1, note.In the Spirit - Live under the influences of the Holy Spirit; admit those influences fully into your hearts. Do not resist him, but yield to all his... read more

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