Galatians 5:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

In the latter part of this chapter the apostle comes to exhort these Christians to serious practical godliness, as the best antidote against the snares of the false teachers. Two things especially he presses upon them:? I. That they should not strive with one another, but love one another. He tells them (Gal. 5:13) that they had been called unto liberty, and he would have them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free; but yet he would have them be very careful that they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 5:16-21

5:16-21 I tell you, let your walk and conversation be dominated by the Spirit, and don't let the desires of the lower side of your nature have their way. For the desires of the lower side of human nature are the very reverse of the desires of the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are the very reverse of those of the lower side of human nature, for these are fundamentally opposed to each other, so that you cannot do whatever you like. The deeds of the lower side of human nature are obvious... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit ,.... By "flesh" is meant, not the carnal or literal sense of the Scripture, which is Origen's gloss, as militating against the spiritual sense of it; nor the sensual part of man rebelling against his rational powers; but the corruption of nature, which still is in regenerate persons: and is so called because it is propagated by carnal generation; has for its object carnal things; its lusts and works are fleshly; and though it has its seat in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit - God still continues to strive with you, notwithstanding your apostasy, showing you whence you have fallen, and exciting you to return to him; but your own obstinacy renders all ineffectual; and through the influence of these different principles, you are kept in a state of self-opposition and self-distraction, so that you cannot do the things that ye would. You are convinced of what is right, and ye wish to do it; but, having abandoned the Gospel... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:17

Verse 17 17.For the flesh lusteth. The spiritual life maintained without a struggle. We are here informed of the nature of the difficulty, which arises from our natural inclinations being opposed to the Spirit. The word flesh, as we had occasion to observe, in expounding the Epistle to the Romans, denotes the nature of man; for the limited application of it, which the sophists make to the lower senses, as they are called, is refuted by various passages; and the contrast between the two words... 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 5:16-18

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 5:16-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:13-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:16-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:17

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