Galatians 5:18-21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:21

Envyings - Φθονοι· "Pain felt, and malignity conceived, at the sight of excellence or happiness." A passion the most base and the least curable of all that disgrace or degrade the fallen soul. See on Romans 13:13 ; (note) Murders - Φονοι· Similarity of sound to the preceding seems to have suggested the word in this association; it is wanting in several MSS. Murder signifies the destruction of human life; and as he who hates his brother in his heart is ready to take away his life,... read more

John Calvin

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:19

Verse 19 19.Now the works of the flesh are manifest. To obey the spirit and to oppose the flesh, are two great objects which have been set before Christians, and for the attainment of which they have been urged to make the most strenuous exertions. In accordance with these views, he now draws a picture both of the flesh and of the spirit. If men knew themselves, they would not need this inspired declaration, for they are nothing but flesh; but such is the hypocrisy belonging to our natural... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:21

Verse 21 21.Of which I tell you before. By this awful threatening he intended not only to alarm the Galatians, but likewise to glance indirectly at the false apostles, who had laid aside the far more valuable instruction, and spent their time in disputing about ceremonies. He instructs us, by his example, to press those exhortations and threatenings, agreeably to the words of the prophet, “Cry aloud, spare not; proclaim to my people their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1) What can be conceived more... 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 5:18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest ( φανερὰ δέ ἐστι τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκός ). The apostle's purpose is here altogether one of practical exhortation. Having in Galatians 5:13 emphatically warned the Galatians against making their emancipation from the Mosaic Law an occasion for the flesh, and in verse 16 affirmed the incompatibility of a spiritual walk with the fulfilment of the desire of the flesh, he now specifies samples of the vices, whether in outward conduct or in inward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 5:19-21

Classification of the works of the flesh. The picture here exhibited by the apostle is a frightful abyss into which he asks us to look down. We have sin in its many varieties pictured in many parts of Scripture ( Romans 1:18-32 ; 2 Corinthians 13:2 ), but here we have a most complete account of the works of the flesh. I. THE WORKS OF THE FLESH . The flesh and the body are not synonymous. The apostle usually speaks of the body in terms of respect—unlike ascetics, who... read more

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