Galatians 5:13-17 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 5:13-15

5:13-15 As for you, brothers, it was for freedom that you were called, only you must not use this freedom as a bridgehead through which the worst side of human nature can invade you, but in love you must serve one another; for the whole law stands complete in one word, in the sentence, "You must love your neighbour as yourself." But if you snap at one another, and devour one another, you must watch that you do not end up by wiping each other out. With this paragraph Paul's letter changes... 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 5:13

For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty ,.... He calls them "brethren", to testify his affection to them, and to put them in mind of their relation to one another, which required mutual love, a thing he is about to press them to; he asserts that they were "called" not merely externally, but internally, by the effectual grace of God, out of bondage to sin, Satan, and the law, unto the liberty of the Gospel and of the grace of God; that liberty wherewith Christ had made them free, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word ,.... Not the ceremonial law, to which acts of mercy, kindness, and love are opposed, and from which they are distinguished; but the law of the decalogue given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and by him to the people of the Jews; and intends either only the second table of it, since only love to the neighbour is mentioned; or else the whole of it, both tables, since it is said, "all the law"; which by Christ is reduced to two heads, love to God, and love to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:15

But if ye bite and devour one another ,.... Another reason inducing to love is taken from the pernicious consequences of a contrary spirit and conduct. The allusion is to beasts of prey falling upon and devouring one another: for wolves or dogs to worry sheep is not strange; but for sheep to distress one another is unnatural. The apostle does not say, if grievous wolves should enter in among you and not spare the flock; but suggests if they themselves should act the part of wolves to one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:16

This I say then, walk in the Spirit ,.... The advice the apostle thinks fit to give, and which he would have observed, is, to "walk in the Spirit", that is, either after the Spirit of God; making the word inspired by him the rule of behaviour, which as it is the standard of faith, so of practice, and is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path; taking him himself for a guide, who not only guides into all truth, but in the way of holiness and righteousness unto the land of... 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 5:13

Ye have been called unto liberty - A total freedom from all the burthensome rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Only use not that liberty for an occasion to the flesh. By flesh, here, we may understand all the unrenewed desires and propensities of the mind; whatsoever is not under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. Your liberty is from that which would oppress the spirit; not from that which would lay restraints on the flesh. The Gospel proclaims liberty from the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:14

For all the law - Which respects our duty to our fellows, is fulfilled - is comprehended, in one word: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. See the notes on Matthew 19:19 , and Romans 13:9 ; (note). read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 5:13-15

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:16

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:14

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