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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

(13) For.—This connecting particle supplies the reason for the Apostle’s severe treatment of the Judaisers.An occasion to the flesh.—Do not, under the name “liberty,” give way to sensual excesses. This was the especial danger of the Gentile churches, such as Corinth, from which, as we have seen, the Apostle may have been writing. Galatia, too, was a Gentile church; and though it was for the present subject rather to Judaising influences, the character of the people was fickle, and St. Paul may... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 5:1-26

Christian Liberty Galatians 5:1 What is 'liberty?' Obedience to oneself; obedience to a law which is written in a man's own heart. If I obey myself, and myself is not a right self, it is, indeed, 'liberty,' but, being a bad liberty, it becomes 'licentiousness'. If I obey a law outside me, and the law within me is opposed to that outer law which I obey, the act I do may be quite right, and the only right one, but my obedience is not 'liberty,' it is compulsion; it is bondage. Liberty is when... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:13-15

Chapter 22THE PERILS OF LIBERTY.Galatians 5:13-15OUR analysis has drawn a strong line across the middle of this chapter. At Galatians 5:13 the Apostle turns his mind in the ethical direction. He has dismissed "the troublers" with contempt in Galatians 5:12; and until the close of the Epistle does not mention them again; he addresses his readers on topics in which they are left out of view. But this third, ethical section of the letter is still continuous with its polemical and doctrinal... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Galatians 5:1-26

III. THE WALK OF THE JUSTIFIED BELIEVER, AS NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE CHAPTER 5 1. Stand fast! Be not entangled! (Galatians 5:1-6 ) 2. Exhortations and the law of love. (Galatians 5:7-15 ) 3. Flesh and Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-21 ) 4. The Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-26 ) The first exhortation is to maintain, by faith, the liberty which is found in Christ, to stand fast in that liberty where with Christ has made the believer free and not to be entangled again with the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 5:13

5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; {12} only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.(12) The third part of this epistle, showing that the right use of Christian liberty consists of this, that being delivered and set at liberty from the slavery of sin and the flesh, and being obedient to the Spirit, we should through love help each other to mature in their salvation. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:1-26

LIBERTY TO BE PRACTICED (vs.1-6) Chapter 4 dealt with the perfect freedom introduced by God Himself through Christ, freedom given to all who have been redeemed by His precious blood, freedom from the bondage of law in all its forms. It is not, however, freedom to walk in our own ways according to our own wills (for that is really bondage), but freedom from fear of judgment, freedom from the Law as a rule of life, freedom to walk with God in the blessedness of intimate communion with His own... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:1-26

PRACTICAL APPLICATION In applying the doctrine Paul urges his readers to stand fast in the liberty of Christ (Galatians 5:1-12 ), but in doing so not to abuse that liberty (Galatians 5:13 to Galatians 6:10 ). He mentions four ways in which it may be abused: 1. Uncharitableness (Galatians 5:13-15 ) 2. Uncleanness (Galatians 5:16-25 ) 3. Pride (Galatians 5:26 to Galatians 6:5 ) 4. Selfishness (Galatians 6:6-10 ) The first-mentioned warning or exhortation speaks for itself. They were to cease... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Galatians 5:6-15

(6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. (9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach... read more

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