Galatians 5:1 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

The whole law of liberty is stated in the sentences, "For freedom did Christ set us free," "stand fast therefore," and "be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage."

He then refers first to circumcision. If a man receive circumcision, Christ will profit him nothing; he has become a debtor to the whole law. If a man desire to be justi6ed by the law, he is severed from Christ, he is fallen from grace.

The positive side of this is then stated. Faith working through love is the great principle of all conduct. The apostle then proceeded to a correction of popular mistakes concerning freedom. The idea that liberty means the absence of all restraint is false. The true use of freedom is stated in the injunction, "through love be servants one to another." The emergence from bondage through Christ is the passing into a sphere of life in which all the powers should act under the dominion of the true motive-love. In answer to an inferred question how such love is possible, the injunction is, "Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.''

The contrast between flesh and spirit is then made. First, "the works of the flesh." These are operations in the realm of death. Then "the fruit of the Spirit." This refers to an operation in the realm of life. As the apostle has said that the whole law is summed up in the word 'love," so now it is evident that the one fruit of the Spirit is love. All the words following form an exposition of the meaning of love, an analysis of the experience resulting therefrom.

Related Commentaries of Galatians 5:1

Galatians 5:1-26

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder youa 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 circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affectionsb and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.