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Galatians Chapter 5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 26 Verses

What is Galatians 5 about?

The Magna Carta of Christian liberty — justification by faith alone, not by works of the law, and freedom in the Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.
3Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.
5For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
7Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?
8This persuasion [came] not of him that calleth you.
9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.
12I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.
13For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only [use] not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
18But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
21envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.
24And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.
25If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
26Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty, etc..] There is the liberty of grace, and the liberty of glory; the former of these is here meant, and lies in a freedom from sin; not from the indwelling of it, but from the dominion, guilt, and damning power of it; from the captivity and tyranny of Satan, though not from his temptations and insults; from the law, the ceremonial law, as an handwriting of ordinances, a rigid severe schoolmaster, and a middle wall of partition, and from all its burdensome rites and institutions; from the moral law as a covenant of works, and as administered by Moses; and from the curse and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“PERORATION. EXHORTATION TO STAND FAST IN THE GOSPEL LIBERTY, JUST SET FORTH, AND NOT TO BE LED BY JUDAIZERS INTO CIRCUMCISION, OR LAW JUSTIFICATION: YET THOUGH FREE, TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER BY LOVE: TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT, BEARING THE FRUIT THEREOF, NOT IN THE WORKS OF THE FLESH. (Gal. 5:1-26) The oldest manuscripts read, "in liberty (so ALFORD, MOBERLEY, HUMPHRY, and ELLICOTT. But as there is no Greek for 'in,' as there is in translating in Co1 16:13; Phi 1:27; Phi 4:1, I prefer 'It is FOR freedom that') Christ hath made us free (not in, or for, a state of bondage). Stand fast, therefore, and be not entangled again…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Stand fast, therefore - Be firm and unwavering. This verse properly belongs to the previous chapter, and should not have been separated from it. The sense is, that they were to be firm and unyielding in maintaining the great principles of Christian liberty. They had been freed from the bondage of rites and ceremonies; and they should by no means, and in no form, yield to them again. In the liberty ... - Compare John 8:32, John 8:36; Romans 6:18; Notes, Galatians 4:3-5. And be not entangled again - Tyndale renders this, “And wrap not yourselves again.” The sense is, do not again allow such a yoke to be put on you;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty - From the ceremonial law. Wherewith Christ hath made us - And all believers, free; and be not entangled again with the yoke of legal bondage. Galatians 5:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“5:1 Paul succinctly summarizes his message to the Galatians, decrying their foolish behavior and offering a positive alternative—freedom. • So Christ has truly set us free: Christians are free to walk by faith in Christ alone (cp. Rom 8). • don’t get tied up (literally don’t take on a yoke): In Judaism, it was a duty and an honor to “take the yoke of the law.” God’s children in Christ are not called to bear this heavy burden (see Luke 11:46; Acts 15:10); instead, they enjoy Christ’s yoke of freedom (Matt 11:28-30).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Stand: Pro 23:23; Co1 15:58, Co1 16:13; Eph 6:14; Phi 1:27; Th1 3:8; Th2 2:15; Heb 3:6, Heb 3:14, Heb 4:14, Heb 10:23, Heb 10:35-39; Jde 1:3, Jde 1:20, Jde 1:21; Rev 2:25, Rev 3:3 the liberty: Gal 5:13, Gal 2:4, Gal 3:25, Gal 4:26, Gal 4:31; Psa 51:12; Isa 61:1; Mat 11:28-30; Joh 8:32-36; Rom 6:14, Rom 6:18, Rom 7:3, Rom 7:6, Rom 8:2; Co1 7:22; Co2 3:17; Pe1 2:16; Pe2 2:19 entangled: Gal 2:4, Gal 4:9; Mat 23:4; Act 15:10; Col 2:16-22; Heb 9:8-11 Galatians 5:2”
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