Galatians 5:14

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 5:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Galatians 5:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, etc..] 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 the neighbour; and though the former is not here expressed, it is implied as a cause in the effect, for the love of God is the cause, and so the evidence of love to the neighbour; nor can there be the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“all the law--Greek, "the whole law," namely, the Mosaic law. Love to God is presupposed as the root from which love to our neighbor springs; and it is in this tense the latter precept (so "word" means here) is said to be the fulfilling of "all the law" (Lev 19:18). Love is "the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2; Mat 7:12; Mat 22:39-40; Rom 13:9-10). is fulfilled--Not as received text "is being fulfilled," but as the oldest manuscripts read, "has been fulfilled"; and so "receives its full perfection," as rudimentary teachings are fulfilled by the more perfect doctrine. The law only united Israelites together: the Gospel unites all men, and that in relation to God [GROTIUS].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For all the law is fulfilled ... - That is, this expresses the substance of the whole law; it embraces and comprises all. The apostle of course here alludes to the Law in regard to our duty to our fellow-men, since that was the point which he particularly enforces. He is saying that this law would counteract all the evil workings of the flesh, and if this were fulfilled, all our duty to others would be discharged. A similar sentiment he has expressed in Romans 13:8-10; see the notes at that passage. The turn here in the discussion is worthy of particular notice. With great skill he changes the subject from a doctrinal argument to a strain of practical remark, and furnishes most important…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For all the law is fulfilled in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself - inasmuch as none can do this without loving God, Jo1 4:12; and the love of God and man includes all perfection. Lev 19:18. Galatians 5:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:14 the whole law can be summed up (or the whole law is fulfilled): Christ’s followers fulfill the law by exercising love toward every neighbor (Lev 19:18; see Matt 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; 15:9-17; Rom 13:8-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“all: Mat 7:12, Mat 19:18, Mat 19:19, Mat 22:39, Mat 22:40; Rom 13:8-10; Jam 2:8-11 Thou: Lev 19:18, Lev 19:34; Mar 12:31, Mar 12:33; Luk 10:27-37; Ti1 1:5 Galatians 5:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification