Galatians 5:17

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, etc..] 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 heart, it shows itself in the flesh or members of the body, which are yielded as instruments of unrighteousness; and it makes and denominates men carnal, even believers themselves so far as it prevails: by…”

“For--the reason why walking by the Spirit will exclude fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, namely, their mutual contrariety. the Spirit--not "lusteth," but "tendeth (or some such word is to be supplied) against the flesh." so that ye cannot do the things that ye would--The Spirit strives against the flesh and its evil influence; the flesh against the Spirit and His good influence, so that neither the one nor the other can be fully carried out into action. "But" (Gal 5:18) where "the Spirit" prevails, the issue of the struggle no longer continues doubtful (Rom 7:15-20) [BENGEL]. The Greek is, "that ye may not do the things that ye would." "The flesh and Spirit are contrary one to the other,"…”

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit - The inclinations and desires of the flesh are contrary to those of the Spirit. They draw us away in an opposite direction, and while the Spirit of God would lead us one way, our carnal nature would lead us another, and thus produce the painful controversy which exists in our minds. The word “Spirit” here refers to the Spirit of God, and to his influences on the heart. And these are contrary ... - They are opposite in their nature. They never can harmonize; see Romans 8:6-7; compare below Galatians 5:19-23. The contrariety Paul has illustrated by showing what each produces; and they are as opposite as adultery, wrath, strife, murders, drunkenness,…”

“For the flesh desireth against the Spirit - Nature desires what is quite contrary to the Spirit of God. But the Spirit against the flesh - - But the Holy Spirit on his part opposes your evil nature. These are contrary to each other - The flesh and the Spirit; there can be no agreement between them. That ye may not do the things which ye would - - That, being thus strengthened by the Spirit, ye may not fulfil the desire of the flesh, as otherwise ye would do. Galatians 5:18”

“5:17 We cannot simply decide to keep the law and not sin: A war rages between God’s Spirit and our sinful nature (see Rom 7:14-25; 1 Pet 2:11; cp. Gen 4:7). The answer is not human effort at law-keeping, but living by God’s Spirit. When we are resurrected, we will finally be freed from sin (see Rom 8:18-25).”

“the flesh: Psa 19:12, Psa 19:13, Psa 51:1-5, Psa 51:10-12, Psa 65:3, Psa 119:5, Psa 119:20, Psa 119:24, Psa 119:25, Psa 119:32, Psa 119:35, Psa 119:40, Psa 119:133, Psa 119:159; Psa 119:176; Ecc 7:20; Isa 6:5; Mat 16:17, Mat 16:23, Mat 26:41; Joh 3:6; Rom 7:18, Rom 7:21-25, Rom 8:5, Rom 8:6, Rom 8:13; Jam 4:5, Jam 4:6 and these: Gal 3:21; Mat 12:30; Rom 7:7, Rom 7:8, Rom 7:10-14, Rom 8:5-8 so: Psa 119:4-6, Psa 130:3; Mat 5:6; Luk 22:33, Luk 22:46, Luk 22:54-61; Rom 7:15-23; Phi 3:12-16; Jam 3:2; Jo1 1:8-10 Galatians 5:18”