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Galatians 5:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 5:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 5:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
← Galatians 5:17Galatians 5:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if ye be led by the Spirit, etc..] That is, of God, who is the guide and leader of his people. It is a metaphor taken from the leading of persons that are blind; as such are before conversion, and whom the Spirit of God leads in ways they knew not, and in paths they had not known: or from the leading of children, and teaching them to go; so the Spirit leads regenerate persons, and teaches them to walk by faith in Christ. This act of leading supposes life in the persons led, for dead men cannot be led; the Spirit is first a Spirit of life from Christ before he is a leader; and also it supposes some strength, though a good deal of weakness; were there no spiritual strength derived from…”
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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
“"If ye are led (give yourselves up to be led) by (Greek) the Spirit, ye are not under the law." For ye are not working the works of the flesh (Gal 5:16, Gal 5:19-21) which bring one "under the law" (Rom 8:2, Rom 8:14). The "Spirit makes free from the law of sin and death" (Gal 5:23). The law is made for a fleshly man, and for the works of the flesh (Ti1 1:9), "not for a righteous man" (Rom 6:14-15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But if ye be led of the Spirit - If you submit to the teachings and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ye are not under the law - You are under a different dispensation - the dispensation of the Spirit. You are free from the restraints and control of the Mosaic law, and are under the control of the Spirit of God. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“But if ye are led by the Spirit - Of liberty and love, into all holiness. Ye are not under the law - Not under the curse or bondage of it; not under the guilt or the power of sin. Galatians 5:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:18 Those who are directed by the Spirit are under the Spirit’s authority and not under obligation to the law. They do not answer to the law but to the Spirit of God. It was not Paul’s intent to justify civil disobedience (see Rom 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; cp. 1 Pet 2:13-17). He was addressing the means of obtaining spiritual righteousness before God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if: Gal 5:16, Gal 5:25, Gal 4:6; Psa 25:4, Psa 25:5, Psa 25:8, Psa 25:9, Psa 143:8-10; Pro 8:20; Isa 48:16-18; Eze 36:27; Joh 16:13; Rom 8:12, Rom 8:14; Ti2 1:7; Jo1 2:20-27 ye are: Gal 4:5; Rom 6:14, Rom 6:15 Galatians 5:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification