Galatians 5:25

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 5:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
Galatians 5:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If we live in the Spirit, etc..] Or “by the Spirit”, as all do that are spiritually alive. Sin has not only brought on men a corporeal death, and made them liable to an eternal one, but has also induced upon them a spiritual or moral death; they are dead in trespasses and sin, nor can they quicken themselves, nor can any creature give them life; not the ministers of the word, nor the angels in heaven, only the blessed Spirit is the spirit of life from Christ; who entering into them, frees them from the law of sin and death, and implants a principle of spiritual life in them, whereby they live a life of faith on Christ, of holiness from him, and communion with him: and this the apostle makes…”
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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
“in . . . in--rather, as Greek, "If we live (see on Gal 5:24) BY the Spirit, let us also walk (Gal 5:16; Gal 6:16) BY the Spirit." Let our life in practice correspond to the ideal inner principle of our spiritual life, namely, our standing by faith as dead to, and severed from, sin, and the condemnation of the law. "Life by (or 'in') the Spirit" is not an occasional influence of the Spirit, but an abiding state, wherein we are continually alive, though sometimes sleeping and inactive.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If we live in the Spirit - See the note at Galatians 5:16. The sense of this verse probably is, “We who are Christians profess to be under the influences of the Holy Spirit. By his influences and agency is our spiritual life. We profess not to be under the dominion of the flesh; not to be controlled by its appetites and desires. Let us then act in this manner, and as if we believed this. Let us yield ourselves to his influences, and show that we are controlled by that Spirit.” It is an earnest exhortation to Christians to yield wholly to the agency of the Holy Spirit on their hearts, and to submit to his guidance; see Romans 8:5, note9, note. 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
“If we live by the Spirit - If we are indeed raised from the dead, and are alive to God, by the operation of his Spirit. Let us walk by the Spirit - Let us follow his guidance, in all our tempers, thoughts, words, and actions. Galatians 5:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:25 Christians do not live by the law but follow the Spirit’s leading.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“we: Joh 6:63; Rom 8:2, Rom 8:10; Co1 15:45; Co2 3:6; Pe1 4:6; Rev 11:11 let: Gal 5:16; Rom 8:4, Rom 8:5 Galatians 5:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification