Galatians 5 Study Notes

5:15 The phrase bite and devour one another probably looks back to “an opportunity for the flesh” (v. 13) and looks forward to parts of the listing of “the works of the flesh” (vv. 19-21). Paul had apparently heard that there was serious dissension in the churches of Galatia. He warned them that such attitudes and behavior would consume them.

5:16-18 The Galatian believers were at enmity spiritually. This ongoing struggle of strong desires (Gk epithumia, “craving, desire”) is why it was necessary to consciously walk by the Spirit in faith (v. 5). This was the only way not to carry out the desire of the flesh. The evidence of the Spirit’s leading is “the fruit of the Spirit” (vv. 22-23).

The Greek noun pneuma comes from the related verb pneo, meaning to blow, and thus can mean breath, wind, air, ghost, or spirit. In the NT, pneuma is almost always used to mean spirit in reference to living beings—humans, angels, demons, and especially the Holy Spirit (about 240x).

Three NT writers emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit: Luke, John, and Paul. Luke referred to the filling of the Spirit fourteen times; each case involves a special work for a specific task, usually proclamation (Lk 1:15-17,41-45,67-79; 4:1-15; Ac 4:8-12; 7:55-60; 13:9-11). John the Baptist (Mt 3:11; Jn 1:33) and Jesus (Ac 1:4-8) promised that the Spirit would come to baptize believers, and this was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Ac 2:1-4). Paul explained that the Spirit teaches believers to live by faith according to God’s grace and thus to overcome the power of sin (Rm 8:1-26; Gl 5:16-26). Paul’s expressions walk by/according to/live by the Spirit (Rm 8:4; Gl 5:16,25) and led by the Spirit (Rm 8:14; Gl 5:18) refer to this sanctifying work of the Spirit in the life of the believer.

5:19-21 The “flesh” is usually understood as the sinful nature of mankind that continues even after a person becomes a Christian. Some interpreters take it to mean mankind in its unsaved state with its sinful thoughts and behavioral patterns continuing after conversion. When the desire of the flesh has the upper hand, the works of the flesh are obvious (Gk phaneros, “evident, visible”). Some are gross sins, but many are often viewed as “acceptable” behavior. Paul’s point is that this type of behavior as a pattern of life (practice) is enough to cause a person not to inherit the kingdom of God (see the list in 1Co 6:9-10). Thus, a legalist cannot be justified by “the works of the law” (Gl 2:16), and a licentious person is excluded from the kingdom of God by the works of the flesh.

5:22-23 The fruit illustration calls to mind the vine and the branches that produce fruit (Jn 15:1-5). The mention of love first in the list looks back to Gl 5:6,13-14. Such loving behavior comes through the power of the Holy Spirit by faith. Self-control (Gk egkrateia, “holding in passions and appetites”) is placed last in the list for emphasis, because all the works of the flesh reflect lack of self-control. There is no need for prohibitive law when people’s lives exhibit love and self-control.

5:24-26 Christians belong to Christ Jesus and have been crucified with him (2:19-20) along with their passions and desires. Such crucifixion is followed by resurrection living—by the Spirit (2Co 5:17). The logical way to live is to follow the Spirit and not lapse back into the passions and desires of the flesh (Gl 5:19-21).