This I say then, walk in the Spirit
The advice the apostle thinks fit to give, and which he would
have observed, is, to "walk in the Spirit", that is, either after
the Spirit of God; making the word inspired by him the rule of
behaviour, which as it is the standard of faith, so of practice,
and is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path;
taking him himself for a guide, who not only guides into all
truth, but in the way of holiness and righteousness unto the land
of uprightness; and depending upon his grace and strength for
assistance throughout the whole of our walk and conversation: or
in the exercise of the graces of the Spirit of God; as in the
exercise of faith upon the person and grace of Christ, of which
the Spirit is the author; and in love to God, Christ, and one
another, which is a fruit of the Spirit; and in humility,
lowliness of mind, meekness and condescension; all which is to
walk in the Spirit, or spiritually, and strengthens the argument
for love the apostle is upon: and this he encourages to by
observing,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh;
he does not say there shall be no flesh, nor any lust of the
flesh in them if they walk spiritually; or that the flesh should
not act and operate in them; or that they should do no sinful
action; all which is only true of Christ; and the contrary is to
be found and observed in all true Christians, though ever so
spiritual; but that they should not fulfil or perfect the lust of
the flesh; should not give up themselves entirely to the power
and dictates of the flesh, so as to be under it and at its
command, and be obedient servants and slaves unto it; for, in
this sense only, such that are spiritual do not, commit sin, they
do not make a trade of it, it is not their constant employ or
course of conversation.