Galatians 5

King James Version

Full text for Galatians Chapter 5

1¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you.

9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16[This] I say then, Walk in 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: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul exhorts the Galatians to stand firm in the liberty granted by Christ, warning that seeking justification through the law, such as circumcision, nullifies Christ's benefit and leads to a fall from grace. He contrasts this legalism with a life guided by the Spirit, which produces virtues like love and peace, rather than the destructive works of the flesh. True Christian liberty is to be used to serve one another in love, thereby fulfilling the essence of the law.

Medium Summary

The Apostle Paul urges believers to maintain their freedom in Christ, cautioning against returning to the bondage of the law, specifically circumcision, which he states renders Christ's work ineffective and obligates one to the entire law. He asserts that justification is by faith through the Spirit, not by legalistic adherence, and that true faith works through love. Paul warns against false teachers who corrupt the community and then clarifies that Christian liberty is not an excuse for carnal indulgence, but rather an opportunity to serve one another in love, fulfilling the law's core command. He contrasts the destructive 'works of the flesh' with the life-giving 'fruit of the Spirit,' such as love, joy, and peace. Believers are called to walk in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling fleshly lusts and to demonstrate their belonging to Christ by crucifying the flesh.

Long Summary

The Apostle Paul passionately calls the Galatians to stand fast in the liberty bestowed by Christ, warning them against becoming entangled once more in the yoke of legalistic bondage. He explicitly states that if they submit to circumcision as a means of justification, Christ will profit them nothing, for such an act obligates one to fulfill the entirety of the Mosaic Law. Consequently, those who seek justification by the law are declared to have fallen from grace, as true righteousness is awaited through the Spirit by faith. Paul emphasizes that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds any spiritual value, but only "faith which worketh by love." He expresses concern that they were running well and questions who hindered their obedience to the truth, likening the corrupting influence of false teaching to a small amount of leaven affecting the whole lump. Paul affirms his confidence in their faithfulness but assures that those who trouble them will face judgment. He then clarifies that the liberty they have received is not an occasion for the flesh but a call to serve one another through love, asserting that the entire law is encapsulated in the command to "love thy neighbour as thyself." A stark warning is given against internal strife, urging them not to "bite and devour one another." The chapter then shifts to a crucial exhortation to "walk in the Spirit" to avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh, explaining that the flesh and the Spirit are in constant opposition. Paul enumerates the manifest "works of the flesh," including various immoral and destructive behaviors, stating unequivocally that those who practice such things "shall not inherit the kingdom of God." In contrast, he lists the "fruit of the Spirit"—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance—against which "there is no law." He concludes by reminding believers that those who belong to Christ have "crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts," and therefore, if they live in the Spirit, they must also walk in the Spirit, avoiding vain glory, provocation, and envy.

Core Concepts

  • Christian LibertyThis concept refers to the freedom from the bondage of the Mosaic Law and its rituals, particularly circumcision, which is achieved through Christ. Believers are urged to stand firm in this liberty, not to return to legalism, but also not to use it as an excuse for fleshly indulgence.
  • Justification by FaithThe chapter strongly argues that righteousness is attained through faith in Christ and the Spirit, not through adherence to the law or practices like circumcision. Seeking justification by the law is presented as falling from grace and rendering Christ's work ineffective.
  • Faith Working by LoveThis is presented as the defining characteristic of a believer in Christ, where neither circumcision nor uncircumcision holds significance, but rather a faith that is active and expressed through love. This love is also identified as the fulfillment of the entire law.
  • Works of the FleshA detailed list of sinful behaviors and attitudes, such as adultery, idolatry, hatred, and drunkenness, which are contrary to God's will. Those who practice these things are warned that they shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Fruit of the SpiritA list of virtues and positive character traits, including love, joy, peace, and goodness, that are produced in a believer's life when they are led by the Holy Spirit. These qualities demonstrate a life lived in accordance with God's will, against which no law exists.
  • Walking in the SpiritThis is the command to live and conduct oneself according to the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, which enables believers to overcome the desires of the flesh. This spiritual walk is presented as the alternative to being under the law and leads to the production of the Spirit's fruit.
  • Crucifying the FleshThis concept refers to the act of putting to death or rejecting the sinful desires and affections of the human nature that oppose the Spirit. It is presented as a characteristic of those who belong to Christ, enabling them to live and walk in the Spirit.