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Summary

Galatians 5:1–6 – Stand Firm in Freedom

What happens: Paul says Christ set us free; stand firm and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. If they accept circumcision as a requirement, Christ will profit them nothing. In Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts, but faith working through love.

What it means: God calls His people to freedom that expresses itself in loving trust. Religious badges cannot make anyone right with God. The cross alone saves, and love is faith’s fruit.

Galatians 5:7–12 – Beware False Persuasion

What happens: They ran well, but someone hindered them with false teaching. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Paul wishes the agitators who demand circumcision would cut themselves off entirely.

What it means: Error spreads and must be confronted. God’s holiness and the gospel’s purity protect the church. Courage in truth serves love.

Galatians 5:13–18 – Freedom to Serve by the Spirit

What happens: Do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. The whole law is fulfilled in “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

What it means: Grace produces love, not license. The Spirit empowers real obedience that pleases God. True freedom is serving others.

Galatians 5:19–26 – Works of the Flesh and Fruit of the Spirit

What happens: Paul lists the works of the flesh and warns that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. He then lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh and should keep in step with the Spirit.

What it means: God’s kingdom has moral shape. The Spirit grows Christlike character in God’s people. Believers live out holiness from a new heart.

Application

  • Stand firm in Christ’s freedom and refuse performance badges.
  • Confront teaching that dilutes the gospel.
  • Serve others in love as the Spirit leads.
  • Cultivate the Spirit’s fruit and resist the flesh.

Bible

1Stand 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.

13For, 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.

16This 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.

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