THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
GALATIANS

Galatians 5

1Paul exhorteth the Galatians to maintain their Christian liberty, 2and sheweth that by being circumcised they would forfeit their hopes in Christ. 7He disclaimeth the preaching of circumcision himself, and condemneth it in others. 13He adviseth them not to abuse their liberty, but to serve one another in love, which comprehendeth the whole law. 16The opposition between the flesh and the Spirit: 19the works of the flesh: 22the fruits of the Spirit. 25Advice to walk in the Spirit, and not in vainglorious emulation.


1STAND1 fast thereforea2in the liberty wherewith 3Christ hath made us free, and be not 4entangled 5again withb6the yoke of bondage.

1 That is, continue steadfast without turning away. See 1 Cor. 16:13.

a John 8:32; Rom. 6:18; 1 Peter 2:16.

2 Namely, from the bondage of the law, of which is mentioned in the previous chapters.

3 Namely, Who has freed us from the curse and constraint of the law, and has fulfilled and abolished all the ceremonies of the law. See John 8:36.

4 That is, bound and fastened thereto, as it were, with cords and snares. A similitude taken from oxen, on whose horns men bind fast the yoke to constrain them.

5 As you were subject formerly to the bondage of idols and are freed from it, do not again undergo a new bondage of ceremonies. See Gal. 4:8.

b Isa. 9:4.

6 That is, the difficult and troublesome observation of the ceremonies, which Peter, Acts 15:10, calls an unbearable yoke.

2Behold, 7I Paul say unto you, 8that ifc ye be circumcised, 9Christ shall profit you nothing.

7 Namely, who am an apostle of Jesus Christ, called thereunto, not of men nor by men, but by God. See Gal. 1:1. Therefore he places his apostolic authority over against the esteem of the false apostles.

8 Or, if ye suffer yourselves to be circumcised, namely, with such an opinion that circumcision is yet necessary to salvation, and that you shall be justified thereby.

c Acts 15:1.

9 That is, that then you have no part in the righteousness of Christ. For, they, who seek to set up their own righteousness, are not subject to the righteousness of God, Rom. 10:3. And he who holds circumcision necessary still, he thereby denies that Christ has fulfilled that which was pre-figured thereby.

3For I testify again to every man 10that is circumcised, that he is 11a debtor to do 12the whole law.

10 Or, who suffers himself to be circumcised, as before in verse 2.

11 That is, that he thereby engages and obliges himself.

12 That is, to keep the law perfect in everything to be justified by the law; which, seeing no man does or now can do, therefore all who seek their righteousness in the law are subject to the curse, Deut. 27:26; James 2:10.

4Christ is become of 13no effect unto you, whosoever of you 14are justified by the law; ye are 15fallen from 16grace.

13 Gr. ye are made vain, or brought to nought from Christ, that is, although you would mingle Christ’s righteousness with the law, that cannot profit you, seeing such mingling is impossible, and the righteousness of Christ is brought to nought, if righteousness is by the law, Gal. 2:21.

14 Or, wilt be justified.

15 That is, would relapse, if you wanted to be justified by the law. Or, this he speaks not in respect of true believers, who never totally nor finally fall from the grace of God, 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 3:9, but in respect of hypocrites, who seemed to stand in the grace of God, and are said to fall from the same, when they are made known and manifest, that they never stood in the grace of God, 1 John 2:19.

16 That is, from the favor of God, and consequently from all God’s benefits which flow from it, such as are effectual calling, faith, remission of sins, justification, sanctification and eternal life. For, to be justified by works and by grace, cannot exist together, Rom. 11:6.

5For 17we 18through the Spirit 19wait for the hope of righteousness 20by faith.

17 Namely, believers from among the Jews, to whom the law was given; how much more than ought you, who are of the Gentiles and have not had the law, to seek righteousness also by faith and not by the law, Gal. 2:15, 16.

18 Namely, of God, Who works this confidence in us.

19 That is, are confident that we have righteousness, and shall certainly obtain the fruit thereof, which we now hope for, Rom. 8:24; Titus 2:13.

20 Namely, in Christ; whereby we receive the merits of Christ, and not by the works of the law.

6Ford21in Jesus Christ neither 22circumcision 23availeth any thing, nor 24uncircumcision; but 25faith which 26workethe27by love.

d Mat. 12:50; John 15:14; 1 Cor. 7:19; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15. Col. 3:11.

21 That is, now in the Kingdom of Christ under the New Testament, to be a Christian.

22 That is, all the ceremonies and advantages, which in former times, were given to the Jews.

23 Namely, to justify.

24 That is, to be uncircumcised, that neither advances nor hinders salvation. See Rom. 3:30.

25 Namely, has only that virtue, as being an instrument whereby we receive and are made partakers of the righteousness of Christ.

26 Or, being operative and active.

e 1 Thes. 1:3.

27 That is, by showing forth the works of love towards God and our neighbor. Whereby true faith is distinguished from the outward profession of faith of hypocrites, which is a dead faith, and cannot save. See James 2:14, 20, 26. By this description he also answers the calumny of the false teachers, who taught that the doctrine of justification by faith only made men careless and ungodly.

7Ye 28did run well; 29whof did hinder you that ye should 30not obey 31the truth?

28 Namely, in the race of true faith, that is, adhering to the true doctrine of justification and Christian liberty. A similitude taken from those who contend in running of races. See 1 Cor. 9:24, 26; Philip. 3:14.

29 That is, stopped and, as it were, cut off your course. This he asks, as admiring at their great unsteadfastness in pure doctrine, and right away he lays the principal blame hereof on the deceivers, to show them that he believed that they sinned out of weakness and not out of wickedness, and so to gain them the better.

f Gal. 3:1.

30 That is, not to receive, not to believe, and not to continue steadfastly therein.

31 Namely, of a man’s justification of grace by faith, without works, Gal. 2:5.

832This persuasion cometh not of 33him that calleth you.

32 Gr. this making-believe, or credulity persuasion, namely, of the false apostles, who persuade you and seek to make you believe that righteousness is also by the law, and not only by Christ.

33 Namely, God or Christ. See Gal. 1:6, and for this cause not good, nor agreeable to the truth.

934Ag little leavenh leaveneth the whole lump.

34 See of this similitude, 1 Cor. 5:6. By this leaven may be understood either the false doctrine itself, as Mat. 16:6, 12, or, the men who promoted this doctrine, who, although they were few, yet nevertheless did much hurt to corrupt in time the entire congregation, and therefore must be eschewed the more.

g 1 Cor. 5:6.

h yeast, fermented dough*

10 Ii have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be 35none otherwise minded: but 36he that troubleth you shall bear 37his judgment, 38whosoever he be.

i 2 Cor. 2:3; 8:22.

35 Namely, as I have taught you, and still teach you in this epistle.

36 That is, disquiets your conscience with false and strange doctrine, and disturbs the peace of the congregation.

37 That is, be justly and certainly punished by God. An Hebrew phrase, see Mat. 23:14.

38 That is, who is guilty thereof, in what esteem so ever he may be.

11And I, brethren, if I 39yet preach 40circumcision, 41why do I yet suffer persecution? then is 42thej offence of the cross 43ceased.

39 Namely, as I urged it when I was yet a Pharisee, with such an opinion that I would be justified thereby.

40 That is, teach that circumcision and the other ceremonies of the law are necessary to be observed unto salvation, as the false apostles slander about me.

41 That is, that this slander is untrue appears by the persecutions, which the Jews daily lay upon me for no other cause but because I teach that circumcision and other ceremonies are abolished by Christ.

42 That is, the offense which the Jews take from the Christian doctrine, whereby is taught that Christ, by His crucifixion and death only has redeemed us from the curse, and procured salvation for us, 1 Cor. 1:23.

j 1 Cor. 1:23.

43 That is, would cease.

12 Ik would they were even 44cut off which 45trouble you.

k Joshua 7:25.

44 Namely, from the congregation and the fellowship of the faithful. This he wishes out of an apostolic zeal to the glory of God, and to the salvation of men, not out of a revengeful mind. Therefore this is not in conflict with Christ’s command, Mat. 5:44, nor to his own doctrine, Rom. 12:14.

45 That is, disquiet you, as verse 10.

13For, brethren, ye have been 46called 47unto liberty; onlyluse 48not liberty for 49an occasion to the flesh, but by love 50serve one another.

46 Namely, by God, and by Christ. See verse 8 and Gal. 1:6.

47 See verse 1.

l 1 Cor. 8:9; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude verse 4.

48 Previously he exhorted them to continue steadfast in Christian liberty; here he exhorts them further to the right use of the same.

49 That is, to misuse this liberty to the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh, and for a cloak for sin, 1 Peter 2:16.

50 That is, although you be free from the bondage of the law, yet nevertheless you must show to one another the services of love. For, although you are free from the ceremonial law, yet you are not free from the law of love, Rom. 13:8; 1 Peter 2:17.

14Form51all the law is 52fulfilled in 53one word, even in this; Thoun shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

m Rom. 13:8.

51 Or, the whole law, namely, of the second table, wherein God prescribes us how we must carry ourselves towards our neighbor. See Rom. 13:8.

52 That is, briefly and summarily contained as in one chief point. See Lev. 19:18; Mat. 22:39; Rom. 13:8.

53 That is, in one commandment, see Deut. 4:13.

n Lev. 19:18; Mat. 22:39; Mark 12:31; James 2:8.

15But ifo ye 54bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not 55consumed one of another.

o 2 Cor. 12:20.

54 That is, trouble and vex one another with contentions, reproaches and divisions about this point of Christian liberty.

55 That is, that through your divisions your faith be not weakened, and the welfare, peace and quiet of the congregation be not broken.

16This 56I say then, Walkp57in the Spirit, 58and ye shall not fulfil 59the lust of the flesh.

56 That is, this is what I want to say. See Gal. 3:17 and 4:1. He further declares here that which he had said in verse 13, and shows the means whereby the misuse of liberty may be avoided.

p Rom. 13:14; 1 Peter 2:11.

57 When spirit and flesh in a man are contrasted one to another, by the spirit is understood that part of the man which is regenerated by the Spirit, and by the flesh, the natural corruption which yet cleaves to the regenerate. See Rom. 8:1.

58 Or, and fulfill not, showing which fruit shall follow from this, when one walks according to the Spirit. And so then shall this be the means to prevent the misuse of liberty.

59 That is, the evil thoughts, inclinations, motions and lusts of the corrupt nature, which yet cleave to the regenerate.

17Forq the flesh 60lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are 61contrary the one to the other: so 62that ye cannot do the things that 63ye would.

q Rom. 7:15, etc.

60 That is, the evil lusts of the flesh strive against the good desires which the Holy Spirit raises up in the regenerate.

61 That is, are mutually contrary lusts.

62 That is, cannot always fulfill.

63 Namely, according to the good lusts and desires which the Holy Spirit has wrought in you; as also on the contrary, the desires of the Spirit hinder that you do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, Rom. 7:19, etc.

18But if ye be led 64of the Spirit, ye are 65not under the law.

64 Namely, so that the Spirit and the good desires, which He works in you, prevail in you, so that you permit yourselves to be led thereby in the ways of God.

65 That is, not under the constraint of the law, which arises from fear for the threat of the law, nor under the curse of the same, nor under the yoke of the ceremonies. For, this Spirit, Who leads the regenerate, is not the Spirit of bondage unto fear, but of adoption unto children, and of liberty, see Rom. 8:5; Gal. 4:6.

19Now ther works 66of the flesh 67are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, 68lasciviousness,

r 1 Cor. 3:3; James 3:14.

66 That is, which the flesh or the corruption of our nature produces, and wherein man’s corrupt nature takes pleasure.

67 That is, are sufficiently known, seeing one knows by the light of nature that they are evil, shameful and dishonorable. Or, cannot remain hidden, how much so ever the people seek to cover them.

68 That is, immodesty, wantonness, lewdness.

20Idolatry, 69witchcraft, hatred, variance, 70emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

69 Or, poisoning.

70 Or, jealousies, when one begrudges that it goes well with his neighbor, or seeks his own advantage with the loss and damage of his neighbor.

21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, 71revellings, and 72such like: ofs the which I tell you 73before, as I have also told you 74in time past, that they 75which do such things shall 76not 77inherit 78the kingdom of God.

71 See, Rom. 13:13; Eph. 5:18.

72 This is added, because there are yet many more and it would be too long to mention them all.

s 1 Cor. 6:10; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:6; Rev. 22:15.

73 That is, not only instruct you as a teacher, but also as a prophet certainly declare unto and warn you beforehand.

74 Namely 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Eph. 5:5.

75 That is, such and similar works of the flesh.

76 Namely, except they from their hearts repent of such sins.

77 That is, obtain and possess. For, this Kingdom is not obtained by merits, but by grace as an inheritance. See Mat. 19:29; 25:34; 1 Cor. 6:10.

78 Namely, the Kingdom of glory; or eternal salvation in heaven.

22Butt79the fruit of the Spirit is love, 80joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 81faith,

t Eph. 5:9.

79 That is, the works, which the Spirit of God works in the regenerate, and by which regeneration is known.

80 Namely, by the Holy Spirit, Rom. 14:17, arising from the assurance that we have peace with God.

81 That is, faithfulness in the promises and administration of his office.

23Meekness, 82temperance: againstu83such there 84is no law.

82 Or, chastity, abstaining from unlawful lusts.

u 1 Tim. 1:9.

83 That is, who exercise and show forth these and similar virtues in their life.

84 Namely, which shall condemn them. See verse 18.

24Andv they 85that are Christ’s 86have crucified the flesh with 87the affections and lusts.

v Rom. 6:6; 13:14; Gal. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:11.

85 That is, engrafted into Christ by a true faith, belong to Him; who are true Christians.

86 That is, are not only bound to mortify their corrupt nature and not to let it reign, but also actually do this by the power of the Spirit of Christ which they have received.

87 Namely, not the natural, but those which are contrary to the law of God, which proceed from the corrupt nature of man, Rom. 1:24, 26.

25If we live in 88the Spirit, let us also walk 89in the Spirit.

88 That is, are raised up by the Holy Spirit from the death of sin unto a new life.

89 That is, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our life, and of the Same bring forth the aforementioned fruits, Rom. 8:5, etc.

2690Let us not be 91desirous of vain glory, 92provoking one another, 93envying one another.

90 The apostle now further exhorts the Galatians to flee from some special sins, and to practice some special virtues. Wherefore some do begin the sixth chapter from this verse.

91 That is, that we would be ambitious to seek to rise above others, or to bear sway over others.

92 Gr. summoning, or challenging, namely, by contempt, reproaches, insults, or the like.

93 Namely, one another’s virtues, states, or conditions, which commonly proceeds from ambition, and is accompanied with the same.