Chapter with Audio
4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Paul's Concern for the Galatians
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Chapter Analysis
Galatians 5: Stand Fast In The Freedom Of Christ
Stand Fast In Liberty
📖 Galatians 5:1–6
¹ Christ has made believers free, so they must stand fast and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ² Paul warns that if they receive circumcision as a requirement for standing before God, Christ will profit them nothing. ³ Every man who receives circumcision in that way becomes obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ Those who seek to be justified by the law are separated from Christ and have fallen from grace. ⁵ Through the Spirit, by faith, believers eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ In Christ Jesus, circumcision or uncircumcision has no saving power, but faith working through love.
🔹 The Truth
Christ has made believers free.
Believers must not return to the yoke of bondage.
Seeking justification by the law turns a person away from grace.
In Christ, outward religious marks do not justify.
True faith works through love.
🔹 The Promise
In Christ, believers have freedom and the hope of righteousness through the Spirit by faith.
✅ Conclusion
Galatians 5 begins with a clear call: stand fast in the freedom Christ has given. The believer’s standing before God is not based on law-keeping, but on Christ, received by faith.
Called To Freedom, Not The Flesh
📖 Galatians 5:7–15
⁷ The Galatians had been running well, but someone hindered them from obeying the truth. ⁸ This persuasion did not come from Him who called them. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ Paul had confidence in the Lord that they would think no other way, but the one troubling them would bear judgment. ¹¹ If Paul still preached circumcision, then the offense of the cross would have ceased. ¹² Paul wished those troubling them would cut themselves off. ¹³ Believers were called to freedom, but they must not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Instead, through love, they are to serve one another. ¹⁴ The whole law is fulfilled in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if they bite and devour one another, they must beware lest they be consumed by one another.
🔹 The Truth
False teaching hinders believers from obeying the truth.
A little false teaching can spread and affect the whole body.
The cross is offensive to those who want righteousness through the law.
Freedom in Christ must not be used as an opportunity for the flesh.
Believers are called to serve one another through love.
🔹 The Promise
Freedom in Christ enables believers to love and serve one another.
✅ Conclusion
Christian freedom is not permission to live for the flesh. Christ frees believers from bondage so they can serve one another in love.
Walk By The Spirit
📖 Galatians 5:16–18
¹⁶ Paul says to walk by the Spirit, and believers will not fulfill the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ The flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh. These are opposed to each other, so that believers do not simply do whatever they wish. ¹⁸ But if believers are led by the Spirit, they are not under the law.
🔹 The Truth
Believers are called to walk by the Spirit.
The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to one another.
Victory over the flesh does not come through the law, but through walking by the Spirit.
Those led by the Spirit are not under the law.
🔹 The Promise
Those who walk by the Spirit will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.
✅ Conclusion
The Christian life is not lived by self-effort under law, but by walking in the Spirit. The Spirit leads believers in the life that pleases God.
The Works Of The Flesh
📖 Galatians 5:19–21
¹⁹ The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, uncleanness, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, factions, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and things like these. Paul warns, as he warned before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
🔹 The Truth
The works of the flesh are evident.
The flesh produces sinful actions, corrupt desires, broken relationships, and rebellion against God.
Practicing the works of the flesh marks a life outside submission to Christ.
Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
🔹 The Promise
God warns clearly so that people will not be deceived about the seriousness of sin.
✅ Conclusion
Paul does not treat sin lightly. The works of the flesh reveal what fallen man produces apart from the Spirit. Those who belong to Christ must not walk in these things.
The Fruit Of The Spirit
📖 Galatians 5:22–26
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If believers live by the Spirit, they should also walk by the Spirit. ²⁶ They must not become conceited, provoking one another or envying one another.
🔹 The Truth
The fruit of the Spirit is produced by the Spirit, not by the flesh.
The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Believers who live by the Spirit must also walk by the Spirit.
🔹 The Promise
The Holy Spirit produces His fruit in those who belong to Christ and walk by Him.
✅ Conclusion
The fruit of the Spirit shows the character God forms in His people. Believers do not overcome the flesh by returning to the law, but by living and walking by the Spirit.
Overall Conclusion
Galatians 5 calls believers to stand fast in the freedom Christ has given.
This freedom is not freedom to serve the flesh, but freedom to walk by the Spirit, love one another, and bear the fruit of the Spirit.
The chapter clearly contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Those who belong to Christ are called to reject the flesh, walk by the Spirit, and live in the liberty of grace.
Final Questions For You
- Why must believers stand fast in the freedom Christ has given?
- How can freedom in Christ be wrongly used as an opportunity for the flesh?
- What fruit of the Spirit do you most desire to see growing in your life right now?