13 For you were called to freedom , brethren ; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh , but through love serve one another . 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word , in the statement, " YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF ." 15 But if you bite and devour one another , take care that you are not consumed by one another .
16 But I say , walk by the Spirit , and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh . 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit , and the Spirit against the flesh ; for these are in opposition to one another , so that you may not do the things that you please . 18 But if you are led by the Spirit , you are not under the Law . 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident , which are: immorality , impurity , sensuality , 20 idolatry , sorcery , enmities , strife , jealousy , outbursts of anger , disputes , dissensions , factions , 21 envying , drunkenness , carousing , and things like these , of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God . 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love , joy , peace , patience , kindness , goodness , faithfulness , 23 gentleness , self-control ; against such things there is no law . 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires . 25 If we live by the Spirit , let us also walk by the Spirit . 26 Let us not become boastful , challenging one another , envying one another .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 5:13-26
Commentary on Galatians 5:13-15
(Read Galatians 5:13-15)
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1 Timothy 6:3, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another, quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace, that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live.
Commentary on Galatians 5:16-26
(Read Galatians 5:16-26)
If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant of works, nor exposed to its awful curse. Their hatred of sin, and desires after holiness, show that they have a part in the salvation of the gospel. The works of the flesh are many and manifest. And these sins will shut men out of heaven. Yet what numbers, calling themselves Christians, live in these, and say they hope for heaven! The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy. The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavour of all real Christians. Sin does not now reign in their mortal bodies, so that they obey it, Romans 8:5. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits, which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.