Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Corinthians Ephesians
Galatians 5
Concise Complete
An earnest exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of
the gospel. (1-12) To take heed of indulging a sinful temper. (13-15) And to
walk in the Spirit, and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh: the works of both
are described. (16-26)
Verses 1-6
Christ will not be the Saviour of any who will not own and rely upon him as
their only Saviour. Let us take heed to the warnings and persuasions of the
apostle to stedfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the gospel. All true
Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal life, the reward
of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in
Christ; and not for the sake of their own works. The Jewish convert might
observe the ceremonies or assert his liberty, the Gentile might disregard them
or might attend to them, provided he did not depend upon them. No outward
privileges or profession will avail to acceptance with God, without sincere
faith in our Lord Jesus. True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God,
and to our brethren. May we be of the number of those who, through the Spirit,
wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. The danger of old was not in things
of no consequence in themselves, as many forms and observances now are. But
without faith working by love, all else is worthless, and compared with it other
things are of small value.
Verses 7-12 The
life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if he would
obtain the prize. It is not enough that we profess Christianity, but we must run
well, by living up to that profession. Many who set out fairly in religion, are
hindered in their progress, or turn out of the way. It concerns those who begin
to turn out of the way, or to tire in it, seriously to inquire what hinders
them. The opinion or persuasion, ver.
8 , was, no doubt, that
of mixing the works of the law with faith in Christ in justification. The
apostle leaves them to judge whence it must arise, but sufficiently shows that
it could be owing to none but Satan. It is dangerous for Christian churches to
encourage those who follow, but especially who spread, destructive errors. And
in reproving sin and error, we should always distinguish between the leaders and
the led. The Jews were offended, because Christ was preached as the only
salvation for sinners. If Paul and others would have admitted that the
observance of the law of Moses was to be joined with faith in Christ, as
necessary to salvation, then believers might have avoided many of the sufferings
they underwent. The first beginnings of such leaven should be opposed. And
assuredly those who persist in disturbing the church of Christ must bear their
judgment.
Verses 13-15
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 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.
Verses 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,
Ro 6:12, for they seek to destroy it. Christ never will own those who yield
themselves up to be the servants of sin. And it is not enough that we cease to
do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be
answerable to the principle which guides and governs us,
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.
Chapter 5:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 Corinthians Ephesians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
