Pastor Marco Ambriz

Aug 4, 2024

Galatians 5:13–26 (NRSV)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 

The Works of the Flesh

16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

The Fruit of the Spirit

22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And 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 be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. 

Study

5:13 FREE. What Paul has written about freedom from the law could be misunderstood to be a license to indulge in one’s appetites, and certainly he does not mean that. So he begins this new section on Christian living by examining the use of freedom.

Consider (vv. 7–15): What was Paul communicating through the images in these verses? What would it mean for us to use our freedom “as an opportunity for the flesh”?

Dig Deeper (v. 14): Read Jesus’s summary of the Old Testament law in Matthew 22:37–40. How do his words speak to the issue of circumcision in Galatians 5?

5:20 IDOLATRY. The worship of any idol, be it a carved image of God (a statue) or an abstract substitute for God (a status symbol). An idol is identified as such because when faced with a choice, a person will follow its leading. Money becomes an idol when to gain it a person will do anything. HATREDS. This is the underlying political, social, and religious hostility which drives individuals and communities apart. STRIFE. This is the type of contention which leads to factions. SELFISH AMBITIONS. This word has come to refer to anyone who works only for his or her own good and not for the benefit of others. FACTIONS. This means the party spirit which leads people to regard those with whom they disagree as enemies.

5:21 NOT INHERIT. The issue here is not sins into which one falls but sin as a lifestyle. These are evidence of a life not controlled by the Spirit, and therefore, the implication is that such a person has not been born from above and become a child of God.

Consider (vv. 16–21): How have you experienced this “tug of war” between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit? Why do Christians still experience the desires of the flesh?

5:22 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. These are the traits which characterize the child of God. The list is representative and not exhaustive. LOVE. Agapē (self-giving, active benevolence). In contrast, there is eros (sexual love), philos (warm feelings to friends and family), and storgē (family affection).

Consider (vv. 22–26): How do we cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our everyday lives?

Apply: What is the biggest challenge you are currently facing in your spiritual life? What is the biggest victory you have achieved in your spiritual life? (Coleman, Lyman. Life Connections Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bibles, 2019.)

5:23 THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST SUCH THINGS. Following the rules of the Bible cannot transform our character. Without the Holy Spirit, all we can do is “sin management.” The Holy Spirit is the only one who can transform us from within. 

5:25 IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT. Walking in the Spirit is about our orientation toward Jesus rather than our performance.

Apply: Where can you open your life more to love of God and love of others?