(14) This verse is another of the marked points of contact between this Epistle and that to the Romans. The theme of it is worked out at length in Romans 13:8-10.Thy neighbour.—In the original command this appears to mean “thy fellow Israelite.” Our Lord, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, had given it a wider signification, and in the same wider sense it is used here. read more
Christian Liberty Galatians 5:1 What is 'liberty?' Obedience to oneself; obedience to a law which is written in a man's own heart. If I obey myself, and myself is not a right self, it is, indeed, 'liberty,' but, being a bad liberty, it becomes 'licentiousness'. If I obey a law outside me, and the law within me is opposed to that outer law which I obey, the act I do may be quite right, and the only right one, but my obedience is not 'liberty,' it is compulsion; it is bondage. Liberty is when... read more
Chapter 22THE PERILS OF LIBERTY.Galatians 5:13-15OUR analysis has drawn a strong line across the middle of this chapter. At Galatians 5:13 the Apostle turns his mind in the ethical direction. He has dismissed "the troublers" with contempt in Galatians 5:12; and until the close of the Epistle does not mention them again; he addresses his readers on topics in which they are left out of view. But this third, ethical section of the letter is still continuous with its polemical and doctrinal... read more
III. THE WALK OF THE JUSTIFIED BELIEVER, AS NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE CHAPTER 5 1. Stand fast! Be not entangled! (Galatians 5:1-6 ) 2. Exhortations and the law of love. (Galatians 5:7-15 ) 3. Flesh and Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-21 ) 4. The Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-26 ) The first exhortation is to maintain, by faith, the liberty which is found in Christ, to stand fast in that liberty where with Christ has made the believer free and not to be entangled again with the... read more
5:14 {13} For {h} all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.(13) He sets forth the love of our neighbour, as a mark unto which all Christians ought to refer all their actions, and to that he cites the testimony of the Law.(h) This particle "all" must be limited to the second table of the ten commandments. read more
LIBERTY TO BE PRACTICED (vs.1-6) Chapter 4 dealt with the perfect freedom introduced by God Himself through Christ, freedom given to all who have been redeemed by His precious blood, freedom from the bondage of law in all its forms. It is not, however, freedom to walk in our own ways according to our own wills (for that is really bondage), but freedom from fear of judgment, freedom from the Law as a rule of life, freedom to walk with God in the blessedness of intimate communion with His own... read more
PRACTICAL APPLICATION In applying the doctrine Paul urges his readers to stand fast in the liberty of Christ (Galatians 5:1-12 ), but in doing so not to abuse that liberty (Galatians 5:13 to Galatians 6:10 ). He mentions four ways in which it may be abused: 1. Uncharitableness (Galatians 5:13-15 ) 2. Uncleanness (Galatians 5:16-25 ) 3. Pride (Galatians 5:26 to Galatians 6:5 ) 4. Selfishness (Galatians 6:6-10 ) The first-mentioned warning or exhortation speaks for itself. They were to cease... read more
(6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (7) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (8) This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. (9) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (10) I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (11) And I, brethren, if I yet preach... read more
All the law, as far as it regards our duty to our neighbour, is contained in this text of the apostle; he says the same in his epistle to the Romans, Chap. xiii. He that loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 5:13-15
(13-15) The Judaisers would deserve such a fate; for they are undoing the whole object with which you were called. You were called, not to legal bondage, but to freedom. This caution only is needed: Do not make freedom a pretext for self-indulgence. One servitude you may submit to—the service of love. So doing, you will fulfil the Law without being legalists. He who loves his neighbour as himself will need no other rule. On the other hand, dissensions will be fatal, not to one party only, but... read more