Galatians 5:22-23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 5:22

(22) The fruit of the Spirit.—There does not seem to be any essential difference between this term and that used above: “the works of the flesh.” The fruit of the Spirit is that which naturally grows out of the operation of the Spirit, in which it naturally results. The expression “fruit” is, however, generally used by St. Paul in a good sense.The list which follows brings out in a striking manner the peculiar finish and perfection which belongs to the Christian morality. It will be seen at a... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 5:23

(23) Meekness, temperance.—”Meekness” is something more than “mildness,” which has been suggested as an alternative translation. “Mildness” would represent that side of the virtue which is turned towards men; but it has also another side, which is turned towards God—a gentle submissiveness to the divine will. By “temperance” is meant, in a general sense, “self-control”—a firm control over the passions.Against such—i.e., “against such things;” not, as it was understood by many of the older... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Galatians 5:1-26

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:16-26

Chapter 23CHRIST’S SPIRIT AND HUMAN FLESH.Galatians 5:16-26LOVE is the guard of Christian freedom. The Holy Spirit is its guide. These principles accomplish what the law could never do. It withheld liberty, and yet did not give purity. The Spirit of love and of sonship bestows both, establishing a happy, ordered freedom, the liberty of the sons of God.From the first of these two factors of Christian ethics the Apostle passes in Galatians 5:16 to the second. He conducts us from the consequence... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:22-23

Chapter 25THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.Galatians 5:22-23"THE tree is known by its fruits." Such was the criterion of religious profession laid down by the Founder of Christianity. This test His religion applies in the first instance to itself. It proclaims a final judgment for all men; it submits itself to the present judgment of all men-a judgment resting in each case on the same ground, namely that of fruit, of moral issue and effects. For character is the true summum bonum; it is the thing which... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Galatians 5:1-26

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 5:22

5:22 But the {k} fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,(k) Therefore they are not the fruits of free will, but only as far forth as our will is made free by grace. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Galatians 5:23

5:23 Meekness, temperance: {17} against such there is no law.(17) Lest that any man should object that Paul plays the deceiver, as one who urging the Spirit urges nothing but that which the Law commands, he shows that he requires not that literal and outward obedience, but spiritual, which proceeds not from the Law but from the Spirit of Christ, who gives us new birth, and must and ought to be the ruler and guider of our life. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:1-26

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:1-26

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

Group of Brands