Galatians 5:17

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:16-17

‘But I say, “Walk by the Spirit and you will not fulfil the longing of the flesh. For the flesh longs against the Spirit, and the Spirit longs against the flesh. For these are contrary, the one to the other, that you may not do the things that you would.’ But how different that is from being a Christian. For a Christian walks by the Spirit, and in accordance with His will. They have previously learned that Christ lives in them in His resurrection life (Galatians 2:20), that they have received... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 5:13-26

Galatians 5:13 to Galatians 6:10 . Practical appendix to the epistle; in the form of “ guarding” the doctrine of free grace against antinomian abuse. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Galatians 5:17

By the flesh and the Spirit, we cannot so much understand the sensitive and rational appetite; for these two appetites are not so contrary, but that in many things they agree well enough; and we are enemies not only in our sensitive part, to spiritual things, but εν τη διανοια, in our mind and rational part also, Colossians 1:21. And some of the works of the flesh, which are afterward mentioned, Galatians 5:19-21, (such as idolatry, heresies, & c.), cannot be referred to the sensitive part.... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Galatians 5:13-18

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESGalatians 5:13. Use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.—Do not give the flesh the handle or pretext for its indulgence, which it eagerly seeks for. By love serve one another.—If ye must be in bondage, be servants to one another in love.Galatians 5:15. If ye bite and devour one another, … consumed.—Figures taken from the rage of beasts of prey. The biting of controversy naturally runs into the devouring of controversial mood waxing fierce with indulgence. And... read more

William Nicoll

Sermon Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:17

Galatians 5:17 There are three senses in which these words may be taken (1) They may mean generally, There is a spirit in you ruling your whole mind and being; and to the sovereign power of that spirit you are in all things only a passive subject, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would; or (2) we may use them for humiliation and admonition. The nature which still remains in you is too strong to let you live up to all your higher aspirations: "so that ye cannot do the things that ye... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Galatians 5:17

DISCOURSE: 2083THE PRINCIPLES OF FLESH AND SPIRIT CONSIDEREDGalatians 5:17. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.IT might be naturally imagined, that, from the moment of our conversion to God, the transformation of the soul into the Divine image should proceed so rapidly, as soon to extirpate sin altogether. But God has not seen fit so to carry on his work in his... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Galatians 5:1-26

Shall we turn now to Galatians chapter five. The whole concept is: how do I establish a righteous standing before God? Can I be righteous by keeping the law? Or am I righteous by my simple faith in Jesus Christ? Now, Paul taught righteousness through faith. There followed Paul teachers, Judaizers who brought another gospel, which was not really a gospel. For they were saying that was it was necessary to be circumcised and to keep the law of Moses in order to be righteous before God, to be... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 5:1-26

Galatians 5:1 . Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, by the redemption he has procured through the shedding of his own most precious blood. The liberty of your celestial birth, comprising pardon, and all the blessings of the new covenant. The power to leave the galling rituals of the law behind, and put on the garments of righteousness, as the sons of Abraham and of Sarah. The yoke of bondage is now superseded by divine adoption, which makes us sons of... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Galatians 5:17

Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.Contest between flesh and spiritHere is a battle--a struggle--described: one in which we must all fight. Our own corrupt and wilful hearts, and the Holy Spirit of God, are ever drawing us different ways; and we have to choose between them. This is the work of the will. God leaves us free. The Spirit draws, but does not drive: invites, not compels. There are four states in which we may be.1. Before the... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Galatians 5:17

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Ver. 17. For the flesh lusteth ] Every new man is two men. What can a man see in the Shulamite, but as the appearance of two armies? Song of Solomon 6:13 . These maintain civil broils within her, as the two babes did in Rebecea’s womb. All was jolly quiet at Ephesus, till Paul came thither; but then there arose no small stir... read more

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