Galatians / 5

  • Joy and Peace

    Galatians 5:22–23

    John says we should not be surprised that the world hates us (1 John 3:13). Still, we do not have license to give the world rational reasons to oppose us. We can do nothing about the irrational opposition unbelievers ...Read More

  • The Flesh

    Galatians 5:16–26

    Christians look forward to the resurrection of the body (Dan. 12:1–2), so we should always prize the physicality with which God has gifted us. We must not, however, prize the evil things that our flesh loves. We are ...Read More

  • The Proper Use of Freedom

    Galatians 5:12–13

    Paul’s exposition of gospel freedom will largely be the focus of the rest of our study of Galatians. Today, simply note that 5:13 defines Christian obligations not in terms of the Law but in terms of loving service ...Read More

  • The Offense of the Cross

    Galatians 5:10–11

    Martin Luther says that “when the cross is abolished, and the rage of tyrants and heretics ceases on the one side, and all things are in peace, this is a sure token that the pure doctrine of God’s Word ...Read More

  • The Effects of Leaven

    Galatians 5:7–9

    John Calvin comments, “Satan’s stratagem is, that he does not attempt an avowed destruction of the whole gospel, but he taints its purity by introducing false and corrupt opinions.” The blatant heresy endorsed in many churches today did not ...Read More

  • What Really Counts

    Galatians 5:5–6

    “It is not our doctrine that the faith which justifies is alone; we maintain that it is invariably accompanied by good works; only we contend that faith alone is sufficient for justification” (John Calvin). If works of love are not ...Read More

  • Severed from Christ

    Galatians 5:2–4

    Martin Luther says that Galatians 5:2 “is a touchstone, whereby we may most certainly and freely judge all doctrines, works, religions, and ceremonies of all men.” Any of these that promise righteousness and salvation through them are to be ...Read More

  • Freedom in Christ

    Galatians 5:1

    It can be easy to forget the freedom we have in Christ and let our fear that we will never serve God as precisely as He desires keep us from serving other people. We are covered with Christ’s blood ...Read More

  • Gentle Admonition

    Galatians 6:1

    Calvin writes, “Whenever we have occasion to pronounce censure, let us begin with ourselves, and, remembering our own weakness, let us be indulgent to others.” May we never forget the need to take the log out of our own eye ...Read More

  • Living in the Spirit

    Galatians 5:24–26

    Martin Luther offers the following application: God is no respecter of persons, and since all believers serve Him by the same faith with the same Spirit, the layman who faithfully uses the gift the Lord has given him pleases God ...Read More

  • The Fruit of the Spirit

    Galatians 5:22–23

    The love commended in Galatians 5:22–23 is also the greatest apologetic for the Christian faith (John 13:35) and is defined by the character of God, who loves us both when He commends our obedience and when He ...Read More

  • The Works of the Flesh

    Galatians 5:19–21

    Take the time today to do a “spiritual inventory” and consider whether any of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19–21 are characteristic of your life. If you have a trusted, Christian friend, ask him if any ...Read More

  • Not Under the Law

    Galatians 5:16–17

    John Calvin comments, “If we would obey the Spirit, we must labor, and fight, and apply our utmost energy; and we must begin with self-denial.” Walking by the Holy Spirit is the denial of the self and one’s fleshly ...Read More

  • Walking by the Spirit

    Galatians 5:16–17

    John Calvin comments, “If we would obey the Spirit, we must labor, and fight, and apply our utmost energy; and we must begin with self-denial.” Walking by the Holy Spirit is the denial of the self and one’s fleshly ...Read More

  • Fulfilling the Law

    Galatians 5:14–15

    Martin Luther says the love that fulfills the Law is “to instruct him who goes astray, to comfort him that is afflicted, to raise up him that is weak, to help your neighbor by all means possible, to bear with ...Read More