Galatians 5:18-25
Chapter 5
18
But when you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19
You know what comes from the flesh: fornication, impurity, shamelessness,
20
idol worship, sorcery, hatred, jealousy, violence, anger, ambition, division, factions,
21
and envy—along with drunkenness, orgies, and similar behaviors. I repeat what I have already said: those who do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, understanding others, kindness,
23
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For such qualities, there is no law or punishment.
24
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its vices and desires.
25
If we live by the Spirit, let us conduct ourselves spiritually.
Commentaries
Led by the Spirit.
Paul begins his final exhortations with a new call to freedom: “You, brothers and sisters, have been called to freedom” (13). The Gospel and freedom are connected. What kind of liberation is he talking about? The same one he already mentioned to the Corinthians: “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17). “If we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit” (26). This is the daily commitment of the Christian.