Galatians 5

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:1

5:1 Christ has set us free so that we may live in freedom. Therefore, stand firm and do not be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Commentary

Galatians 5 is the concluding chapter in Paul’s discourse on the relationship between the Law and faith (from chapters 1–4). Here, Paul warns that attempting to attain righteousness through works of the Law ultimately undermines faith and explains what true freedom in Christ means. Likewise, we must also be free from the mindset of treating God’s holy Word, the Torah, as "works" (ergon) in an attempt to attain righteousness. 

1️⃣ The Reason for Freedom (5:1)

Paul declares, "Christ has set us free so that we may live in freedom." He warns believers not to submit again to a "yoke of slavery." This "yoke of slavery" does not simply refer to observing the Law, but to falling back into sin and thereby returning under the Law’s condemnation.

In the Galatian church, there were two groups of believers:
1️⃣ Jewish believers who had been raised in religious traditions.
2️⃣ Gentile converts who had newly accepted the gospel.

Both groups had a certain level of fear of God, but despite professing faith in Christ, many of them continued to sin. This is why Paul later explains "the desires of the flesh" in the latter part of Galatians 5.

The more people sinned repeatedly, the more they felt the need to rely on works of the Law to seek justification. This is because the gospel calls believers to live a holy life. But when they failed to do so, many sought atonement through legalistic works rather than through true repentance and transformation.

The freedom Christ gives is not an escape from righteousness but a freedom to live a holy life by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

📖 "Lawlessness (Anomia, Torah-lessness) will not be tolerated."
Jesus sternly warned:
"Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (anomia)!" (Matthew 7:23)

Thus, believers must not remain under the curse of the Law nor fall into the false theology that claims the Law is abolished. Instead, they must follow the Spirit of God so that the Law is written on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–40).

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:2–6

5:2 Listen carefully! I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
5:3 Again, I testify to every man who receives circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole Law.
5:4 You who seek to be justified by the Law have been cut off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly await the hope of righteousness.
5:6 In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that matters is faith working through love.

2️⃣ Understanding the Fulfillment of Circumcision (5:2–6)

Paul strongly warns that if believers attempt to attain righteousness through circumcision, then Christ’s grace and His sacrifice on the cross will be meaningless to them.

Additionally, the Galatians were not Jewish, yet some were insisting on receiving circumcision—a requirement given specifically to Israel. Paul highlights the absurdity of this claim.

In reality, the Galatians did not fully understand the concept of "circumcision of the heart."

📖 "True circumcision is the Law being written on the heart." (Jeremiah 31:33–40)

Paul argues that those who choose circumcision must keep the entire Law (5:3). This means that one cannot pick and choose parts of the Law to follow—obedience must be absolute.

However, sinful human nature cannot fully understand or keep the Law by mere intellect or effort.
This is why the New Covenant was established through the blood of Jesus Christ, leading believers to the fulfillment of the Law.

📌 Thus, obeying the Law by human interpretation and effort cannot lead to righteousness.
📌 Instead, righteousness is achieved by faith, through obedience to God’s will.

Paul emphasizes:
📖 "In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith working through love." (5:6)

True circumcision is "circumcision of the heart"—where a believer’s heart is transformed to love and obey God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:7–12

5:7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
5:8 This persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.
5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
5:10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will not take another view. But the one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
5:11 Brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? If that were the case, the offense of the cross would have been removed.
5:12 I wish those who are unsettling you would go and emasculate themselves!

3️⃣ Warning Against False Teachings (5:7–12)

Paul rebukes those who misled the Galatian believers and caused them to stray from the truth.

📖 "A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough." (5:9)
→ Even a small amount of false teaching can corrupt an entire community.

📖 "The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment." (5:10)
→ False teachers will be judged by God.

📖 "I wish they would even cut themselves off!" (5:12)
→ Paul uses strong language to show how dangerous their teaching was. If they insisted on circumcision, they might as well "cut themselves off" entirely—emphasizing the futility of their doctrine.

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:13–15

5:13 For you, brothers and sisters, were called to freedom. But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; instead, serve one another in love.
5:14 The whole Law is fulfilled in one statement: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.

4️⃣ The Meaning of True Freedom (5:13–15)

Paul warns that freedom in Christ does not mean indulging in sinful desires.

📖 "The entire Law is fulfilled in one statement: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (5:14)
→ Jesus taught that love is the fulfillment of the Law. However, this love is not mere human emotion but is expressed through obedience to God's commandments.

💡 Matthew 25: Faith with Actions vs. Dead Faith
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25 divides believers into two groups:
✅ Those who demonstrate living faith through obedience.
❌ Those who profess faith but lack actions.

💡 Matthew 7: The Judgment on Lawlessness (Anomia)
📖 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father." (Matthew 7:21)
Jesus condemned lawlessness (anomia)—rejecting the idea that faith can exist without obedience to God's Law.

📖 "If you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another." (5:15)
→ Just as in Genesis 6:5, human nature is inclined toward evil. False doctrines, theological debates, and man-made religious traditions can divide and destroy the community of faith.

✅ What Is True Freedom?

Paul teaches that true freedom is not lawlessness but rather having the Law written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:33).

📌 True freedom is not an excuse for sin.
📌 True freedom is obedience to God's will through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, believers must not misuse their freedom, but instead follow the Spirit and live a holy life.

This is Paul’s core message in Galatians 5:1–15.

🕎 From the Blood of Cattle to the Blood of the Redeemer 🕎

1️⃣ Disappearance of the Tradition of Eating the Passover Lamb in the New Testament

In the Old Testament, the observance of Passover required the sacrifice of a lamb, the application of its blood on the doorposts, and the consumption of its meat as an essential ritual.

📖 Exodus 12:8
"That night they shall eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs."

However, when Jesus offered Himself as the "Lamb of God" on Passover, the practice of slaughtering and eating the Passover lamb was no longer necessary.

📖 John 1:29
"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

📖 1 Corinthians 5:7
"Get rid of the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed."

Here, Paul proclaims that Jesus is the true fulfillment of the Passover lamb, making the continuation of Passover sacrifices obsolete.

From this point onward, the New Testament contains no records of believers sacrificing or eating the Passover lamb. Even after Jesus' resurrection, the early church continued to observe Passover, but it was no longer centered on eating the lamb. Instead, it transitioned into the Lord’s Supper, commemorating Jesus' sacrifice.

📖 Luke 22:19-20
"And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise, after supper, He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’"

Thus, the redemptive meaning once symbolized by the Passover lamb’s blood was fulfilled in the blood of Jesus Christ, and in the New Testament, the core of Passover shifted from the sacrifice of lambs to the commemoration of Christ’s atoning sacrifice through the Lord’s Supper.

2️⃣ The Final End of Circumcision for Gentiles

In the Old Testament, any foreigner who wished to partake in the Passover had to be circumcised.

📖 Exodus 12:48
"If a foreigner residing among you wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, all the males in his household must be circumcised; then he may take part as one born in the land."

However, in the New Testament, Jesus’ blood completely fulfilled the meaning of Passover, and as its core significance shifted to commemorating His sacrifice, circumcision was no longer required for Gentiles to observe Passover.

Paul strictly opposed forcing circumcision upon Gentiles, and the contrasting cases of Timothy and Titus marked a decisive moment in settling the issue of Gentile circumcision.

📖 Acts 16:3 (Regarding Timothy)
"Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek."

📖 Galatians 2:3 (Regarding Titus)
"Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek."

These two cases hold great significance:
✅ Timothy was circumcised because his mother was Jewish, and Paul sought to avoid unnecessary hindrances in ministering to Jews.
✅ Titus, being a Gentile, was not circumcised, as requiring circumcision for Gentiles would contradict the essence of the gospel.

Thus, circumcision was no longer required for Gentiles to observe Passover. Moreover, since the act of eating the Passover lamb itself disappeared in the New Testament, the necessity of circumcision was completely abolished.

📖 Galatians 5:6
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith working through love."

📖 Galatians 5:12
"As for those who are troubling you, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!"

📖 Galatians 6:15
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation."

Conclusion: The Fulfilled Passover and the End of Gentile Circumcision

✅ The tradition of sacrificing and eating the Passover lamb completely disappeared in the New Testament after Jesus’ crucifixion.
✅ The core of Passover is no longer the blood of lambs, but the commemoration of Jesus’ atoning blood through the Lord’s Supper.
 

✅ The Old Testament requirement for Gentiles to be circumcised before partaking in Passover was not abolished but rather elevated by the blood of Jesus, which fulfilled Passover. Now, Passover is not merely a ritual but must be commemorated and observed in an even holier manner. 

📖 1 Corinthians 11:26-30 (English - Yeshua Literal Translation)

26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore, whoever eats the Lord’s bread or drinks His cup in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 A person must examine himself, and only then should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For whoever eats and drinks without discerning the Lord’s body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and quite a few have fallen asleep.

✅ Paul forbade circumcision for Gentile believers, warning strongly against those who insisted on it.
✅ What truly matters now is not physical circumcision but circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29) and becoming a new creation (Galatians 6:15).

In conclusion, the transition from the blood of the Passover lamb to the blood of Jesus Christ is the decisive event that settled the issue of Gentile circumcision in the New Testament. 🚩

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:16–18

5:16 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh."

5:17 "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. These are opposed to each other, preventing you from doing what you want."

5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law."

Walking by the Spirit

Paul strongly urges believers to walk by the Spirit. "Walk by the Spirit" does not refer to mere outward religious practices but to a life fully surrendered to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every aspect. This means pursuing holiness according to God’s will rather than relying on external religious actions.

The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit (v. 17)

• The desires of the flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit are in direct opposition to one another. The flesh resists the Spirit, and the Spirit resists the desires of the flesh. This fundamental opposition explains the internal spiritual struggle that believers often experience.

• A life led by the Spirit enables believers to continually choose God’s will over fleshly desires, gradually freeing them from their sinful nature.

Not Being Under the Law (v. 18)

Paul emphasizes that those who are led by the Spirit are no longer under the Law. This does not mean that the Law is abolished; rather, it signifies freedom from the condemnation and penalties of the Law. The Spirit leads believers into a life of separation from sin.
However, one might think that sins not leading to death are just part of ordinary life. Yet, the New Testament consistently presents sin as a serious matter that should never be taken lightly.

Yeshuah Literal Translation: 1 John 5:16-18

📖 1 John 5:16-18
16 "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that."
17 "All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death."
18 "We know that anyone born of God does not sin. Instead, the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot touch him."

This passage teaches that believers must not only seek to escape repetitive sins but also strive for increasing holiness by following the Spirit’s guidance.

The True Purpose of the Law Under the Guidance of the Spirit

• The guidance of the Spirit leads believers to fulfill the essence of the Law—a holy life. This life is directed toward the kingdom of heaven, drawing closer to Jesus.

• Living by the Spirit is not merely about avoiding sin but about setting oneself apart for God’s glory and deepening one’s relationship with Christ.

Conclusion

• Therefore, those who are led by the Holy Spirit are no longer under the Law. Simply put, they are people who can live righteously even without the law.

• More precisely, their lives become inherently holy, leading them to sever ties with sin and grow spiritually into the full measure of mature faith.

• However, such complete freedom is only possible within the victory of Jesus’ cross, which has overcome the power of sin and death. A life led by the Holy Spirit is the very holiness that God requires.

📖 Leviticus 11:45
"I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore, be holy, because I am holy."

📖 1 John 3:9
"No one born of God practices sin because God's seed remains in him; he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God."

📖 Matthew 7:23
"Then I will declare to them plainly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'"

This teaching reaffirms that a believer’s life should not only be free from the condemnation of the Law but also actively pursue holiness, walking in the Spirit to fulfill the righteous requirements of God. 🚩

Literal Translation and Commentary: Galatians 5:19–21

5:19 The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery,
5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, dissensions, factions,
5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. As I have warned you before, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

🔍 Commentary

1️⃣ The Works of the Flesh: The Fruit of Fallen Human Nature

Paul explicitly lists the "works of the flesh" to ensure that believers recognize them clearly. These are not mere moral failures but sins that stem from fallen human nature, which ultimately disqualify one from inheriting the kingdom of God.

📌 Main Categories of the Works of the Flesh
✔ Sexual Corruption: Sexual immorality (fornication and adultery), impurity (moral defilement), debauchery (unrestrained lust)
✔ Spiritual Corruption: Idolatry (worshiping anything other than the true God), sorcery (seeking supernatural power from Satanic sources)
✔ Social Conflict and Division: Enmity (deep-seated hostility), strife (creating disputes), jealousy (coveting others' success), outbursts of anger (uncontrolled rage), rivalries (seeking selfish ambition), dissensions (causing division in a community), factions (distorting God's truth for personal gain)
✔ Lack of Self-Control and Debauchery: Drunkenness (lack of self-restraint), orgies (reckless indulgence in sinful pleasures)

Paul emphasizes that these sins are not merely bad habits but represent a life that is fundamentally opposed to walking by the Spirit.

2️⃣ The Fate of Those Who Commit the Works of the Flesh

Paul issues a strong warning that those who persist in such behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God. This does not refer to believers whose previous sins have been forgiven, but to those who continue in these sins. 

📖 "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:21)

✅ Recognizing the Seriousness of Sin
Paul repeats this warning to ensure that believers do not take sin lightly. Those who engage in the works of the flesh remain far from a life led by the Spirit, ultimately severing their relationship with God.

✅ Applies to Both Those Under the Law and Those in Lawlessness
The works of the flesh are not limited to those who violate the Law or to outright unbelievers. Those who claim freedom in Christ but misuse it as a license for sin are also subject to this warning.

✅ The Limitations of Human-Defined Religious Doctrines
The Gospels reveal how the religious leaders of Jesus' time distorted and corrupted the Torah, leading them to condemn Jesus to crucifixion. However, Jesus repeatedly taught the true meaning of the Law and obedience to it through various parables and direct teachings.

3️⃣ The Proper Attitude of a Believer

Paul's message goes beyond simply saying "Do not sin." Believers must live by the Spirit and overcome the desires of the flesh, pursuing a life of true holiness.

📖 1 John 3:9
"No one born of God commits sin, because His seed remains in him. He cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God."

✔ A life led by the Spirit is one that overcomes the desires of the flesh through His guidance.
✔ Those who inherit the kingdom of God must actively pursue holiness.

Paul's warning serves as a call for believers to examine themselves, ensuring that they walk in the Spirit and live in holiness.
Live as heirs of the kingdom of God! 🚩

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:22–23

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

The Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is the result of living in the Spirit, manifesting in both the inner and outer life of a believer. The fruit of the Spirit reflects a holy life that glorifies God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

1. Love (Agápē – ἀγάπη)

• Meaning: Unconditional and sacrificial love, representing the love of God.

2. Joy (Chará – χαρά)

• Meaning: Inner delight and satisfaction, a spiritual joy that comes from a relationship with God.

3. Peace (Eirḗnē – εἰρήνη)

• Meaning: Inner stability and harmony, a tranquility that stems from reconciliation with God.

4. Patience (Makrothymía – μακροθυμία)

• Meaning: Long-suffering, endurance, and perseverance in difficult situations.

5. Kindness (Chrēstótēs – χρηστότης)

• Meaning: A gentle and considerate nature, treating others with grace and mercy.

6. Goodness (Agathōsýnē – ἀγαθωσύνη)

• Meaning: Moral integrity, uprightness, and a heart that actively seeks to do what is right.

7. Faithfulness (Pístis – πίστις)

• Meaning: Loyalty, trustworthiness, and unwavering commitment to God and others.

8. Gentleness (Praǘtēs – πραΰτης)

• Meaning: Strength under control, humility, and a soft-spoken demeanor.

9. Self-Control (Enkráteia – ἐγκράτεια)

• Meaning: Mastery over one's desires and impulses, a disciplined life aligned with God's will.

🔍 Key Interpretative Points

✔️ The word "fruit" (καρπός, Karpos) is in the singular form.
→ This indicates that the fruit of the Spirit is not multiple separate fruits, but rather one fruit that manifests in various characteristics.
→ In other words, a person led by the Spirit does not develop just one characteristic; instead, all aspects of the fruit grow together as a unified whole.

✔️ The significance of the order
→ "Love" (ἀγάπη, Agápē) being listed first is highly significant.
→ Love is the most fundamental aspect of the work of the Spirit, and the other eight characteristics stem from it.
→ For instance, "joy and peace" naturally follow when love is present, while "patience and kindness" emerge when love is put into action.

✅ Conclusion
💡 In the Greek text, the order of the fruit of the Spirit is the same as in the Korean translation.
💡 Love is positioned first, as the foundational virtue from which the other characteristics develop.
💡 The fruit of the Spirit is not merely a collection of individual traits but rather a unified expression of the Spirit’s work, growing together as one.

The Law and the Fruit of the Spirit

The phrase "Against such things there is no law" emphasizes that the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the true purpose of the Law. The fruit of the Spirit is not achieved through legalistic adherence to rules but is naturally produced through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Necessity of a Spirit-Led Life

A believer must cast off the works of the flesh and walk in the Spirit, bearing the fruit that testifies to a transformed life in Christ. This process is part of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and intimacy with God.

📖 Romans 12:1 (Yeshuah Literal Translation)
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, I urge you by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

This is the journey of a sinner, redeemed from bondage under the Law, becoming a holy offering before God. It is the true image of a saint who walks in obedience, fulfilling God's righteousness through the Spirit. 🚩

Literal Translation & Commentary: Galatians 5:24–26

5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

🔍 Commentary

1️⃣ Crucifying the Flesh and Its Desires (Verse 24)

• Paul declares that "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

• This signifies not merely external self-control but a complete break from the sinful nature.

• Believers have been freed from the power of sin and death through Christ’s victory on the cross and must now live a holy life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2️⃣ Living and Walking by the Spirit (Verse 25)

• Paul emphasizes that those who live by the Spirit must also walk by the Spirit.

• This is directly connected to bearing the fruit of the Spirit.

• A person who has been born again by the Spirit must submit every aspect of their life to the Spirit’s control.

• The Spirit’s guidance is not merely an abstract principle but must be practically applied in daily actions and decisions.

3️⃣ The Issue in the Galatian Church (Verse 26)

• Paul warns against seeking empty glory and rebukes the Galatians for the disorder and conflicts that were prevalent in their community.

• This shows that the Galatian church had fallen into external competition and division rather than focusing on the true gospel.

• Such conflicts hindered the proper transmission of the gospel, which explains Paul’s strong exhortation.

📖 Historical Lesson: Martyrdom and the Responsibility of Modern Believers

• In the midst of chaos, the completion of the gospel message was carried forward by the twelve apostles, all of whom were martyred. Many first-century believers did not have access to the written Scriptures, yet they risked their lives to uphold their faith. The faith in Yeshua, foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures, was preserved through apostolic tradition. They valued their faith in Yeshua above life itself and were willing to lay down their lives for it.

• Today, many Christians live in an era where the Bible is readily accessible, yet they often fail to match the devotion and passion of the early church believers. We must follow the Spirit’s leading and demonstrate Christ’s victory through a holy life.

✅ Conclusion

📌 Galatians 5:24–26 emphasizes that believers must crucify the flesh and its desires, bear the fruit of the Spirit, and live a holy life.
📌 The early church set an example of unwavering faith, even to the point of martyrdom.
📌 Modern believers must correctly understand the biblical gospel, live a sanctified life in the Spirit, and bear fruit that is pleasing to God.

👉 Walk by the Spirit. This is true freedom and the path to a holy life. 🚩