Galatians 5
Galatians Chapter 5, Explained
Galatians 5 is a chapter about freedom. Christ has set us free, Paul says, so we should not slip back into slavery, either the slavery of trying to earn God's favor by rule keeping or the slavery of using freedom as an excuse to indulge ourselves. True freedom expresses itself in love, serving one another.
The heart of the chapter contrasts two ways of living. The works of the flesh are ugly and divisive, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. This fruit is not produced by gritted teeth but grows naturally as we walk in step with the Spirit, keeping in time with God's own life within us.
Key verses from Galatians 5
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
Galatians 5:22
The main point
Galatians 5 is about the freedom Christ won and the Spirit's fruit that grows in a life surrendered to Him.
How Galatians 5 points to Jesus
Jesus is the one who sets us free and pours out the Spirit whose fruit is love, joy, and peace. That beautiful fruit is nothing less than the character of Christ being formed in those who walk with Him.
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Read Galatians 5 with its meaning · The book of Galatians: summary · All chapter guides