UNROLL
A broken wooden ox yoke lying in green grass at the edge of a field at dawn.

The Book of

Galatians 5

The yoke is broken. Now Paul shows what a free life looks like: faith working through love, and a harvest only the Spirit can grow.

26 verses≈ 4 min1 personBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1:1–10No other gospelGrace, not a different message
  2. 1:11–2Paul's storyA gospel from God, not from men
  3. 3–4Faith, not lawSons of Abraham through faith
  4. 5–6Free in ChristWalk by the Spirit, serve in loveChapter 5

Freedom in Christ

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

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Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.

What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6

Reflect

Free, not on probation

Paul says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Is there a rule, a ritual or a record you lean on to feel accepted by God? Write it down. Then write beside it the words “faith expressing itself through love,” and think about one way to show that love this week.

You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.

A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.

I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:14

But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Question

Quick question

Paul sums up the whole law in a single sentence.

According to Paul, what single decree fulfills the entire law?

Walking by the Spirit

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Flesh and Spirit

in ChristWalk by theSpirit“led by the Spirit”Two ways,opposed“opposed to eachother”Acts of theflesh“obvious”Fruit of theSpiritlove, joy, peace…No law againstit“there is no law”Flesh crucified“crucified the flesh”

Whiteboard

Paul sets two ways of living side by side. The flesh produces a list of acts that are “obvious.” The Spirit grows a single fruit with many flavors, and “Against such things there is no law.” Those who belong to Christ have already taken their stand: they “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

Galatians 5:22–23

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

A fig tree heavy with ripe fruit on a terraced hillside in early morning light.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

0:08

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

In step with the Spirit

Read slowly through the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Pick the one you see least in your life right now. Ask God to grow it in you, not by trying harder alone, but as you “walk in step with the Spirit.”

You’ve experienced

Galatians 5

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A verse to carry with you

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23

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