Galatians 5 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians Chapter 5 (New Testament)
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Galatians Chapter 5 (New Testament)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| στήκω — stēkō | Verse 1 — “Stand fast therefore…” | “Stand firm,” persist. | Stēkō (“stand firm”) expresses steadfast commitment (“stand fast”). Paul urges resistance against legalism. The term calls for stability. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ζυγός — zygos | Verse 1 — “…yoke of bondage…” | “Yoke,” burden. | Zygos (“yoke”) signifies oppressive restraint (“yoke/burden”). Law-keeping enslaves. The term contrasts grace’s freedom. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| ἀναστατόω — anastatoō | Verse 12 — “…trouble you…” | “Upset,” disturb. | Anastatoō (“to trouble”) denotes unsettled instability (“disturb”). False teachers disrupt community. The term conveys doctrinal turmoil. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| ἀφορμή — aphormē | Verse 13 — “…use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh…” | “Opportunity,” base of operations. | Aphormē (“opportunity”) means starting point (“occasion”). Paul warns against abusing freedom. The term reinforces ethical restraint. — Philip Schaff, Church History (1890) |
| σταυρόω — stauroō | Verse 24 — “…crucified the flesh…” | “Crucify,” put to death. | Stauroō (“to crucify”) conveys decisive renunciation (“crucify”). Believers reject sinful passions. The term reflects union with Christ. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| περιπατέω — peripateō | Verse 16 — “…walk in the Spirit…” | “Walk,” conduct oneself. | Peripateō (“to walk”) symbolizes habitual lifestyle (“walk”). Life in the Spirit opposes flesh. The term indicates ongoing dependence. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| ἔργα — erga | Verse 19 — “…works of the flesh…” | “Works,” deeds. | Erga (“works”) refers to human behaviors (“works”). They manifest sinful nature. The term contrasts fruit of the Spirit. — Francis Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| καρπός — karpos | Verse 22 — “…fruit of the Spirit…” | “Fruit,” product. | Karpos (“fruit”) expresses organic growth (“fruit”). The Spirit produces inward transformation. The term suggests unity of virtues. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Galatians (1882) |
| πραΰτης — prautēs | Verse 23 — “…meekness…” | “Gentleness,” controlled strength. | Prautēs (“gentleness”) conveys humble restraint (“meekness”). It is a Spirit-empowered disposition. The term reflects Christlike character. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| στοιχέω — stoicheō | Verse 25 — “…let us also walk in the Spirit…” | “March in line,” follow in order. | Stoicheō (“to keep in step”) implies disciplined alignment (“walk/orderly walk”). Christians pattern life after the Spirit. The term stresses cooperative obedience. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
Galatians Chapter 5
Verse: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." - Galatians 5:1
Lesson: Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin and the law. We are called to stand firm in this freedom and not to allow ourselves to be burdened by the demands of legalism.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: We must remember that our salvation is based on faith in Christ alone, and not on our ability to follow the law. We are called to live in freedom, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, and bearing fruit that reflects our new life in Christ.
Prayer Points: Thank God for the freedom that we have in Christ. Ask for the strength to resist the temptation to rely on legalism for salvation. Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance in living a life that bears fruit for God's glory.
