For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.
Paul reminds the Galatians of their Christian vocation to freedom in Christ, which they received through baptism. However, they should not abuse this freedom as a license to indulge in the sinful desires of fallen human nature. Instead, they should use their Christian freedom as an opportunity to choose what is good and serve each other out of love (Rom. 6:18). Paul echoes Christ’s teaching in Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31 that the essence of the Law is love of neighbor (Lv. 19:18). As Paul said in Romans, love fulfills the moral law (Rom. 13:8-10). He reminded them to avoid strife and destructive behaviors which could harm the unity of the whole community. Discord among Christians can lead to mutual destruction. Paul emphasizes the need to live under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit is the key to overcoming the sinful desires of the flesh. The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a fundamental conflict within the human person (cf. Rom. 7:14-25). Christians who live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit fulfill the moral law through love and are no longer bound by the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law.
Paul listed vices that characterize life lived according to the flesh. Sexual sins - immorality, impurity, and licentiousness – not only violate the body but also disrupt the spiritual order, emphasizing Paul's view of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 6:19-20). Religious sins, particularly idolatry and sorcery, are violations of the First Commandment, reflecting the turning away from God. Interpersonal sins - hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, and envy – are destructive to the unity of the Body of Christ. They disrupt the unity and love of the Christian community. Vices associated with excess, drunkenness, and orgies, highlight the lack of self-control, which contrasts with the fruits of the Spirit. All the behaviors listed are incompatible with life in the Spirit and the inheritance of the kingdom.
Paul now contrasts the works of the flesh with the virtuous behaviors (the fruit of the Spirit) of those who live according to the Spirit. These behaviors are a collective product of the Holy Spirit working in the believer, not separate qualities from which individuals can choose. The virtues produced by the Spirit cannot be condemned by any law, whether divine or human. These fruits are the outward manifestations of a life transformed by the Spirit and stand in contrast to the self-centered and destructive tendencies of the flesh. In contrast to the works of the flesh, the fruits of the Spirit—such as love, peace, and patience—are essential to building and maintaining unity in the Christian community.
By baptism, Christians participate in the death and resurrection of Christ and are united with him through faith. Believers are called to ‘crucify’ their disordered inclinations and attachments to worldly pleasures. The new life Christians receive through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is dominated by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit empowers and sustains believers in their daily lives, guiding them toward holiness and enabling them to live according to God’s will. However, Christians must align their thoughts, actions, and desires with the direction of the Holy Spirit. Paul concludes the passage with a moral exhortation that contrasts the Spirit-led life with the behavior that results from pride, rivalry, and envy which are destructive to the unity of the community.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to live by Your Spirit, crucifying the desires of the flesh and bearing the fruit of love, joy, and peace. Help us to walk in humility, serve others in love, and guard our hearts from pride, envy, and division. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
Comments