Galatians 5:16

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Literal

Now I say, walk by the Spirit, and you shall never complete the desire of the flesh.

Latin

Dico autem: Spiritu ambulate, et desideria carnis non perficietis.

Original

Greek

English

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

Notes

Galatians 5:16–26

A faith without laws will not cause moral ruin. The Holy Spirit guides people, changing their hearts to follow God's will and not sin (see Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).

Galatians 5:13–6:10

Paul explains that justification (being in right relationship with God) comes by faith alone. He then asks, "If we do not follow the law, what guides our behavior?" He answers that the Holy Spirit provides righteousness. The Judaizers (Jewish Christians who believed in following traditional Jewish laws) likely warned that Paul's message of freedom could lead believers to moral failure (5:1). Paul argues that freedom is not an excuse to sin because love guides Christians. We should use our freedom to serve each other with love (see also 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Circumcision Faith and Good Deeds Holiness and Sexual Purity Holiness by Relationship The Holy Spirit’s Work The Law and the Spirit The Old Realm and the New The Purpose of the Sinai Covenant

Related verses

Galatians 5:24–25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 8:12–14
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
Galatians 6:8
The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
Colossians 3:5–10
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Romans 8:4–5
…so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
1 John 2:15–16
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Romans 13:13–14
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
Romans 6:12
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
Jude 1:19–21
These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16

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