_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:1. STAND FAST IN.—Stand up to, make your stand for. THE
LIBERTY WHEREWITH CHRIST HAS MADE AS FREE.—As Christ has given you
this liberty you are bound to stand fast in it. BE NOT
ENTANGLED.—Implicated in a way which involves violence to true
spontaneous l... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:2. IF YE BE CIRCUMCISED.—Not simply as a national rite,
but as a symbol of Judaism and legalism in general; as necessary to
justification. CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING.—The gospel of grace
is at an end. He who is circumcised is so fearing the law, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:9. A LITTLE LEAVEN.—Of false doctrine, a small amount of
evil influence.
Galatians 5:10. HE THAT TROUBLETH YOU.—The leaven traced to personal
agency; whoever plays the troubler. SHALL BEAR HIS JUDGMENT.—Due and
inevitable condemnation from God.
Galatia... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:13. USE NOT LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH.—Do not
give the flesh the handle or pretext for its indulgence, which it
eagerly seeks for. BY LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER.—If ye must be in
bondage, be servants to one another in love.
Galatians 5:15. IF YE... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:19. THE WORKS OF THE FLESH.—
1. _Sensual vices_—“adultery [omitted in the oldest MSS.],
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.”
2. _Theological vices_—“idolatry, witchcraft.”
3. _Malevolent vices_—“hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, sedit... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Galatians 5:22. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.—The singular _fruit_, as
compared with the plural _works_, suggests that the effect of the
Spirit’s inworking is one harmonious whole, while carnality tends to
multitudinousness, distraction, chaos. We are not to look for a
r... [ Continue Reading ]