Galatians 5:16

The spiritual life of liberty inconsistent with the indulgence of the works of the flesh

16. This I say then After affirming the great law of Christian perfection in Galatians 5:14 and pointing out the effects of its violation, St Paul proceeds to shew how alone the former may be obeyed and the latter escaped. The controversies and heartburnings from which the Galatian Chruch was suffering were due to the lusts of the flesh (comp. James 4:1-2). There was only one means by which the tyranny of these lusts could be resisted and broken by the guidance and power of Him Who is the Spirit both of love and of liberty.

Walk in the Spirit R.V. -Walk by the Spirit." This is differently explained, (1) by, or according to the rule of the Spirit, comp. Galatians 5:18; Galatians 5:25; Galatians 6:16; (2) by the guidance of the Spirit; (3) by the help of the Spirit; (4) spiritually. For eachview something is to be said grammatically. All together do not exhaust the fulness of the expression. The points to be noted are (a) The antagonism between the Spiritthe Holy Ghost in all that He is, and works and produces, and the fleshwith its appetites and works. (b) The absolute certainty of victory over the flesh to all those who walk in or by the Spirit. Unspeakably great as is the blessing of pardon and justification by faith, it would be an incomplete blessing but for the assurance of this verse. Freedom from condemnation cannot satisfy the conscience which God's Spirit has touched without the assured hope of victory over the lust of the flesh. Walkingdenotes activity. The metaphor is very common in St Paul and in St John. To walk in truth, in darkness, according to the flesh, &c., are familiar instances. The word in the original is not the same as in Galatians 5:25, where not mere activity, but deliberate movement is intended.

ye shall not fulfil The strongest negation possible. -Ye shall in no wisefulfil." Blessed assurance!