Galatians 5:24-26

TEXT 5:24-26

(24) And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. (25) If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. (26) Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

PARAPHRASE 5:24-26

24 Besides, they who are Christ's brethren, have from love to him, and admiration of his character, crucified the body with the passions and lusts proper to it.
25 Since we live in the spiritual dispensation of the gospel, and enjoy the spiritual gifts, let us also walk by the spirit; that is, by the rules prescribed in this spiritual dispensation.
26 In particular, let us who enjoy the spiritual gifts, beware of being puffed up with pride, lest we provoke one another to anger; and let us who want these gifts, abstain from envying those who possess them.

COMMENT 5:24

they that are of Christ Jesus

1.

Christ Jesus is not a common expression.

a.

It occurs in Ephesians 3:1 and Colossians 2:6.

b.

The title Christ means the Anointed one, so it is The Anointed Jesus.

c.

It is questioned whether the expression is descriptive or a proper name.

2.

The expression is one of possession: are of Christ Jesus.

a.

We, as Christians, are Christ'S; we belong to Him.

Ye are Christ'S. 1 Corinthians 3:23

We are the Lord'S. Romans 14:8

God's own possession. Ephesians 1:14

3.

How do we become possessed of God and Christ?

a.

By faith we recognize Him as Lord.

b.

By repentance we will to become like Him.

c.

By baptism we die to the past and rise to walk in the kingdom of Christ.

d.

Our life is then a confession, accompanied by the words of our lips, that we are His.

e.

Romans 8:15 tells us that we may know that we are His.

1)

The Spirit's testimony says believe, confess, repent, be baptized, be faithful.

2)

My spirit says I have done these; therefore, the Spirit's testimony and my testimony are in accord.

3)

We are none of His if we have not been obedient.

f.

As many as are led by the Spirit. these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof

1.

This crucifixion is best described by Romans 6:1-6.

a.

Crucifixion is accomplished at baptism when one has willed to die to sin.

1)

There is nothing magical about water, that can conquer sin.

2)

Baptism crucifies only when mentally and spiritually there is a death to sin and a birth of the Spirit.

b.

Our old man is crucified with Him.

1)

We hang the flesh on the cross of Jesus.

2)

The flesh must not be taken down to ourselves again.

2.

What is the difference between passions and lusts?

a.

Passion appears as affections in the King James version.

b.

The Pulpit Commentary says:

1)

Passions (affections) denotes the disordered states of the soul viewed as in a condition of a disease.

2)

Lusts points to the goings forth of the soul towards objects which it is wrong to pursue.

c.

MacKnight says passions are malice, anger, revenge, envy, and pride.

COMMENT 5:25

If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk

1.

This suggests the sphere in which we should walk.

a.

Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Romans 8:9

b.

It is a spiritual realm rather than a physical one.

2.

At least three things will manifest themselves in a Spirit Walk.

a.

In the production of the fruit of the Spirit.

b.

In soul winning.

... they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

... turned world upside down. Acts 17:6

c.

In worship. Acts 2:42

COMMENT 5:26

Let us not

1.

This is a communicative form of exhortation in which the exhorter joins himself with the ones being exhorted.

a.

Why? Perhaps to soften the tone of superiority implied in exhorting them.

b.

A second viewpoint is to imply that they as yet were not vainglorious but were in danger of becoming so.

c.

A third definitely should be stated, for this was a temptation that could befall anyone including Paul.

become vainglorious

1.

Vainglorious means empty glory; perhaps a vain thinking respecting one's self.

2.

Galatians 6:3 probably throws light on what Paul means: If a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

3.

Boasting of one's attainment or even puffing up one's own self to oneself would be destructive of spiritual life.

provoking one another

1.

This word is found nowhere else in the N.T.

2.

Provoking, says The Pulpit Commentary, is perhaps not meant in the sense in which this English verb is now commonly used, as making angry, but challenging to legal controversy, or to battle, or to mutual comparative estimation in any way.

3.

There is a good provocation. Provoke. unto love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

envying one another

1.

There is a definite correlation of these two words, both of which appear only here in the N.T. (Pulpit Commentary).

a.

One group who thought they were strong, would challenge; another group who found themselves weaker, would envy.

b.

Both faults are traced to one rootthe excessive wish to be thought much of.

STUDY QUESTIONS 5:24-26

861.

Is the order of Jesus-' names unusual here?

862.

What does each title mean?

863.

Does this indicate that some belong to Christ?

864.

How do we become possessed by Christ?

865.

How do we know when we are?

866.

When does one crucify the flesh?

867.

When flesh is crucified, what goes with it?

868.

Does the water crucify the flesh?

869.

What is the difference between passions and lusts?

870.

Where in Romans is this subject discussed?

871.

With whom are we crucified?

872.

Is the Christian to consider himself fleshly or spiritual?

873.

What characterizes a spiritual walk?

874.

How can we allow the Spirit to lead our walk?

875.

If we live by the Spirit, would our walk naturally be a spiritual walk?

876.

Did Paul include himself in this exhortation?

877.

Does this imply that the Galatians were not yet guilty of vanity?

878.

Define vainglories.

879.

Is the proud person an empty person?

880.

What is meant by provoking one another?

881.

Is provocation good or bad, or both?

882.

What right have Christian people to envy one another?

883.

What is basically wrong with the individual who is envious?