Key Scripture: For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ~ Galatians 5:14
Galatians 5:13-26
13 For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”✡ 15 But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,✡ 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
Study Questions:
- Describe some examples of how Christians use their “freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” (v. 13). Romans 6:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Peter 2:16; Jude 1:4
- Review the other times in Scripture that the words in verse 14 are quoted. Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:30-33; Romans 13:9; James 2:8 (Matthew 5:43; 22:39; Luke 10:27) Did you know that it was quoted that often? Why do you think it is quoted so often?
- If there is biting and devouring going on, as mentioned in verse 15, what is most likely the deeper issue? Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:35; James 3:14-18; 1 Peter 1:22; Jude 1:19
- The statement by Paul in verse 18 is often misinterpreted to mean that God’s moral laws are no longer in effect. Review the list of sinful behavior in verses 19 and 20 and compare them to these scriptures: Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 18:10-11; Matthew 5:27-28; 22:36-40; Mark 7:21-23. What are some other examples?
- Compare verse 18 with Romans 8:1-4. Do these verses help explain how we are “not under the law”? See also Romans 7:4-6 and Hebrews 9:9-14.
- There is a teaching that once someone is saved, they are always saved. Discuss this in light of verse 21b. Matthew 7:20-23; 25:32-34, 41; 1 John 2:28-29. Look up verse 21b and 1 John 2:29 and see if you can locate a common word that may help clarify the difference between a single sin and what is referred to in this section.
- Is it possible to sin and still be a child of God? 1 John 1:9; 2:1 How does this differ from Hebrews 6:4-8?
- How does the fruit of the Spirit, referred to in verse 22, relate to what Jesus said in John 15:1-5?
- 1 John 5:1-5 says that if we love God and His Son, we will keep the commandments. Discuss this in light of living by the spirit a discussed in Galatians 5:22-26.
Memory Verse: Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. ~ Romans 12:2
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✡ 5:14 Leviticus 19:18
✡ 5:22 or faithfulness