Walking by the Spirit

The Galatians were divided over circumcision and law. Paul warns that freedom can be misused (5:13).

Overview

Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. When we walk by the Spirit, God grows in us love, joy, peace and more.

Going deeper

Fruit is singular: one harvest with nine expressions. Works are many and divisive. 'Walk' and 'keep in step' (v16, v25) describe daily dependence.

Key verses (KJV)

Galatians 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

From the commentaries

16. This I say then—Repeating in other words, and explaining the sentiment in Ga 5:13, What I mean is this." Walk in the Spirit—Greek, "By (the rule of) the (Holy) Spirit." Compare Ga 5:16-18, 22, 25; Ga 6:1-8, with Ro 7:22; 8:11. The best way to keep tares out of a bushel is to fill it with wheat. the flesh—the natural man, out of which flow the evils specified (Ga 5:19-21). The spirit and the flesh mutually exclude one another. It is promised, not that we should have no evil lusts, but that we should "not fulfil" them. If the spirit that is in us can be at ease under sin, it is not a spirit that comes from the Holy Spirit. The gentle dove trembles at the sight even of a hawk's feather.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)

Verse 16 Walk in the Spirit - Get back that Spirit of God which you have grieved and lost; take up that spiritual religion which you have abandoned. Ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh - If the Spirit of God dwell in and rule your heart, the whole carnal mind will be destroyed; and then, not only carnal ordinances will be abandoned, but also the works and propensities of the flesh.
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)

16. This I say then. Now follows the remedy. The ruin of the church is no light evil, and whatever threatens it must be opposed with the most determined resistance. But how is this to be accomplished? By not permitting the flesh to rule in us, and by yielding ourselves to the direction of the Spirit of God. The Galatians are indirectly told, that they are carnal, destitute of the Spirit of God, and that the life which they lead is unworthy of Christians; for whence did their violent conduct towards each other proceed, but from their being guided by the lust of the flesh? This, he tells them, is an evidence that they do not walk according to the Spirit. Ye shall not fulfill. We ought to mark
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)

Verse 16. This I say then. This is the true rule about overcoming the propensities of your carnal natures, and of avoiding the evils of strife and contention. Walk. The Christian life is often represented as a journey; and the word walk, in the Scripture, is often equivalent to live, Mr 7:5. See Barnes "Ro 4:12"; See Barnes "Ro 6:4"; See Barnes "Ro 8:1". In the Spirit. Live under the influences of the Holy Spirit; admit those influences fully into your hearts. Do not resist him, but yield to all his suggestions. See Barnes "Ro 8:1". What the Holy Spirit would produce, Paul states in Ga 5:22,23". If a man would yield his heart to those influences, he would be able to overcome all his evil pro
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)

Application

Which work of the flesh shows up most in your life?
Which fruit do you most want God to grow?
What would keeping in step with the Spirit look like tomorrow?

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