_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 ]