Galatians 5:16

λέγω δὲ. Galatians 4:1 note. The δέ primarily, after St Paul’s manner, expresses a contrast to the immediately preceding description of disputes, but the chief motive of the following passage is to explain what is meant by liberty (Galatians 5:13) in daily life, and how it is to be attained.

πνεύματι, dat. of norm, Galatians 5:25; Galatians 6:16. Spirit as such with no immediate reference to the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. See Appendix, Note F.

περιπατεῖτε. περιπατεῖν in this metaphorical sense seems not to be found outside Greek affected by Semitic thought, see Colossians 1:10 note. καὶ ἐπιθυμίαν. Colossians 3:5 note; cf. Galatians 5:24. Defined by the following substantive, therefore translate “the lust.”

σαρκὸς (Galatians 3:3). οὐ μὴ τελέσητε, “ye shall not accomplish.” Result, not command. For οὐ μή see Moulton, Proleg., 1906, pp. 187–192. Milligan on 1 Thessalonians 4:15, who quotes the naughty boy’s letter in the Papyri (ii.—iii. cents, A.D.), ἂμ μὴ πέμψῃς οὐ μὴ φάλγω, οὐ μὴ πεινῶ. ταῦτα, “If you don‘t send, I won‘t eat, I won’t drink, there now!” τελέσητε, bring to its legitimate end, 2 Timothy 4:7; cf. James 1:15.