Galatians 5:13

ἐπʼ ἐλευθερίᾳ. Our versions render this unto (for R.V.) freedom, as though it were the design of the Gospel to lead to freedom. But the Greek text affirms rather that God's call was based upon freedom, and so makes it an essential element in spiritual life and the inalienable right of every true Christian. μόνον μὴ. A warning is added that freedom, essential as it is to spiritual life, is open to abuse by carnal men, and that it is subject to the demands of the higher Law of mutual love. “Only do not treat it as an opening for carnal self-indulgence, but for loving service to each other.” μόνον is used in the same elliptical way in Galatians 2:10 and 2 Thessalonians 2:7; and the ellipsis of the verb after μή is common in rhetorical passages. ἀφορμήν. This term was applied in military language to a base of operations, and generally to any starting-point for action. In Romans 7:8; Romans 7:11; 2 Corinthians 11:12 it denotes an opening for sin, as it does here. δουλεύετε. This injunction contains an instructive paradox. Christians are freed from the trammels of outward Law, not that they may please themselves, but that they may become slaves to the Law of mutual love. The true ideal of the Christian is not freedom, but unfettered service to the love of God and man, which annihilates self, and subordinates all selfish desires to perfect love. A similar paradox is found in 1 Corinthians 7:22, he that was called, being free, is the bondservant of Christ.