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Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Galatians 5:17

Verse 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit] God still continues to strive with you, notwithstanding your apostasy, showing you whence you have fallen, and exciting you to return to him; but your own obstinacy renders all ineffectual; and through the influence of these different principles, you are kept in a state of self-opposition and self-distraction, so that you cannot do the things that ye would. You are convinced of what is right, and ye wish to do it; but, having abandoned the Gospel and the grace of Christ, the law and its ordinances which ye have chosen in their place afford you no power to conquer your evil propensities. It was on this ground that the apostle exhorted them, Galatians 5:16, to walk in the Spirit, that they might not fulfil the lust of the flesh; as without the grace of God they could do nothing. Who can suppose that he speaks this of adult Christians?

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See also Galatians 5:17 in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT - The inclinations and desires of the flesh are contrary to those of the Spirit. They draw us away in an opposite direction, and while the Spirit of God would...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. THE WALK OF THE JUSTIFIED BELIEVER, AS NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE CHAPTER 5 _ 1. Stand fast! Be not entangled! (Galatians 5:1)_ 2. Exhortations and the law of love. (Galatians 5:7) 3....

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GALATIANS 5:13 TO GALATIANS 6:10. Practical appendix to the epistle; in the form of guarding the doctrine of free grace against antinomian abuse....

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    I tell you, let your walk and conversation be dominated by the Spirit, and don't let the desires of the lower side of your nature have their way. For the desires of the lower side of human nature are...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    AN OLD STORY AND A NEW MEANING (Galatians 4:21-31 ; Galatians 5:1) 5:1 Tell me this--you who want to be subject to the law, you listen to it being read to you, don't you? Well, then, it stands writte...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    AGAINST. Greek. _kata_. App-104. AND. The texts read "for". ARE CONTRARY. Greek. _antikeimai_. See 2Co 16:9. SO THAT. in order that, Greek. _hina_. CANNOT. may not (Greek. _me)_. WOULD. Gr _thelo...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    I say -fulfil" for I well know that the spiritual life is, and must be, one of conflict you must fight manfully under Christ's banner and continue His faithful soldiers unto your life's end. The flesh...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    16–24. _The nature, outcome, and means of Liberty in daily life_ (Galatians 5:16) In contrast to such disputes, which are the visible signs of lives lived by the flesh, walk by the spirit and you will...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΤΑΥ͂ΤΑ ΓᾺΡ א*BD*G latt. ταῦτα δὲ אcACDcKLP etc. syrHarcl.; ταῦτα οὖν syrpesh. Origint. 17. Ἡ ΓᾺΡ ΣᾺΡΞ. γάρ introduces the reason for the triumph over the flesh (Galatians 5:16): the flesh lusts agains...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    13–6:10. PRACTICAL. LIBERTY IS NOT LICENSE BUT SERVICE; NOT THE FLESH BUT THE SPIRIT MUST BE THE AIM OF THE BELIEVER...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΠΙΘΥΜΕΪ́ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΈΠΙΘΥΜΈΩ (G1937) желать, хотеть, стремиться. Использование гл. указывает на наиболее активное проявление плотской похоти (Guthrie). ΆΝΤ ΚΕΊΤΑΙ _praes. ind. med. (dep....

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2083 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLESH AND SPIRIT CONSIDERED Galatians 5:17. _The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, &C.— As it is plain that by the _flesh,_ which is the same with what the Apostle calls _the body of sin_ and _the old man_ (Romans 6:6.), we are to understand...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Victory over the flesh Galatians 5:16-26 TEXT 5:16-18 (16) But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spiri...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    _VERSE 17. FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH._ VERSE 17. And these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Christ al...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. FOR - the reason why walking...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 This paragraph is the summary and conclusion of the doctrinal argument. Tersely, he puts the case. Which shall it be _ Christ _ or _ circumcision_!' No half hearted allegiance here, no serving of tw...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY 1-12. The futility of seeking justification by attempting to comply with the demands of the Mosaic Law; the inconsistency of works and faith as methods of salvation. P...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The carnal desires are opposed to the Spirit, and the impulses from the Spirit are contrary to these desires....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE GALATIANS _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 5 CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE V1 We have freedom because Christ has made us free. Be certain that you remain free. You must not allow yourselv...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (16-26) To follow the guidance of the Spirit is to obtain a double release: on the one hand, from the evil appetites and passions of the flesh or of sense — which is the direct antithesis to the Spiri...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOR THE FLESH... — In this verse we have brought out most distinctly the antithesis between the flesh and the Spirit, which is one of the root ideas in the psychology of St. Paul. It does not amount t...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 23 CHRIST'S SPIRIT AND HUMAN FLESH. Galatians 5:16 LOVE is the guard of Christian freedom. The Holy Spirit is its guide. These principles accomplish what the law could never do. It withheld...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    σὰρξ … πνεῦμα. All the various motives which operate on the mind and will to prompt intention and action are comprehended under one of the two categories, spirit and flesh. The line of division betwee...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    MEN WHO REGULATE THEIR LIVES BY THE SPIRIT WILL NOT CARRY OUT DESIRES OF THE FLESH. FOR GOD HAS SET THESE TWO FORCES IN MUTUAL ANTAGONISM WITHIN OUR HEARTS FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF KEEPING DUE CHECK...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:13 That Christ has freed us from the Law as a means of salvation does not free us from moral restraint, but brings us under the constraint of a higher law,...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The whole law of liberty is stated in the sentences, "For freedom did Christ set us free," "stand fast therefore," and "be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage." He then refers first to circumcis...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    For the (i) flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (i) For the flesh dwells ev...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    So that you [1] do not the things that you would. He does not say, so that you cannot do, as others falsely translate; as if men were under an absolute necessity of sinning, or doing ill; which is als...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Galatians 1:1-24. We saw the second of Corinthians characterized by the most rapid transitions of feeling, by a deep and fervent sense of God's consolations, by a revulsion so much the more powerful i...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _POSITIVE CHRISTIANITY_ ‘Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.’ Galatians 5:16 These Galatians were a fierce, brave, generous, but untamed race of mountaineers, whose c...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE CONFLICT WITH SIN_ ‘For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.’ Gala...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    17._For the flesh lusteth_. The spiritual life maintained without a struggle. We are here informed of the nature of the difficulty, which arises from our natural inclinations being opposed to the Spir...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    It is in this liberty, the liberty of Christ, alluding to the free woman and Jerusalem above, that they were to stand fast, and not put themselves again under the yoke of the law. If they took that gr...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT,.... By "flesh" is meant, not the carnal or literal sense of the Scripture, which is Origen's gloss, as militating against the spiritual sense of it; nor the s...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Ver. 17. _For the flesh lusteth...

  • Jonathan Edwards' Notes On The Scriptures

    Gal. 5:17. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." By this, with the c...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _I say then_ He now explains what he proposed Galatians 5:13; _Walk in_, or by, _the Spirit_ Namely, the Spirit of God: follow his guidance, exercise his graces, and bring forth his fruits: at all tim...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    LUSTETH AGAINST; strongly desires what the Holy Spirit forbids. THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH; the Holy Spirit and all that is right in Christians oppose the indulgence of sinful desires. Hence a warf...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The works of the flesh:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH; AND THESE ARE CONTRARY THE ONE TO THE OTHER, SO THAT YE CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YE WOULD....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    LIBERTY TO BE PRACTICED (vs.1-6) Chapter 4 dealt with the perfect freedom introduced by God Himself through Christ, freedom given to all who have been redeemed by His precious blood, freedom from the...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    I SAY THEN: WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH. Let the Spirit - Guard, Guide and Dirct Stay with the Spirit = No flesh problems Flesh problems? Need more spirit wa...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    16-26 If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall no...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; By THE FLESH and THE SPIRIT, we cannot so much understand the sensitive and rational appetite; for these two appetites are not so contrary, but that in many things they agree well enough; and...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. [The Christian is under the guidan...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VI The commandments are written, then, doubly, as appears, for twofold spirits, the ruling and the subject."For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spiri...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Galatians 5:17 For G1063 flesh G4561 lusts G1937 (G5719) against G2596 Spirit G4151 and G1161 Spirit G4151 again

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘But I say, “Walk by the Spirit and you will not fulfil the longing of the flesh. For the flesh longs against the Spirit, and the Spirit longs against the flesh. For these are contrary, the one to the...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    FREEDOM IS NOT TO BE MISINTERPRETED AS LICENCE. THEY MUST WALK IN LOVE AND BY THE SPIRIT (GALATIANS 5:13). Paul now goes on to deal with the charge that the Gospel he is presenting gives men licence t...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Galatians 5:17. FOR THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT _(strives)_ AGAINST THE FLESH. There is a conflict between reason and appetite, between conscience and depravity, between the h...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _Walking by the Spirit. The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit._ Paul exhorts the Galatians to lead a truly Christian life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and contrasts the vices o...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    LUSTETH AGAINST (επιθυμε κατα). Like a tug of war. This use of σαρξ as opposed to the Spirit (Holy Spirit) personifies σαρξ. Lightfoot argues that επιθυμε cannot be used with the Spirit and so some...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Galatians 5:17 The Conflict of the Christian Life. Observe: I. The nature of the conflict. The struggle of the watchful, ever-lusting flesh against the spirit is a matter of the commonest Christian...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Galatians 5:1. _Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage._ «You are not under the law, but under grace. Do not subje...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Galatians 5:13. _For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another._ Do not turn your liberty into license. The apostle...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Remember, beloved brethren, that the Epistle to the Galatians is one in which Paul, with especial clearness, proves the doctrine of justification by faith alone. So much is this the case, that the fam...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Galatians 5:1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ had made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Chris...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Liberty of the believer in Christ, apart from the law. Conflict of flesh and the Spirit. Christian character the result of the Spirit's work not self-effort. CHARACTERS: Christ, Holy Spirit...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Galatians 5:1. _Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,_ by the redemption he has procured through the shedding of his own most precious blood. The liberty of your cele...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    IS OPPOSED. "The evil desires of our human nature (Galatians 5:20-21) are in conflict with what the Spirit wants us to do (Galatians 5:22-23)_."_ THIS MEANS. "If you are to live your life in the Spiri...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh._ CONTEST BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT Here is a battle--a struggle--described: one in which we must all fight. Our own corrupt...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GALATIANS—NOTE ON GALATIANS 5:16 Life under the law expresses itself in the works of the flesh, but those who live by the Spirit bear fruit pleasing to God. ⇐...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _The flesh lusteth against the Spirit._ From this the Manichæans inferred that man has two souls one spiritual, which is good and the gift of a good god, and another carnal, which is evil and the gift...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 5 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. S. Paul proceeds to urge the Galatians not to submit to the yoke of the Old Law, lest they be deprived of the fruits of Christ's righteousness, since in Him neit...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _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 SERV...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GALATIANS 5:1 GALATIANS 5:2 BEHOLD, I PAUL SAY UNTO YOU (ἴδε, ἐγὼ Παῦλος λώγω ὑμῖν); _lo_,_ I Paul say unto you. _The adverbial exclamation ἴδε, found in St. Paul's writings on...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now to Galatians chapter five. The whole concept is: how do I establish a righteous standing before God? Can I be righteous by keeping the law? Or am I righteous by my simple faith in Je...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 1:8; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Galatians 3:21; Isaiah 6:5; James 3:2;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Are contrary [α ν τ ι κ ε ι τ α ι]. The verb means to lie opposite to; hence to oppose, withstand. The sentence these - to the other is not parenthetical. So that [ι ν α]. Connect with these are cont...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS Much is written about the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. The Epistles of Paul are freighted with many marvelous messages relative to the Sp...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE GRACES OF THE SPIRIT'S INDWELLING Galatians 5:14 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. The works of the flesh are manifest. It is not necessary for anyone to draw upon his imagination to describe the works of...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    For the flesh desireth against the Spirit — Nature desires what is quite contrary to the Spirit of God. But the Spirit against the flesh — — But the Holy Spirit on his part opposes your evil nature. T...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    These words are brought in as. special reason why Christians should walk in the Spirit, that is, after the motions and guidance of God's Holy Spirit: because otherwise the flesh will quickly prevail o...

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