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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by <i>the</i> Spirit, you are not under <i>the</i> Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if you are guided <i>and</i> led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses' laws.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not subject to Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by <i>the</i> Spirit, you are not under <i>the</i> Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But if you are led by The Spirit, you are not under The Written Law.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But if ye are under the conduct of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but if you are governed by the spirit, you are not subject to the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not subject to Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But, if ye are being led by <i>the</i> Spirit, ye are not under law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/5-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=1120" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/5.htm">Living by the Spirit</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/71.htm" title="71: agesthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.">you are led by</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumati (N-DNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">the Spirit,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomon (N-AMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14</a></span><br />For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17</a></span><br />Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14</a></span><br />For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a></span><br />But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32-36</a></span><br />Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” / “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a></span><br />For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9</a></span><br />You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-56.htm">1 Corinthians 15:56</a></span><br />The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-1.htm">Romans 8:1</a></span><br />Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a></span><br />And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a></span><br />Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Romans 8:13</a></span><br />For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a></span><br />And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.</p><p class="hdg">if.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16,25</a></b></br> <i>This</i> I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a></b></br> And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-4.htm">Psalm 25:4,5,8,9</a></b></br> Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths… </p><p class="hdg">ye are.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Galatians 4:5</a></b></br> To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14,15</a></b></br> For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Guided</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Led</a> <a href="/galatians/5-17.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Subject</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/5-25.htm">Guided</a> <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Led</a> <a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-21.htm">Subject</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">He wills them to stand in their liberty,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-3.htm">and not to observe circumcision;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">but rather love, which is the sum of the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">He lists the works of the flesh,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">and the fruits of the Spirit,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/5-25.htm">and exhorts to walk in the Spirit.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if you are led by the Spirit</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers. In the context of Galatians, Paul contrasts the life led by the Spirit with one bound by the law. The Spirit's guidance is a hallmark of the New Covenant, as prophesied in <a href="/ezekiel/36-27.htm">Ezekiel 36:27</a>, where God promises to put His Spirit within His people to enable them to follow His decrees. The leading of the Spirit is also a fulfillment of Jesus' promise in <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>, where He speaks of the Spirit of truth guiding believers into all truth. This guidance is not just a passive influence but an active leadership that transforms the believer's life, aligning it with God's will.<p><b>you are not under the law</b><br>This phrase highlights the freedom believers have from the Mosaic Law. In the historical context of Galatians, Paul addresses the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to Jewish law. Paul argues that faith in Christ, not adherence to the law, justifies a person (<a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a>). The law served as a tutor to lead us to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>), but now that faith has come, believers are no longer under its supervision. This freedom from the law does not mean a license to sin but rather living under the law of Christ, which is characterized by love and guided by the Spirit (<a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a>). This reflects the new identity and relationship believers have with God, as they are now children of God through faith in Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">Galatians 3:26</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul is emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatian_churches.htm">Galatian Churches</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, who were struggling with the influence of Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The third person of the Trinity, who guides and empowers believers to live a life that pleases God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>Refers to the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites and includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a></b><br>A group of Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile converts must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be truly saved.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and empowers them to live according to God's will, beyond the constraints of the law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_the_law.htm">Freedom from the Law</a></b><br>Being led by the Spirit means living in the freedom that Christ provides, not being bound by the legalistic requirements of the Mosaic Law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity.htm">Spiritual Maturity</a></b><br>Spiritual maturity involves discerning the Spirit's leading and aligning one's life with God's purposes, rather than merely following rules.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_law's_purpose.htm">The Law's Purpose</a></b><br>The law serves to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, but it is the Spirit that enables a life of righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a></b><br>A life led by the Spirit is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, as opposed to the works of the flesh.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_walking_in_the_spirit_mean.htm">What does walking in the Spirit mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_law_vs._grace.htm">What does the Bible say about law versus grace?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'not_under_the_law'_mean.htm">What does "not under the law" mean for Christians?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_priscilla_and_aquila_aid_apollos.htm">Is there any law against such things?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Ye are not under the law.</span>--Strictly, <span class= "ital">Ye are not under law</span>--law in the abstract. The flesh and law are correlative terms: to be free from the one is to be free from the other. The flesh represents unaided human nature, and law is the standard which this unaided human nature strives, but strives in vain, to fulfil. By the intervention of the Spirit, the law is fulfilled at the same time that its domination is abolished and human nature ceases to be unaided. In its highest part it is brought into direct contact with the divine nature, and the whole tenor of its actions changes accordingly.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye</span> <span class="cmt_word">are not under the Law</span> (<span class="greek_word">ei) de\ Pneu/mati a&gesqe</span>, <span class="greek">οὐκ ἐστὲ ὑπὸ νόμον</span>); <span class="accented">but if ye are led by the Spirit</span>, <span class="accented">ye are not under the Law.</span> The sense of <span class="greek">Πνεύματι</span> as denoting the Spirit of God is put beyond question by the parallel passage in Romans (Romans 8:14), "As many as are led by the Spirit of God (<span class="greek">Πνεύματι Θεοῦ ἄγονται</span>), these are sons of God." The dative case with <span class="greek">ἄγομαι</span> in both passages is illustrated by <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">2 Timothy 3:6</a>, "silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts (<span class="greek">ἀγόμενα ἐπιθομίαις</span> <span class="greek">ποικίλαις</span>)." In all three cases the dative must be the dative of the agent, there being in <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">2 Timothy 3:6</a> a slight personification. This use of the dative is not in prose writers a common construction with passive verbs, though not altogether unknown (Winer, ' Gram. N.T.,' § 3l, 10). In the present case its harshness is perhaps relieved by the circumstance that the noun does not represent an agent whose personality is markedly conspicuous <span class="accented">ab extra</span>; but rather an internally swaying influence, whoso personality is a matter of faith. Hence in <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">2 Timothy 3:6</a> we render, "led away <span class="accented">with</span> divers lusts." This shade of sense might be represented by rendering, "led with the Spirit." In <a href="/luke/4-1.htm">Luke 4:1</a>, "led by the Spirit," we have <span class="greek">ἤγετο ἐν</span> <span class="greek">τῷ Πνεύματι</span>. In all these passages the passive, "being led," must, from the nature of the case, include the voluntary self-subjection of those led. In Romans," being led by the Spirit" stands instead of "walking after the Spirit" in ver. 4; "being after the Spirit" in ver. 5; "by the Spirit mortifying the deeds of the body" in ver. 13. Similarly, here it is tantamount to the "walking by the Spirit" mentioned above in ver. 16. The phrase cannot be fairly understood of merely having that <span class="accented">presence</span> of the Holy Spirit. which is predicated of the whole "body of Christ," even of those members thereof whose conduct is plainly not regulated by the sacred influence (comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">1 Corinthians 12:13</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a>); it must be understood as describing the case of such as recognize its presence and yield themselves to its guidance. The sense of the phrase, "being under the Law," is illustrated by <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Galatians 3:23</a>, "we were kept in ward under the Law;, <a href="/galatians/4-4.htm">Galatians 4:4</a>, "made to be under the Law;" ibid., 5, "to redeem those which were under the Law;" ibid., 21, "ye who would fain be under the Law;" <a href="/romans/6-14.htm">Romans 6:14, 15</a>, "not under the Law, but under grace;" <a href="/1_corinthians/9-20.htm">1 Corinthians 9:20</a>, "to those which are under the Law as under the Law, that I might gain those who are under the Law." These are all the passages in which the expression occurs. The inference is clear that the apostle designates by it the condition of such as are subject to the Law of the old covenant, viewed as a whole, in its ceremonial aspect as well as its moral; his meaning would not be exhausted by the paraphrase, "subject to the condemnation of the Law." What he affirms here is this: If in the course of your lives you are habitually swayed by the inward motions of the Spirit of God, then you are not subject to the Law of the old covenant. The connection between the premiss and the conclusion has been clearly shown by the apostle above (<a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Galatians 4:5-7</a>), it is this, that the possession of the Spirit of adoption proves a man to be a "son" - one who has attained his majority and is no longer subject to a <span class="accented">pedagogue.</span> This aphorism of the apostle, that <span class="accented">if</span> they were led by the Spirit they were not under the Law, suggests the inquiry - But how was it with those Christians who were <span class="accented">not</span> led by the Spirit? Would the apostle teach, or would he allow us to say, that Gentile Christians (for it is to such that he is writing), and Jewish as well, if not guided by the Spirit, <span class="accented">were</span> bound to obey the Law of the old covenant? With reference to this point we are to consider that the apostle has elsewhere clearly stated, for example in <a href="/romans/11.htm">Romans 11</a>, that the Church of God forms, in solidarity with Israel of old, one "Israel of God," as he speaks in the sixth chapter of this Epistle (ver. 16); Gentiles, being "grafted in" upon the original stock, have thus become branches (<span class="greek">σύμφυτοι</span>) having one common life and nature therewith; or, in the language of another figure, "fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus," with those who originally were heirs and forming the body and partners in the promised blessing (<a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Ephesians 3:6</a>). This leads us to the view that God's Law, the revelation of his will relative to his people's conduct, given in successive developments - patriarchal, Mosaical, prophetical - is, with such modifications as have been made by the crucifixion and the priesthood of Christ, and by the mission and work of the Holy Spirit, God's Law relative to his people's conduct still. The cross and priestly work of Christ, as we are taught by this Epistle and the Epistle to the Hebrews, do for all Christians eliminate from this Law its ceremonial prescriptions altogether; but its moral prescriptions, more fully perfected by the moral teaching of Jesus and his apostles, are still incumbent upon them. Those Christians who really give themselves up to the Spirit to be taught and animated by him, who are as St. Paul says (<a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a>) "spiritual," these use this Law (as Calvin phrases it) as a <span class="accented">doctrina liberalis</span>; the Law of the Spirit of life within them leads and enables them to recognize, and so to speak assimilate, the kindred import of the Law embodied in the letter; which thus ministers to their instruction and consolation (<a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">1 Corinthians 9:10</a>). The letter of the Law is now their helper, no longer their absolute rigid rule; as a rule it is superseded by the law written in the heart (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6-11</a>; <a href="/hebrews/8-8.htm">Hebrews 8:8-11</a>). As Chrysostom writes in his note on the present passage, "They are raised to a height far above the Law's injunction." But in the degree in which they axe not spiritual, but natural (<span class="greek">ψυχικοί</span>, <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14-16</a>; <a href="/jude/1-19.htm">Jude 1:19</a>), in that degree must they use the letter of the Law, in the New Testament as well as the Old, as the rule of their conduct. We, those who have been sacramentally brought into covenant with God, cannot be left to ourselves; either we must be sweetly, persuasively, instinctively, swayed by the Spirit of God within, or else own the coercing dominion of the written Law. In fact, the same individual Christian may at different times be subject to alternation between these two diverse phases of experience, passing over from one to the other of them according to his fluctuating needs. Christians may, therefore, be broadly divided into three classes: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> the spiritual (<a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a>; <a href="/romans/8-1.htm">Romans 8:1-4</a>); <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> those who are as yet in bondage to the letter; <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> those who are living after the flesh - "carnal" (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">1 Corinthians 3:3</a>). <p>The above statement of the case commends itself as in accordance with what the apostle writes in <a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8-11</a>, "We know that the Law is good [<span class="greek">καλός</span>: cf. <a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a>] if a man use it lawfully [<span class="greek">νομίμως</span>, according to the manner in which God has directed us to use it in his gospel (ver. 11)], knowing this [having his eye upon this], that the Law is not made (<span class="greek">οὐ κεῖται</span>) for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for,.., according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God." In contrast with this Law, coercing impiety and immorality wherever it is found, whether in the world or in the Church, the apostle has before in ver. 5 declared that its function is superseded in the case of the spiritual believer: "The end of the commandment [see Alford] is charity, out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned." The perpetual obligation of the Law given under the old covenant, subject to the qualifications noted above, appears to be emphatically affirmed by our Lord: "I came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil: for verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the Law, till all things be accomplished" (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17, 18</a>). And the recognition of this principle underlies all his moral teaching; as, for example, in the sermon on the mount; in his controversies with the Jewish rabbins; in such passages as <a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Mark 10:19</a>; <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>. The moral Law given in the Old Testament amalgamates itself with that given in the New, forming one whole. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/5-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are led by</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄγεσθε</span> <span class="translit">(agesthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_71.htm">Strong's 71: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Spirit,</span><br /><span class="grk">Πνεύματι</span> <span class="translit">(Pneumati)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, spirit. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστὲ</span> <span class="translit">(este)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑπὸ</span> <span class="translit">(hypo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Law.</span><br /><span class="grk">νόμον</span> <span class="translit">(nomon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/5-18.htm">Galatians 5:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/5-18.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by (Gal. 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