Galatians 5:26 Commentary

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Galatians 5:26

Comments

On the basis that Paul’s letters were all addressed to real situations, and that he did not issue warnings that were unnecessary (Hendrickson), we can be sure that there was a genuine problem of this nature among the Galatians. It is inevitable that when Christians do not walk in the Spirit, when they return to the law, the works of the flesh begin to show themselves. ‘Let us not become conceited’. We may become conceited about ordinary things such as the natural skills or gifts that we have been given, but we may also boast about spiritual experiences or spiritual knowledge. In the present context it is more likely that Paul has the latter in mind. Since the law measures self-achievement, it is not surprising that the Galatians, who had turned back to the law again, were in danger of bragging and boasting about their supposed spiritual advance and imagined superiority.

Application

All three of these evils go together – conceit, provocation, and envy. Conceit in a man soon leads him to provoke others, says Paul, because the proud man is incapable of conducting himself in a modest and gracious way. He provokes others when he thrusts his own achievements in front of them, and in doing so provokes them to show the same wrong behaviour in return. Because he measures himself by his own works, he is very conscious also of the works of others, and falls into a way of thinking that constantly makes comparisons with others and thus easily slips into envy. Envy searches for faults in others and provokes bad behaviour in them in order to have grounds to justify its existence. It is easier to remain humble and to let self be forgotten in the presence of the meek than in the presence of the proud, since pride in others stirs up pride in ourselves.

Questions

Why is envy foolish? Because to envy those who possess the goods of this world is to envy those who possess what is passing away and will perish and will be taken from them at death, and is unable to satisfy the soul even while they have it. But to envy those who possess spiritual riches is also foolish, for no man can receive these unless they are given to him by God. And who does God give these gifts to? To those who walk humbly and don’t boast in what they have, who receive his gifts with thanks.

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Galatians 5:26 Commentary and Bible Study

The meaning of Galatians 5:26 explained