We are free. The Son has made us free, and we are free indeed, though not free to disobey the dictates and promptings of our new nature. We are set free from minute prescriptions, from priestly rules and requisitions, from all that would cramp and hinder our spiritual development; but we are still under the law of Christ, who will see to it that the essential righteousness of the Mosaic law is fulfilled in us, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit," Romans 8:1.
If the Mosaic law is kept as a means of salvation, we must fulfill it all, Galatians 5:3. For himself, as "we" suggests, Galatians 5:5, Paul had an assured confidence that his hope could not be disappointed. Christ is ever calling us upward, Galatians 5:8. Be on guard against the ferment of false teaching, Galatians 5:9. The Apostle shows the absurdity of supposing that he was in favor of circumcision, since, if that were the case, the long persecution of his life would cease, Galatians 5:11. These verses were in Bunyan's mind when he depicted Mr. Worldly Wiseman, of the town of Carnal Policy, as endeavoring to turn Christian out of the Way of the Cross to the house of Mr. Legality. [source]
Chapter Summary: Galatians 5
1He wills them to stand in their liberty, 3and not to observe circumcision; 13but rather love, which is the sum of the law 19He lists the works of the flesh, 22and the fruits of the Spirit, 25and exhorts to walk in the Spirit
Greek Commentary for Galatians 5:8
This persuasion [η πεισμονη] “The art of persuasion,” the effort of the Judaizers to persuade you. Only here and in ecclesiastical writers. [source]
This persuasion [ἡ πεισμονὴ] Or, the persuasion. N.T.oolxx, oClass. It occurs in Ignatius, Rom. iii.: and Just. Mart. Ap. i. 53. The sense is not passive, your being persuaded, but active, the persuasion which the Judaising teachers exert over you. Comp. 1 Corinthians 1:4, πιθοῖς λόγοις persuasivewords. There may be a slight word play on πείθεσθαι and πεισμονὴ . Obedience to the truth is the result of the persuasive power of the truth. [source]
Greek Commentary for Galatians 5:8
“The art of persuasion,” the effort of the Judaizers to persuade you. Only here and in ecclesiastical writers. [source]
Or, the persuasion. N.T.oolxx, oClass. It occurs in Ignatius, Rom. iii.: and Just. Mart. Ap. i. 53. The sense is not passive, your being persuaded, but active, the persuasion which the Judaising teachers exert over you. Comp. 1 Corinthians 1:4, πιθοῖς λόγοις persuasivewords. There may be a slight word play on πείθεσθαι and πεισμονὴ . Obedience to the truth is the result of the persuasive power of the truth. [source]
Very often applied to God by Paul. See Romans 8:30; Romans 9:11; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Galatians 1:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:121 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:14. The persuasion to subject yourselves to the Jewish law does not proceed from him who called you to freedom in Christ. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 5:8
the caller. The emphasis is on the person rather than on the act. Comp. Romans 9:11; Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:15; Galatians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:10; James 1:5. [source]