Galatians
5:1-25
(Galatians 5:1, 13-25)
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Historical
References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Commandment VIII, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
- I.VI.3, V.XI.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter IV, Chapter X, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
- III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- III.5, IV.7, IV.8, V.6, VI.16, VII.12, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter VI, Chapter XXVII, Chapter XXXIII, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
- II.2, II.7, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202)
- Chapter XVI, Chapter XL, On the Soul, Tertullian (c 210)
- Chapter X, Chapter XXIII, Chapter XLV, Chapter XLIX, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- V.4, V.10, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- Chapter I, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
- Chapter I, Chapter VI, Chapter XVII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- I.III.4, III.II.3, III.IV.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- V.XXI, VIII.XI, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- V.XLVIII, VI.LVII, VII.LII, VIII.XXIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
- XIV.1, XIV.3, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- On the Dress of Virgins, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 249)
- Epistle VI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
- On the Lord's Prayer -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
- Commentary by St. John Chrysostom.
- Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 5:1-13) (Galatians 5:14-26) by Martin Luther.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- "He acknowledges the great weakness of the godly, because they are but in part regenerated: but he exhorts them to remember that they are endued with the Spirit of God, who has delivered them from the slavery of sin, and so from the Law, inasmuch as it is the power of sin, so that they should not give themselves to lusts."
- From
Matthew Henry's
Commentary.
- "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 not have dominion over us."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
- "Take heed ye be not consumed one of another - By bitterness, strife, and contention, our health and strength, both of body and soul, are consumed, as well as our substance and reputation."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "The fruits named are not our fruits, but of the Spirit in us. If we bear these fruits we show that we have the Spirit."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Alicia Vargas, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2016.
- "The first verse of our text for this week includes a reiteration of the great theme of Paul's letter to the Galatians: "For freedom Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1)."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas.
- Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
- Commentary, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 | Ryan Leif Hansen | Lead Pastor, Blakemore Church of the Nazarene, Nashville, TN | A Plain Account, 2016
- "Paul's letter to the Galatian churches is one long, angry, passionate, and life-giving argument regarding the expansiveness of God's saving work in Jesus and the resulting freedom of those who find themselves in Christ."
- "Christian Freedom," Commented Bible Passages from Taize, 2010.
- Commentary,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Sarah Henrich, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2013.
- "Do not look back to a world where supervision was necessary because we could not walk by the Spirit. Embrace your freedom to reject those values and ways. Live for one another, as God has lived for you."
- "The Fruit of the Spirit," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "But if good works are not the cause of salvation, they are nonetheless the mark and effect of it. If the forgiven man does not become forgiving, the loved man loving, then he is only deceiving himself."
- "From Whence Comes Character?" Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2013.
- "Christianity is not a constricting undergarment. Instead, it is an invitation to freedom from the pull of corrupted character."
- "The Politics of Galatians 5:16-26," Tom Williams, Political Theology, 2013.
- "Paul," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
- "And how long was the whole great circus to last? Paul said, why, until we all become human beings at last, until we all 'come to maturity,' as he put it; and then, since there had been only one really human being since the world began, until we all make it to where we're like him, he said - 'to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ' (Ephesians 4:13). Christs to each other, Christs to God. All of us. Finally. It was just as easy, and just as hard, as that."
- It's Not About You! Andrew Prior, One Man's Web, 2013.
- "How adequate or useful today is Paul's imagining of what is going on in our communal life as a church?"
- "Love Means...," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2013.
- "The only way to truly find freedom is to give yourself away in love, and the only way to truly give yourself away in love is when you are free. St. Augustine said it this way :'love, and do what you will.'"
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Commentary,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Elisabeth Johnson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2010.
- "Resisting the Yoke of Slavery..."
-
"First
Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary,"
Pentecost 6, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in
Australia.
- "Religion can damage people. It can also make them well. Paul sees that clearly and is not willing to accommodate such abuse in the name of not rocking the boat."
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
"Freedom and Obedience," Jake Wilson, The Ekklesia Project, 2010.
- "In contrast to the destructive works of flesh, the freedom to be Church is sustained by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience?these are the marks of individuals and communities who live in the freedom that only God can offer."
-
Lectionary Commentary,
Galatians 5:16-24, Aubra Love,
The African American Commentary,
2010.
- "To avoid 'devouring one another' (5:15) requires personal responsibility, restraint and stewardship of care for one another."
-
Lectionary Commentary, Galatians 5:1-13, Sherman H. Cox, II,
The African American Commentary,
2009.
- "We may have gotten sidetracked in our Christian walk?enticed and misguided, in part from being miseducated. We may have bought into one or another lie promising freedom, yet keeping us in bondage. The good news is, however, freedom is still at hand and available."
- Galatians 5:1, 13-26, Opportunity to Do Good: The Letter to the Galatians, Craig Koester, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1989.
-
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, "A place of
conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
- "Now, think about what it would mean in your life to live freedom without all its current patriotic trimmings."
- "Contrasts of the Gospel," "For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "The Goal of the Gospel (Galatians 5:1-12)," by Robert L. Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "The War Without and the War Within - Part 1 (Galatians 5:13-26)," by Robert L. Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "The War Without and the War Within - Part 2 (Galatians 5:13-26)," by Robert L. Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- Circumcision: "Sign of the Covenant," from And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible by Ronald L. Ecker.
- Commentary,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Alicia Vargas, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2016.
- Articles & Background:
-
"The
Strivings of the Flesh: Galatians 5:17," J. Kilgallen, Biblica
80 (1999). Abstract.
- "Galatians 5,17 can be read in such wise that 17d is related directly, not to 17c, but to 17a; in this scheme 17b and 17c are a parenthesis. By this syntactical adjustment, what was often a puzzling reading, that the struggle between flesh and spirit leaves a Christian unable to do the good he desires, is resolved."
- "The Poetry of the Spirit: Willing and Doing in Galatians 5 and 6," James L. Boyce, Word & World, 2000.
- "The Right Things You Want to Do: A Note on Galatians 5:17d," J. Lambrecht, Biblica 79 (1998), 515-524.
- "Abraham
and His Offspring: A Comparison of Galatians 5:1 with 3:13," J.
Lambrecht, Biblica 80 (1999), 525-536.
- "Abraham?s faith was already, by way of anticipation, Christian faith. Moreover, "those of faith" in 3,7 and 9 implicitly are believers in Christ. This also applies to 4,26. The children of "the Jerusalem above" are free because they belong to Christ, even if in v. 26 this is not (yet) explicitly stated. Therefore, a seemingly brusque transition from the Abraham text or the allegory to Christ should not disturb the reader too much."
-
"Minjung
and Power: A Biblical and Theological Perspective on Doularchy
(Servanthood)," Kim Yong-Bock, at
Religion
OnLine.
- "When the Sovereignty of God is not recognized by the earthly authorities, the powers become sovereign by themselves, and thus ultimately deny the sovereignty of the Minjung, suppressing and subjugating them."
-
"The
Strivings of the Flesh: Galatians 5:17," J. Kilgallen, Biblica
80 (1999). Abstract.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Bankson, Marjory Zoet,
"With Shouts of Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see
Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Franceesco,, Bianchini,
"NOMOS in Gal 5, 13-6:10" Biblica, 2013.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Boyce, James L.,
"The Poetry of the Spirit: Willing and Doing in Galatians 5 and 6,"
Word & World, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Choi, Hung-Sik, "PISTIS
in Galatians 5:5-6: Neglected Evidence for the Faithfulness of Christ,"
Journal of Biblical Literature, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Fee, Gordon D.,
"Freedom and the Life of Obedience (Galatians 5:1-6:18)," Review and
Expositor, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Gench, Frances Taylor,
"Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Harrisville, Roy A.,
"Galatians 5:1, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hawkins, Charles S.,
"Galatians 5:22-23 and 2 Samuel 13 - Remembering Tamar," Review &
Expositor, 1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hay, Lewis S.,
"Galatians 5:13-26," Interpretation, 1979.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hullinger, Jerry M.,
"The Historical Background of Paul's Athletic Allusions,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Koester, Craig,
"Opportunity to Do Good: The Letter to the Galatians," Word & World,
1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Layman, Karen Engle,
"Between Text & Sermon, Galatians 5:1-15," Interpretation, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Longenecker, Bruce W.,
"'Until Christ Is Formed in You': Suprahuman Forces and Moral Character in
Galatians," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Lopez, Rene,
"Paul's vice list in Galatians 5:19-21,"Biblitecha Sacra, 2012.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Lutjens, Ronald,
"'You Do Not Do What You Want': What Does Galatians 5:17 Really Mean?"
Presbyterion, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Marcus, Joel,
"'Under the Law': The Background of a Pauline Expression," The
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2001.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Marshall, I. Howard,
"Living in the 'Flesh',"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Marshall, Molly T.,
"Galatians 5:1, 13-14: Free Yet Enslaved," Review & Expositor,
1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Matera, Frank J.,
"The Culmination of Paul's Argument to the Galatians," Journal for
the Study of the Old Testament, 1988.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Mitchell, Henry H.,
"Galatians 5:22-23," Review & Expositor, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Padgett, Alan G., "'Walk in the Spirit': Preaching
for Spiritual Growth (Gal 5:13-6:2)," Word & World, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Painter, John,
"'The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love': Galatians 5:22-23, An Exegetical Note,"
Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1973.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Powery, Emerson, "Under the Gaze of
the Empire: Who Is My Neighbor?" Interpretation, 19:18.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Read, David H.C.,
"Communicating Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996.
(see
Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 5.4, 1996.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Russell, Walter Bo, III,
"Does the Christian Have 'Flesh' in Gal 5:13-16?" Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society, 1993.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Sadler, Rodney S, Jr., "Alternative Freedom," The
Christian Century, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Saleska, Timothy, "The Two Kinds of Righteousness!:
What's a Preacher to Do?" Concordia Journal, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Toussaint, Stanley D.,
"The Contrast between the Spiritual Conflict in Romans 7 and Galatians 5,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 1966.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ukwuegbu, Bernard O., "Paraenesis, Identity-defining
Norms, or Both? Galatians 5:13-6:10 in the Light of Social Identity
Theory," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wilson, Todd A., "The Leading of the Spirit and the
Curse of the Law: Reassessing Paul's Response to the Galatian Crisis,"
Tyndale Bulletin, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Bankson, Marjory Zoet,
"With Shouts of Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see
Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
- Sermons:
- "The Predicament of Freedom," the Rev. Dr. Joanna Adams, Day 1, 2007.
- "Claiming True Freedom," Jason M. Braaten, from 2006 Lenten Sermon Series celebrating the 100th anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's birth, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors. Texts for the sermons are supported by background writings from Bonhoeffer's Letters and Papers from Prison.
- "Jesus Means Freedom," the Rev. Dr. Timothy C. Downs, Day 1, 2004.
- Proper 8, AKM Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Download is one long PDF file for book of sermons.)
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 8, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
- Storypath, Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2016.
- "Fruit of the Spirit," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "The Tater Family," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "A Basket of Summer Fruit," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "The Fruit of the Spirit," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Word Search on the Fruit of the Spirit, Don Crownover's Bible Puzzles.
- Drama:
- "Fruit Basket Upset," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
- "Double Date," Joanne Miller, dramatix.
- "Faithfulness," Andy Campbell, dramatix.
- "Goodness," Andy Campbell, dramatix.
- "The Garden," Michele Pitman, dramatix.
- "The Fruit of the Spirit Part 1: Love," Jason Justice, puppet script at Puppet Resources.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:22-23, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Hymns and Music:
- The Fruit of the Spirit, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette's hymn celebrates the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Tune: ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living")
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, ELLACOMBE 76.76 D (?I Sing the Mighty Power of God?)
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Galatians 5:1, 16, 22, 25. The Cyber Hymnal.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Galatians
