What is Galatians 5 about?
Galatians 5 is Paul's call to Christian freedom. Some in the churches of Galatia were teaching that believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses to be right with God. Paul answers, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (verse 1). But freedom is not permission to do whatever we like; it is freedom to "by love serve one another." Paul contrasts "the works of the flesh," such as hatred, jealousy and drunkenness, with "the fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (verses 22–23). He urges believers to walk in the Spirit.
What does Galatians 5 mean?
Galatians 5:22
Paul contrasts "the works of the flesh," such as hatred, jealousy, and selfishness, with "the fruit of the Spirit." He uses the singular word "fruit," suggesting one harvest with many qualities, not a menu to choose from. Love comes first, followed by joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, and faith (faithfulness), with meekness and temperance (self-control) in the next verse. The image of fruit matters: fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree rather than being manufactured by effort. These qualities grow in believers as the Holy Spirit lives in them and they "walk in the Spirit." Together they describe the character of Jesus.
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