“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law”
Paul now makes a summary statement about life under the law and under grace. One is about what the self can do, and the other is about what the Holy Spirit can do.
But if
The word “if” means that it is true that the Holy Spirit leads some Christians in their walk with God.
you are led by the Spirit,
The Christian lives by intrinsic, not extrinsic, power. He does not live by pulling on the bootstraps of self-effort. He lives under the power of the Holy Spirit when he walks in the Spirit.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14).
you are not under the law
The law cannot condemn Christians because Christ already paid the penalty of the law.
Being led by the Spirit or operating under the law are mutually exclusive. It is one or the other, not both. If a Christian operates by the law, he must operate by the flesh (Romans 7:8-11). But grace supersedes the Mosaic law, for the law is a system of gaining God’s favor by “operation bootstraps” (living the Christian life by self-effort).
There is a double antagonism in this section of Galatians: The Holy Spirit versus the flesh, and the Holy Spirit versus the law. The law is the outward conduct of men in an attempt to please God by human effort. The leading of the Spirit is the sphere where the Holy Spirit does His work in the life of the believer.
The Galatians failed to live the Christian life because they depended on themselves rather than the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
Principle:
Walking in the flesh versus being led of the Spirit to please God are diametrically opposed to each other.
Application:
No Christian is led of the Spirit unless he walks in the Spirit. Unless the Holy Spirit fills us, He will not lead us.
Walking in the flesh emphasizes the self, whereas walking in the Spirit emphasizes the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God leads the believer under grace to a new standard for living. Intrinsic regulation is far more effective than outward regulation.
This is no special leading but simply the leading of the Spirit toward sanctification. The Holy Spirit is the one who engages us to live the Christian life. We can never live that life in our own power.
Very good….the interpretation is in line with scripture.could elaborate on mathew 28:19 and acts 2:38. Its regarding baptism is a person wrong in being baptized according to mathew ur apt response will be greatly appreciated.
Danavan, Go to my study on Mt 28:19 in versebyversecommentary.com Regarding Acts 2:38, the idea is not to be baptized to receive eternal life but to be baptized because we have been born again. The phrase "for the forgiveness of sins" is in the Greek on the basis of the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is the result, not the cause, of our salvation.
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. There is no scripture that says baptism is the result of our forgiveness. Baptism saves I Peter 3:21. Baptism washes away our sins, Actss 22:16. The new life is after being raised from the waters of baptism, not before, Ro.6:4.Baptism is in every example of conversion in the book of acts. Why resist this command, by faith obey it and god will add you to His Church. No joining necessary.
William,
See my study of 1 Peter 3:21: http://versebyversecommentary.com/1-peter/1-peter-321/ There is no justification for water baptism for salvation in that passage, in fact, the verse expressly says that it is not dealing with water per se.
The entire book of John says that salvation is by faith. The words to believe, belief or faith occurs 99 times. Faith is the only qualification for salvation there—there is no mention of baptism for salvation. The entire book of Romans argues that salvation is by faith alone. It is important to take primary doctrine from doctrinal books such as Romans rather than narrative books such as the book of Acts. Romans does not contradict Acts.
Regarding the Acts 22:16 passage, it is important to understand the Greek in that verse. The Greek word “calling upon his name” is an aorist participle. The action of the aorist participle precedes the action of the main verb. This places the action of “calling” before or prior to both baptism and washing away. Thus, the translation should be “having called on the name upon his name, be baptized and wash away your sins.” Or, we could translate it this way: “Be baptized and allow your sins to be washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.” The problem with the King James Version is that it translates the phrase “calling on” instead of “having called” or “since you called upon his name.”
Clearly baptism is something that occurs after salvation. Baptism is a symbol of our identity with Christ, We were buried with Christ (under the water) and we are raised with Christ (out of the water). This is the point of 1 Peter 3:21 and 1 Co 6:11. The Greek word baptizw metaphorically means to identify.
“Wash away” is middle voice—allow your sins to be washed away, that is, by calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 9 shows that Paul was saved before his water baptism. Acts 10:47 shows that Cornelius was saved and baptized with the Spirit before his water baptism. It is regeneration that washes away our sins, not water baptism (Ti 3:5). Paul, in fact, minimizes water baptism as a major doctrine (1 Co 1:14-17).
Hello and thank you for this. I have been a Christian for a long time and I don't think I truly get it. I still find myself trying very hard to be a good Christian. I know that I will continue to fail because my flesh is weak and sinful. I know I need to allow the holy spirit to lead me but I don't know how? Pls pray that I will fully grasp that Jesus already paid the price for my sins so that I am no longer condemned. Pray that I will walk my life being completely controlled by the spirit. Thank You
Nerissa, I have prayed for you.
UNDER THE LAW
SHORT VERSION:
Paul uses the phrases “under the Law” or “under Law” in 11 verses. The “Law” generally refers to the Law of Moses (Gal 4:21, 24), but once refers to the “Law of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21). The phrase “under the Law” (of Moses) generally identifies the people that are under the jurisdiction of the Law of Moses, namely the Jews (1 Cor. 9:20). In some verses it is contrasted with Gentiles, described as people that are “without the Law” (Rom. 2:12; 3:19; Gal: 4:4-5; 1 Cor. 9:20-21). In other verses it is contrasted with Christians, described as people that are “under the law of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21), meaning that they are under the jurisdiction of the Law of Christ.
LONGER VERSION:
Paul uses the phrases “under the Law” or “under Law” in 11 verses.
He uses it to identify the people that are under the jurisdiction of the Law, namely the Jews (1 Cor. 9:20). In Galatians 4:21 “under Law” refers to being in slavery to the Law of Moses (v24).
In some verses he uses these phrases in contrast to the people are “without the Law” (Rom. 2:12) or “without Law” (1 Cor. 9:20-21), namely the Gentiles. In Romans 3:19 Paul contrasts “those who are under the Law” with the “Greeks” (Rom. 3:9), which also refers to Gentiles. In Gal. 4:4-5 it is used to describe the previous condition of the Christian Jews (Gal 4:1-7), in contrast to the previous condition of the Gentiles (Gal. 4:8).
In other verses he uses these phrases in contrast to the Christians, describing them as “under grace” (Rom. 6:14-15), as “not … under the Law” (1 Cor. 9:20), as “not … without the law of God but under the law of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21), “sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:23-26) and “led by the Spirit” (Gal 5:18).
Commentators sometimes understand “under the law” to mean under the curse or condemnation of the law (3:10), but this interpretation is not supported by any text.
CURRENT VERSE
The person who is led by the Spirit has his eyes focused on God. The Holy Spirit leads his thoughts and actions.
The Law refers to the Law of Moses. Since “under the Law” is the opposite of “led by the Spirit”, “under the Law” means the absence of the Spirit in one’s life; to be “led by” the Law of Moses; that the Law of Moses leads your thoughts and deeds. This is elsewhere explained as an effort to please God (Gal. 2:16) in your own power (Gal. 3:3; 4:23, 29) by complying with the outward conduct (Rom. 2:28, 29 – letter; Rom. 7:6) required by the Law of Moses. To be under the Law put the focus on man; what he can achieve in his own power.
Grant is right baptism is in obedience to salvation not the cause of it. This is works salvation, baptism is something we do and could boast of, thats not grace. And if baptism is what saves you explain the thief on the cross
I do not know how to be led by the spirit or walk in the spirit or pray in the spirit. Or be empowered by it.
Is salvation for future sins? Is it once and forever saved?
Please pray for me I am trying.
Darryl, thanks for your post. It is encouraging that you are interested in walking in the Spirit. Please read two studies. The first has to do with the Spirit-filled life found here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/2016/04/02/ephesians-518/ (read both studies in verse 18).
The second article has to do with maturity in the Christian life. Here is an extended study on Christian maturity: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/christian-maturity/the-edification-construct-discussion-guide/
Pray for the Holy Spirit to engage you. Christ prayed and the Father sent him here. If you don’t know him, it’s because you don’t allow silence in your life. He is real and he is a silent, gentle spirit. Stop listening to men. God already said that the Holy Spirit WILL lead you into all truth. Turn off the tv, your phone and radio. Tell him to help you surrender to him. Men only confuse each other. They beg for recognition. Matt 4:5. They want to be at the top, known as wise. But the Holy Ghost will humble you, give you clear understanding and direct wisdom from heaven. Without faith in God sending him, you’ll live your whole life and never know him. He’s here today and I know him and love him. Chase him til you die. Stop praying for anything other than an introduction to the Holy Spirit. He caused me to love Christ, humbled me, made me hate lust and made me love those that I once didn’t. It was him…..not me. Do Not Die and meet God for the first time! Meet him in your earth-time. And remember, salvation has nothing to do with a place, it’s reconciliation with you and your God. Salvation ONLY happens when your alive on the earth. Chase the Holy Ghost. He is here and the only proof. The most important person on the planet and most unknown. Find him today. Talk to him today. Don’t wait!