Old Testament references

• Galatians 5:14: Leviticus 19:18

Verse 6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.^[5]

• "Avails": translated from the Greek word ἰσχύει, ischyei,^[6] "prevails"; the same word occurs in Matthew 5:13 and James 5:16, among others.^[7]

Verse 14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."^[8]

Using the citation from Leviticus 19:18 Paul speaks positively about the law which is "fulfilled" in the coming of Christ.^{[2][lower-alpha 1]}

Works of the Flesh

Paul lists the works of the flesh (verses 19–21) as the behaviors that would prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God.^[9]

English Standard Version

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

— Galatians 5:19–21

Good News Translation

¹⁹What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions;²⁰in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; ²¹they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.

— Galatians 5:19–21

The lists or catalogues of vices (and also lists of virtues such the one in Galatians 5:22-23) were a form of ethical instruction very common in the Greco-Roman world.^[10]

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Stained glass rose window depicting the Lord as Good Shepherd along with the "Fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

— Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

• "The fruit of the Spirit": the Ethiopian version reads "...of the Holy Spirit".^[11] Referring to the "internal principle of grace", called the Spirit (Galatians 5:17), and the graces of which are called "fruit", not "works" (which refers to the actions of the flesh).^[11] It is in the form of a "list of virtues", which has no comparable juxtaposition lists in the contemporary writings; the closest parallel in the New Testament is perhaps James 3:13–17.^[12]

• "Love" (Greek: agape, Latin: caritas): may be understood as "love to God", and also "love to Christ", which teaches people to love the neighbors; furthermore, "love to the house and worship of God", to the truths and ordinances of the Gospel.^[11]

• "Joy" (Greek: chara, Latin: gaudium): which is in the Holy Spirit, has him for its author and the object of it is God, as a covenant God and Father in Christ. Moreover, joy in the good of others, of fellow creatures.^[11]

• "Peace" (Greek: eirene, Latin: pax): refers to the peace produced through the application of the blood of Christ for pardon, and for justification to the sinner's soul, to yield the peace, quietness, and tranquillity of mind. It is also be the peace with all others, under a work of the God's Spirit of God, to live peaceably with all people.^[11]

• "Longsuffering" (Greek: makrothumia, Latin: longanimitas) and "kindness" (Greek: chrestotes, Latin: benignitas): instead of a "patient waiting" for good things or more grace or glory to come, it is a "patient bearing and enduring", through the Spirit, of the present evils with gladness; being slow to anger, ready to forgive mistakes, and bear with as well as forbear one another, accompanied with gentleness, humanity, affability, courteousness, in words, gestures, and actions, to be an imitation of the gentleness of Christ.^[11]

• "Goodness"(Greek: agathosune, Latin: bonitas): acts of goodness to men, in a natural, civil, moral, spiritual, and evangelic manner, for the benefit both of soul and body, and is well pleasing to God when performed in the exercise of the grace.^[11]

• "Faith" or "faithfulness" (Greek: pistis, Latin: fides): Fidelity, both in words and in deeds, is very significant in the Gospel, and a profession of belief. Faith in Christ is a gift of God, and the work of his Spirit, leading a person into believing in Christ for salvation, and making a "profession of faith".^[11]

• "Meekness" or "gentleness" (Greek: prautes, Latin: modestia): refers to humility ("lowliness of mind") which is patterned after Christ and transcribed by the Holy Spirit from Christ into the heart of a regenerate person; thus, walking humbly with God, acknowledging as well as being thankful for every blessing, and depending on his grace, while behaving with modesty and humility among people.^[13]

• "Temperance or self-control" (Greek: egkrateia, Latin: continentia) or "continence": refers to "chastity and sobriety", such as moderation in eating and drinking.^[13]

• "Against such there is no law": The listed virtues are perfectly agreeable to the law of God. The persons possessing the virtues of the 'fruit' have nothing to fear from the law.^[13]