For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
What does Galatians 5:13 mean?
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 6:3, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Galatians 5:12-15 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty - Freedom from Jewish rites and ceremonies; see the notes at Galatians 3:28 ; Galatians 4:9 , note, Galatians 4:21-31 , note. The meaning here is, that Paul wished the false teachers removed because true Christians had been called unto liberty, and they were abridging and destroying that liberty. They were not in subjection to the Law of Moses, or to anything else that savored of bondage. They were free; free from the servitude of sin, and free from subjection to expensive and burdensome rites and customs.
Key words
- brethren
-
For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty,.
- called
-
For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty,.
- liberty
-
For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty,.
Context in Galatians 5
Show chapter context
Galatians 5 belongs to the late movement of the book, especially the section often described as practical exhortation and final warning. Galatians is Paul’s fierce defense of the gospel of grace, justification by faith, and freedom for life in the Spirit. Read this chapter with the wider themes of grace, justification, and freedom in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.