Galatians 5:16

THE MESSAGE

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Simplified Cowboy Version
You can either follow the Holy Ghost or you can follow your human nature. You'll have to pick one because you can't ride for both.

Bible in Basic English
But I say, Go on in the Spirit, and you will not come under the rule of the evil desires of the flesh.

Darby Translation
But I say, Walk in [the] Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh's lust.

Christian Standard Bible®
I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

World English Bible
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I say then, walk by the Spirit, and fulfil not the desire of the flesh.

Weymouth's New Testament
This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit, and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures.

King James Version (1611)
This I say then, Walke in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Literal Translation
But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I saye: Walke in the sprete, and so shal ye not fulfill the lustes off the flesshe.

Mace New Testament (1729)
I say then, conduct yourselves by the spirit, and you will not then gratify the animal passions.

Amplified Bible
But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].

American Standard Version
But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Revised Standard Version
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I saye walke in the sprete and fulfill not ye lustes of ye flesshe.

Update Bible Version
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the desire of the flesh.

Webster's Bible Translation
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Young's Literal Translation
And I say: In the Spirit walk ye, and the desire of the flesh ye may not complete;

New Century Version
So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want.

New English Translation
But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

Berean Standard Bible
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Contemporary English Version
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.

Complete Jewish Bible
What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants.

English Standard Version
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then I say, Walke in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lustes of the flesh.

George Lamsa Translation
This I say then: Lead a spiritual life, and you shall never commit the lust of the flesh.

Hebrew Names Version
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.

International Standard Version
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh.Romans 6:12; 13:14; Galatians 5:25; 1 Peter 2:11;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
But I say to you, Walk in the Spirit, and the desires of the flesh you will not work.

Murdock Translation
And I say: Walk ye in the Spirit; and never follow the cravings of the flesh.

New King James Version
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

New Living Translation
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.

New Life Bible
I say this to you: Let the Holy Spirit lead you in each step. Then you will not please your sinful old selves.

English Revised Version
But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

New Revised Standard
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I say, moreover - by Spirit, be walking, and, fleshly coveting, ye will in nowise fulfil;

Douay-Rheims Bible
I say then: Walk in the spirit: and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

King James Version
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Lexham English Bible
But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then I say, walke in the spirite, and ye shall not fulfyll the lust of the flesshe.

Easy-to-Read Version
So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants.

New American Standard Bible
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Good News Translation
What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y seie you in Crist, walke ye in spirit, and ye schulen not performe the desiris of the fleisch.

Contextual Overview

¹³It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? ¹⁶My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? ¹⁹It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. ²²But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. ²⁴The Life of Freedom Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ's hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law. I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love. You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. And please don't toss this off as insignificant. It only takes a minute amount of yeast, you know, to permeate an entire loaf of bread. Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect. But the one who is upsetting you, whoever he is, will bear the divine judgment. As for the rumor that I continue to preach the ways of circumcision (as I did in those pre-Damascus Road days), that is absurd. Why would I still be persecuted, then? If I were preaching that old message, no one would be offended if I mentioned the Cross now and then—it would be so watered-down it wouldn't matter one way or the other. Why don't these agitators, obsessive as they are about circumcision, go all the way and castrate themselves! It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified. ²⁵Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I say: Galatians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 7:29

Walk: Galatians 5:25, Galatians 6:8, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:4, Romans 8:5, Romans 8:12-14, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:6, Jude 1:19 -21

and: Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 6:12, Romans 13:13, Romans 13:14, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 2:3, Colossians 2:11, Colossians 3:5-10, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:1-4, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:16

ye shall not fulfil: or, fulfil not

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:3 - My Ezekiel 36:27 - cause Matthew 26:41 - the spirit John 3:6 - born of the flesh John 15:7 - ye shall Romans 7:5 - in the flesh Romans 8:14 - led 1 Corinthians 13:2 - and have 1 Corinthians 15:50 - this 2 Corinthians 9:6 - I say 2 Corinthians 10:2 - we walked Galatians 5:18 - if Galatians 5:22 - the fruit Galatians 5:24 - crucified Galatians 6:16 - walk 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - walk 3 John 1:14 - Peace

Gill's Notes on the Bible

This I say then, walk in the Spirit,.... The advice the apostle thinks fit to give, and which he would have observed, is, to "walk in the Spirit", that is, either after the Spirit of God; making the word inspired by him the rule of behaviour, which as it is the standard of faith, so of practice, and is the lamp unto our feet, and the light unto our path; taking him himself for a guide, who not only guides into all truth, but in the way of holiness and righteousness unto the land of uprightness; and depending upon his grace and strength for assistance throughout the whole of our walk and conversation: or in the exercise of the graces of the Spirit of God; as in the exercise of faith upon the person and grace of Christ, of which the Spirit is the author; and in love to God, Christ, and one another, which is a fruit of the Spirit; and in humility, lowliness of mind, meekness and condescension; all which is to walk in the Spirit, or spiritually, and strengthens the argument for love the apostle is upon: and this he encourages to by observing,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh; he does not say there shall be no flesh, nor any lust of the flesh in them if they walk spiritually; or that the flesh should not act and operate in them; or that they should do no sinful action; all which is only true of Christ; and the contrary is to be found and observed in all true Christians, though ever so spiritual; but that they should not fulfil or perfect the lust of the flesh; should not give up themselves entirely to the power and dictates of the flesh, so as to be under it and at its command, and be obedient servants and slaves unto it; for, in this sense only, such that are spiritual do not, commit sin, they do not make a trade of it, it is not their constant employ or course of conversation.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This I say then - This is the true rule about overcoming the propensities of your carnal natures, and of avoiding the evils of strife and contention.

Walk - The Christian life is often represented as a journey, and the word walk, in the scripture, is often equivalent to live; Mark 7:5. See the notes at Romans 4:12; Romans 6:4, note; Romans 8:1, note.

In the Spirit - Live under the influences of the Holy Spirit; admit those influences fully into your hearts. Do not resist him, but yield to all his suggestions; see the note at Romans 8:1. What the Holy Spirit would produce, Paul states in Galatians 5:22-23. If a man would yield his heart to those influences, he would be able to overcome all his carnal propensities; and it is because he resists that Spirit, that he is ever overcome by the corrupt passions of his nature. Never was a better, a safer, or a more easy rule given to overcome our corrupt and sensual desires than that here furnished; compare notes, Romans 8:1-13.

And ye shall not fulfil ... - Margin, “Fulfil not” - as if it were a command. So Tyndale renders it. But the more common interpretation, as it is the more significant, is that adopted by our translators. Thus, it is not merely a command, it is the statement of an important and deeply interesting truth - that the only way to overcome the corrupt desires and propensities of our nature, is by submitting to the influences of the Holy Spirit. It is not by philosophy; it is not by mere resolutions to resist them; it is not by the force of education and laws; it is only by admitting into our souls the influence of religion, and yielding ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. If we live under the influences of that Spirit, we need not fear the power of the sensual and corrupt propensities of our nature.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 16. Walk in the Spirit — Get back that Spirit of God which you have grieved and lost; take up that spiritual religion which you have abandoned.

Ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. — If the Spirit of God dwell in and rule your heart, the whole carnal mind will be destroyed; and then, not only carnal ordinances will be abandoned, but also the works and propensities of the flesh.