God’s Word Translation
Galatians 5:23
23gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.
Galatians 5:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
- New International Version (NIV)gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- English Standard Version (ESV)gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
- New King James Version (NKJV)gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Context of Galatians 5:23
21envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit God’s kingdom. 22But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. 25If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature.
Read all of Galatians 5Galatians 5:23 word by word
πραΰτης, ἐγκράτεια· κατὰ τῶν τοιούτων οὐκ ἔστιν νόμος.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Galatians 5:23
- Acts 24:25As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, “That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:25Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent.
- 1 Timothy 1:9For example, a person must realize that those laws are not intended for people who have God’s approval. Laws are intended for lawbreakers and rebels, for ungodly people and sinners, for those who think nothing is holy or sacred, for those who kill their fathers, their mothers, or other people.
Commentaries on Galatians 5:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Meekness - · Mildness, indulgence toward the weak and erring, patient suffering of injuries without feeling a spirit of revenge, an even balance of all tempers and passions, the entire opposite to anger. Temperance - · Continence, self-government, or moderation, principally with regard to sensual or animal appetites. Moderation in eating, drinking, sleeping, etc. Several very respectable MSS., as D*EFG, with the Vulgate, most copies of the Itala and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Meekness - See the note at Matthew 5:5. Temperance - The word used here, ( ̓́ egkrateia), means properly “self-control, continence.” It is derived from ̓ enand ́ kratos“strength,” and has reference to the power or ascendancy which we have over exciting and evil passions of all kinds. It denotes the self-rule which a man has over the evil propensities of his nature. Our word temperance we use now in a much more limited sense, as referring mainly to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-26Verses 16-26 If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Gentleness is the opposite of the bad behaviors in 5:20 and requires strength (see Proverbs 15:1, 4; Matthew 11:28–29; Ephesians 4:2). Self-control: The Holy Spirit does not allow immoral behavior but helps people avoid sin (compare Galatians 5:13; Romans 6:14–18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7; 1 Peter 2:16; see also Acts 24:25; Titus 1:8). Against such things there is no law: Paul explains what is already obvious, that those led by the Holy Spirit do not need…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2319-23. Confirming Ga 5:18, by showing the contrariety between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. manifest--The hidden fleshly principle betrays itself palpably by its works, so that these are not hard to discover, and leave no doubt that they come not from the Spirit. which are these--Greek, "such as," for instance. Adultery--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. lasciviousness--rather, "wantonness" petulance, capricious insolence; it may…Read the comment
Topics related to Galatians 5:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Galatians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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