Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Galatians 5:23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Meekness – See the note at Mat 5:5.
Temperance – The word used here, ( egkrateia), means properly self-control, continence. It is derived from en and 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 abstinence from intoxicating drinks. But the word here used is employed in a much more extended signification. It includes the dominion over all evil propensities, and may denote continence, chastity, self-government, moderation in regard to all indulgences as well as abstinence from intoxicating drinks. See the word explained in the notes at Act 24:25. The sense here is, that the influences of the Holy Spirit on the heart make a man moderate in all indulgences; teach him to restrain his passions, and to govern himself; to control his evil propensities, and to subdue all inordinate affection.
The Christian will not only abstain from intoxicating drinks, but from all exciting passions; he will be temperate in his manner of living, and in the government of his temper. This may be applied to temperance properly so called with us; but it should not be limited to that. A Christian must be a temperate man; and if the effect of his religion is not to produce this, it is false and vain. Abstinence from intoxicating drinks, as well as from all improper excitement, is demanded by the very genius of his religion, and on this subject there is no danger of drawing the cords too close. No one was ever injured by the strictest temperance, by total abstinence from ardent spirits, and from wine as a beverage; no man is certainly safe who does not abstain; no man, it is believed, can be in a proper frame of mind for religious duties who indulges in the habitual use of intoxicating drinks. Nothing does more scandal to religion than such indulgences; and, other things being equal, he is the most under the influence of the Spirit of God who is the most thoroughly a person of temperance.
Against such there is no law – That is, there is no law to condemn such persons. These are not the things which the Law denounces. These, therefore, are the true freemen; free from the condemning sentence of the Law, and free in the service of God. Law condemns sin; and they who evince the spirit here referred to are free from its denunciations.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. Meekness] . 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, &c.
Several very respectable MSS., as D*EFG, with the Vulgate, most copies of the Itala and several of the fathers, add , chastity. This we are sure cannot be separated from the genuine Christian character, though it may be included in the word , continence or moderation, immediately preceding.
Against such there is no law.] Those, whose lives are adorned by the above virtues, cannot be condemned by any law, for the whole purpose and design of the moral law of God is fulfilled in those who have the Spirit of God, producing in their hearts and lives the preceding fruits.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Meekness; forbearance of passion, rash anger, and hastiness of spirit:
temperance; a sober use of meats, drinks, apparel, or any thing wherein our senses are delighted. Many of these are moral virtues, and such as some have attained to by moral discipline, the cultivating of their natures by education, and moral philosophy: yet they are also the fruits of the Spirit of God; such as it doth always work in the souls wherein it dwelleth (though in different measures and degrees): only the moral man thus comporteth himself from principles of reason, showing him the beauty and comeliness of such a conversation, and aims no Ligher in it, than a happiness of converse in this life, his own honour and reputation. But the spiritual man, doing the same things, aimeth at a higher end (the glorifying of God, and saving his own soul); and doth these things from a fear of God, out of love to him, and out of faith, as seeing in them the will of God.
Against such (saith the apostle) there is no law; no law to accuse or to condemn them; for these are things which the law commandeth to be done, and are acts of obedience to the law. So as those who do these things are led by the Spirit, and are not under the condemning power or curse of the law.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. temperanceThe Greekroot implies self-restraint as to one’s desires and lusts.
against suchnotpersons, but things, as in Ga5:21.
no lawconfirming Ga5:18, “Not under the law” (1Ti 1:9;1Ti 1:10). The law itselfcommands love (Ga 5:14); so faris it from being “against such.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Meekness,…. Humility and lowliness of mind, of which Christ is an eminent example and pattern; and which the Holy Spirit from him transcribes into the heart of a regenerate person; and lies in having mean thoughts of himself, in walking humbly with God, acknowledging every favour, being thankful for every blessing, and depending on his grace, and in behaving with modesty and humility among men. The last of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned is
temperance, or “continence”; and designs both chastity and sobriety, and particularly moderation in eating and drinking. It may be observed, that these fruits of the Spirit are opposed to the works of the flesh. So love is opposed to hatred; joy to emulations and envying; peace to variance, strife, and seditions; longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and meekness, to wrath and murders; faith to idolatry, witchcraft, and heresies; and temperance to adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, drunkenness, and revellings.
Against such there is no law; meaning, against such fruits, graces, and good things; these being perfectly agreeable to the law of God, which is holy, just, and good, and spiritual; and are so far from being forbidden by it, that they are highly esteemed and approved of by it: or against persons that are possessed of such fruits; for these appear to be in the spirit, and to be led by the Spirit; and therefore are not under the law, and have nothing to fear from it, as a terrifying, accusing, cursing, and condemning law. The works of the flesh, and they that are of the flesh, are such that come under the notice and lash of the law; and not the fruits of the Spirit, and they that are after the Spirit, as such are who partake of his fruit.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Meekness [] . See on meek, Mt 5:5.
Temperance [] . Only here by Paul. He alone uses ejgkrateuesqai to have continency, 1Co 7:9; 1Co 9:25. See on is temperate, 1 Corinthians 9; 25. The word means self – control, holding in hand the passions and desires. So Xen. Mem 1 2, 1, of Socrates, who was ejgkratestatov most temperate as to sexual pleasures and pleasures of the appetite.
Such [] . Such things, not persons.
There is no law [ ] . Against such virtues there is no law to condemn them. The law can bring no charge against them. Comp. 1Ti 1:9, 10.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
h) “Meekness,” (prautes), gentleness, kindness, not easily provoked, ready to yield rather than cause trouble, where a moral principle was not involved in preferences, Gal 6:1; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 2Ti 2:25.
i) “Temperance,” (egkratua) “self-control,” which elicits trust, confidence, and respect of others, Act 24:25; 1Co 9:25; 2Pe 1:6, one of the seven fruits of faith in the believer that gives an “abundant entrance” into the kingdom of God, 2Pe 1:11.
j) “Against such there is no law,” (kata ton toiouton ouk estin nomos) “against such things as these (9) fruits of the Spirit, no law exists”. 1Ti 1:9; Gal 3:19.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
23. Against such there is no law. Some understand these words as meaning simply that the law is not directed against good works, “from evil manners have sprung good laws.” But Paul’s real meaning is deeper and less obvious; namely, that, where the Spirit reigns, the law has no longer any dominion. By moulding our hearts to his own righteousness, the Lord delivers us from the severity of the law, so that our intercourse with himself is not regulated by its covenant, nor our consciences bound by its sentence of condemnation. Yet the law continues to teach and exhort, and thus performs its own office; but our subjection to it is withdrawn by the Spirit of adoption. He thus ridicules the false apostles, who, while they enforced subjection to the law, were not less eager to release themselves from its yoke. The only way, he tells us, in which this is accomplished, is, when the Spirit of God obtains dominion, from which we are led to conclude that they had no proper regard to spiritual righteousness.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) Meekness, temperance.Meekness is something more than mildness, which has been suggested as an alternative translation. Mildness would represent that side of the virtue which is turned towards men; but it has also another side, which is turned towards Goda gentle submissiveness to the divine will. By temperance is meant, in a general sense, self-controla firm control over the passions.
Against suchi.e., against such things; not, as it was understood by many of the older commentators, against such men.
There is no law.For such things law has no condemnation, and therefore they are removed beyond the sphere of law. This is the first and obvious meaning; it may be noticed, however, that these delicate Christian graces are above law as well as beyond. The ruder legal system of commands, sanctioned by punishment, would have no power to produce them; they can only grow in a more genial and softer soil, under the direct influence of the Spirit.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Meekness The reverse of arrogance, gentle, unassuming firmness.
Temperance Self-control in the gratification of appetites. See note on Act 24:25.
No law So that those who possess these graces by the power of the Spirit come in collision with no moral obligation. They are lawless by doing without law all that the law requires.
We suppose that these lists of vices and virtues were prescriptions carefully prepared and adjusted to meet the case of the Galatians, enumerating the faults to which they were liable, and the graces by which they might best be corrected.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gal 5:23. Against such there is no law. They have so manifest and evident a goodness in them, that they never were forbidden by any human institution.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gal 5:23 . Just as in Gal 5:21 ( haec talia : see Engelhardt, ad Plat. Lach . p. 14; Khner, ad Xen. Mem . i. 5. 2), in this passage is also neuter , applying to the virtues previously mentioned among the fruits of the Spirit (Irenaeus, Jerome, Augustine, Pelagius, Calvin, Beza, yet doubtfully, Castalio, Cornelius a Lapide, and most expositors), and not masculine , as it is understood by Chrysostom, Theodoret, Theophylact, Oecumenius, Erasmus, Luther, Grotius, Bengel, and many of the older expositors; also by Koppe, Rosenmller, Rckert, Hofmann. [244] It is, moreover, quite unsuitable to assume (with Beza, Estius, Rosenmller, Flatt, and others) a ( non adversatur, sed commendat , and the like; so also de Wette); for Paul wishes only to illustrate the , which he has said in Gal 5:18 respecting those who are led by the Spirit. This he does by first exhibiting, for the sake of the contrast, the works of the flesh, and expressing a judgment upon the doers of them; and then by exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, and saying: “ against virtues and states of this kind there is no law .” Saying this, however, is by no means “more than superfluous” (Hofmann), but is intended to make evident how it is that, by virtue of this their moral frame , those who are led by the Spirit are not subject to the Mosaic law. [245] For whosoever is so constituted that a law is not against him, over such a one the law has no power. Comp. 1Ti 1:9 f.
[244] So also Bumlein, in the Stud. u. Krit . 1862, p. 551 f. The objection that the singular in ver. 22 forbids the neuter interpretation (Hofmann), is quite groundless both in itself and because is collective .
[245] The fundamental idea of the whole epistle the freedom of the Christian from the Mosaic law is thus fully displayed in its moral nature and truth. Comp. Sieffert, in the Jahrb. f. D. Theol . 1869, p. 264.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ver. 23. Meekness, temperance ] Queen Elizabeth was famous for these two virtues. King Edward VI called her by no other name than his sweet sister Temperance. (Camd. Elizab.) She did seldom eat but one sort of meat, rose ever with an appetite, and lived about 70 years. Next to the Holy Scripture she preferred (as the best piece) Seneca’s book of Clemency. When she said, that book had done her much good; yea, said one, but it hath done your subjects much hurt. (Sir W. Vaughan, Mr Heyrick’s Three Sermons.)
Against such there is no law ] 1Ti 1:9 . As for the works of the flesh, there is no gospel. The righteous need no law to compel them, therefore they shall have none to condemn them. The law confineth them to live in that element where they would live; as if one should be confined to Paradise, where he would be, though there be no such law.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
23 .] seems to be well represented by meekness , again, towards God and man: and . by temperance , the holding in of the lusts and desires.
. answers to above, and should therefore be taken as neuter, not masculine, as Chrys., al. This verse (see above on Gal 5:18 ) substantiates for if you are led by the Spirit, these are its fruits in you, and against these the law has nothing to say: see 1Ti 1:9-10 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Gal 5:23 . : Meekness is the outcome of true humility, the bearing towards others which results from a lowly estimate of ourselves. : Self-control comprehends every form of temperance, and includes the mastery of all appetites, tempers and passions.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Meekness. Greek. praotes. See 1Co 4:21.
temperance = self-control. Greek. enkrateia. See Act 24:25.
no. Greek. ou. App-105.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
23.] seems to be well represented by meekness,-again, towards God and man: and . by temperance,-the holding in of the lusts and desires.
. answers to above, and should therefore be taken as neuter, not masculine, as Chrys., al. This verse (see above on Gal 5:18) substantiates -for if you are led by the Spirit, these are its fruits in you, and against these the law has nothing to say: see 1Ti 1:9-10.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Gal 5:23. , against such [persons]) This is the same, as if he had added, after temperance, the expression, and things similar to these; although the very want of the copulative conjunction [the asyndeton] has this force, Mat 15:19, note: is in the masculine; with which comp. Gal 5:18; Gal 5:21, at the end; where is added, which is now as it were compensated for by [such persons]: 1Ti 1:9-10, at the beginning.- , there is no law) The law itself commands love. [And therefore the kingdom of God is judged not to be unworthy of such persons.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Gal 5:23
Gal 5:23
meekness,-Meekness is a quiet and forbearing spirit, that suffers wrong without resentfulness; but firmness and unyielding devotion to right. From this we see that true meekness goes far deeper down than any attitude towards man. It lays hold on the sovereign will of God as our supreme good, and delights in absolutely and perfectly conforming itself thereto. Blessings and good are frequently promised to the meek in the Old Testament. Noah, Daniel, and Job are models of a meek and quiet patience and forbearance with true fidelity to God. Jesus was a perfect model of meekness, submissiveness, and forbearance yet firm for right and truth under the most trying difficulties and bitter persecutions. (Mat 11:29). It is commanded as a virtue to be cherished. (Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 1Pe 3:4; 1Pe 3:15). [Those who learn to control their spirits, and be meek and quiet under trial and persecutions, become like Jesus, and have the promise both of the blessings in this world and in that to come. That quiet perseverance brings success in our undertakings on earth, and fits the soul for companionship with the redeemed in heaven.]
self-control;-Self-control is the restraining of all the passions and desires within the limits that will promote the highest activity of all the faculties of body, mind, and heart.
against such there is no law.-Neither God nor man makes laws against such qualities and virtues as these, because they work good to all, and ill to none. Even wicked men make laws only against such things as work evil to them or their interests. These virtues do neither. So the qualities of the Christian are such as to lead men to be at peace, and not to oppress. Through this harmless character is brought about much of the protection from the wicked that God promises to those who love him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
temperance: Act 24:25, 1Co 9:25, Tit 1:8, Tit 2:2
against: 1Ti 1:9
Reciprocal: Neh 9:20 – good Psa 18:35 – gentleness Psa 25:9 – meek Psa 37:11 – the meek Psa 92:14 – They Psa 119:165 – Great Psa 143:10 – thy spirit Ecc 2:26 – wisdom Son 7:13 – at our Isa 11:4 – for the meek Isa 29:19 – meek Isa 42:21 – he will Jer 31:33 – I will Jer 33:6 – and will Eze 36:27 – I will Hos 14:8 – From me Mat 3:8 – fruits Mat 5:5 – the meek Mat 13:8 – some an Mat 13:23 – beareth Mat 23:23 – the weightier Mat 25:4 – oil Mar 4:20 – which Joh 3:21 – that his Joh 7:38 – out Joh 15:2 – may Act 9:31 – and in Rom 7:4 – that we Rom 8:7 – for it Rom 8:23 – which have 1Co 6:11 – but ye are sanctified 1Co 9:21 – not 2Co 3:8 – the ministration Gal 6:1 – in the Eph 4:2 – lowliness Eph 5:9 – the fruit Phi 1:11 – filled Col 1:10 – fruitful Col 3:12 – mercies 1Th 1:5 – in the 1Th 2:7 – we 1Ti 5:25 – the good 1Ti 6:11 – righteousness Heb 6:9 – things Heb 12:11 – peaceable Heb 12:14 – Follow Jam 3:13 – with meekness Jam 3:17 – gentle 1Pe 3:4 – a meek 2Pe 1:6 – temperance
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gal 5:23. -Against such there is no law. For , see under Gal 5:21. A similar catalogue from Aristotle occurs in Stobaeus, containing , , , , and ending with . Florileg. 1.18, p. 16, vol. i. ed. Gassford. The gender of is matter of dispute. Is the meaning, against such persons as possess the fruit of the Spirit there is no law? or is it, against such graces there is no law? The masculine is preferred by the Greek fathers, by Erasmus, Grotius, Bengel, Koppe, Rckert, Hofmann, and Gwynne. But there is no immediate personal reference in the context. are naturally the virtues or elements of Spirit-fruit which have now been enumerated, and all such-all like them; and they apparently correspond to the of the 21st verse: so that the neuter is rightly preferred. Those who adopt the masculine reference explain the phrase, thus: either such do not need the law, or such the law does not condemn (Rckert, Hofmann). A similar phrase is used by Aristotle: , , Pol. 3.13, 14, p. 83, vol. x. Opera, ed. Bekker. Similar explanations have been given with the neuter reference.
1. Some introduce a meiosis, as Beza, Estius, Flatt, and De Wette-non adversatur, sed commendat-so far is the law from forbidding such graces, that it much more bids or enjoins them.
2. Winer and Schott thus interpret: The law is not against those virtues-it has only a negative power to restrain the outbreaks of a sinful will; but in the fruits of the Spirit there is nothing to restrain, and therefore no law exists against them.
3. Usteri and Matthies understand it thus: Where such virtues exist, the law is superfluous-an inference rather than an explanation.
4. But the simplest and easiest reference and meaning are preferable-against such there is no law, i.e. to condemn them. Meyer takes the clause as explanatory of the latter part of Gal 5:18 : ye are not under the law, the law has no power over you. Probably this may be included, but the direct meaning is, that these graces are condemned by no law; and you may say that this happens, first, from their very nature, and secondly, because, as the fruit of the Spirit, they belong to those who are led by that Spirit, and therefore are not under the law. 1Ti 1:9-10.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Gal 5:23. Meekness is virtually the same as mildness or gentleness in one’s attitude toward another. One who Is meek will not be severe or harsh in his approach to another, even though the latter may be in the wrong. Temperance is from EGKRATEIA, and Thayer defines it, “self-control,” and explains it to mean, “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual [fleshly] appetites.” In popular usage, the word is made to have direct application to the use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage. It cannot be properly so used, because no amount of indulgence in drunkenness, however limited, is permitted for Christians. The scripture term for such things is “abstain” (1Th 5:22). Temperance can be used only in reference to things that are not wrong except when carried to excess. Against such there is no law. Paul has had much to say about the law of Christ as against that of Moses, because that was the most outstanding issue in the church at that time. The statement here means that the Lord has never had any law in force that would have been violated by the virtues just mentioned in this and the preceding verse.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. [Contrast between light and darkness is no more definite and distinct than that between these two catalogues which represent carnal and spiritual desires. All those who do these works of God, find no law of God interfering with them in the exercise of their labors.]
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
5:23 Meekness, temperance: {17} against such there is no law.
(17) Lest that any man should object that Paul plays the deceiver, as one who urging the Spirit urges nothing but that which the Law commands, he shows that he requires not that literal and outward obedience, but spiritual, which proceeds not from the Law but from the Spirit of Christ, who gives us new birth, and must and ought to be the ruler and guider of our life.