Gal 5:13 | NETfull | STEP | For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13

Practice Love

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; ^{▼▼ Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.} only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, ^{▼▼ Grk “as an opportunity for the flesh”; BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24; …Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”} but through love serve one another. ^{▼▼ It is possible that the verb δουλεύετε (douleuete) should be translated “serve one another in a humble manner” here, referring to the way in which slaves serve their masters (see L&N 35.27).}