Gal 5:13-15 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 5:13-26: 5:13–6:10 Having shown that justification comes by faith alone, Paul now addresses the question, “If we don’t keep the law, then what will guide our conduct?” His answer is that righteousness comes from the Spirit. The Judaizers probably warned that Paul’s message of freedom (5:1 ) would put believers on a slippery slope to moral ruin. Paul argues that freedom is not a license to sin, because love guides Christians. Liberty should be used to serve one another in love (cp. 2:20 ; 2 Cor 5:14-15 ).

Summary for Gal 5:13-26: 5:13–6:10 ^a Having shown that justification comes by faith alone, Paul now addresses the question, “If we don’t keep the law, then what will guide our conduct?” His answer is that righteousness comes from the Spirit. The Judaizers probably warned that Paul’s message of freedom (5:1 ^b) would put believers on a slippery slope to moral ruin. Paul argues that freedom is not a license to sin, because love guides Christians. Liberty should be used to serve one another in love (cp. 2:20 ^c; 2 Cor 5:14-15 ^d).
5:14 ^e the whole law can be summed up (or the whole law is fulfilled): Christ’s followers fulfill the law by exercising love toward every neighbor (Lev 19:18 ^f; see Matt 7:12 ^g; Luke 6:27-36 ^h; 10:25-37 ⁱ; John 13:34-35 ^j; 15:9-17 ^k; Rom 13:8-10 ^l).
5:15 ^m The opposite of love is biting and devouring one another (cp. Ps 35:25 ⁿ; Prov 30:14 ^o; Jer 8:17 ^p). People who do not love are characterized by strife and bitterness. They will end up destroying one another. By contrast, love gives life to others (John 3:16 ^q; 15:12-13 ^r).