“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
My Notes
What Does Galatians 5:13 Mean?
Paul addresses a specific danger of Christian freedom: using liberty as an opportunity for the flesh. You have been set free — but freedom has a purpose, and it is not self-indulgence.
The alternative: by love serve one another. Freedom is not for yourself. It is for service. The liberty you received is meant to be spent on others — through love.
"Use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh" — the word occasion (aphorme) is a military term meaning a base of operations. Do not let the flesh use your freedom as a staging ground for its operations.
The entire law, Paul says (v.14), is fulfilled in one sentence: love thy neighbour as thyself. Every command, every requirement, every moral instruction — all of it is summarized in love. Freedom is not the absence of obligation. It is the presence of love as the governing principle.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the flesh try to 'hijack' Christian freedom?
- 2.What does 'by love serve one another' look like in your daily relationships?
- 3.How is freedom for service different from freedom for self-indulgence?
- 4.Where are you using liberty as an 'occasion for the flesh' rather than for love?
Devotional
Ye have been called unto liberty. Free. Genuinely, completely free. The chains are off. The law's condemnation is removed. You are free.
Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh. Freedom has a boundary — not a legal boundary but a love boundary. Your freedom is not a license to indulge. It is an opportunity to serve.
By love serve one another. That is what freedom is for. Not self-gratification. Service. The liberty you received was purchased at an enormous cost — and its purpose is to be poured out for others.
The flesh will try to hijack your freedom. It will say: you are free, so do what you want. Paul says: you are free, so love. The freedom is real. The question is what you do with it.
Are you using your freedom to serve or to indulge? The answer reveals whether you understand what the freedom was for.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word,.... Not the ceremonial law, to which acts of mercy, kindness, and love are…
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty - Freedom from Jewish rites and ceremonies; see the notes at Gal 3:28;…
Ye have been called unto liberty - A total freedom from all the burthensome rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Only…
In the latter part of this chapter the apostle comes to exhort these Christians to serious practical godliness, as the…
Liberty must not be abused
13. St Paul seems to be recurring to what he had said in Gal 5:5, the intermediate verses…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture