Walk by the Spirit (5:16–18)

Says “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (πνεύματι περιπατεῖτε (pneumati peripateite, “walk by the Spirit”); οὐ μὴ τελέσητε (ou mē telesēte, “you will by no means fulfill”)). The walk is also in view in Gal 5:16 → Rom 8:4. “For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want” (ἀλλήλοις ἀντίκειται (allēlois antikeitai, “they are opposed to one another”); ἵνα μὴ ἃ ἐὰν θέλητε ταῦτα ποιῆτε (hina mē ha ean thelēte tauta poiēte, “so that you may not do the things you would”)). A related struggle is in view in Gal 5:17 → Rom 7:15 and The law is spiritual, but I am of flesh: willing and doing, and the thanksgiving (Romans 7:14–25). “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law”. The wording is treated in Walk by the Spirit; flesh against Spirit (5:16–18), πνεῦμα, σάρξ and The mind of the flesh and the mind of the Spirit: the indwelling Spirit and putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:5–13).

Uncertain Which wishes 5:17 keeps from being done is open. Chrysostom, on 5:17, more guardedly, writes, “that you may not suffer the soul to proceed in its evil desires.” Calvin, on 5:17, writes, “This refers, unquestionably, to the regenerate.” He also writes, “The things that ye would must mean, not our natural inclinations, but the holy affections which God bestows upon us by his grace.” Lightfoot, in his paraphrase of 5:16–17, also guarded, writes, “you would fain follow the guidance of your conscience, and you are dragged back by an opposing power” These are their readings, set side by side; no verdict is given.