The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Eleven: "Walking in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:13-18)

In Galatians chapter 5, the Apostle Paul discusses how the Galatian Christians ought to understand their freedom in Christ–especially in the face of great pressure to return to “works of law,” as insisted upon by the Judaizers. To ensure that the Galatians stand firm against the legalistic error spreading quickly throughout the churches of the region, Paul makes appeal to the doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone, as the basis for the Christian life, which Paul describes here as “walking by the Spirit.”

Paul makes a sharp contrast between the flesh (the impulses and desires of the fallen nature) and the Spirit (who now indwells the people God securing their union with Christ). Walking by the Spirit–which is connected to the fruit of the Spirit in the balance of chapter (verses 22-24), also entails an intense struggle against the flesh (what we were before coming to faith in Jesus Christ). Now free from the condemnation of the law, the Spirit gives us the desire and ability to obey God’s commands (especially the love of neighbor). But the indwelling Spirit is opposed by the sinful habits of the flesh (which is the desire to seek self-interest), even after the flesh no longer dominates and characterizes us. In Galatians 5:13-18, Paul discusses what it means to walk by the Spirit, while at the same time we struggle against the desires of the flesh (our sinful habits).

Resources for Episode Eleven:

B. B. Warfield, The Spirit of God in the Old Testament

F. F. Bruce: "Flesh and Spirit"

Batzig: The Flesh/Spirit Contrast in Paul

Naselli: Flesh and Spirit Contrasted

Bibliography for the Series:

F. F. Bruce, Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free

Guy Waters, The Life and Theology of Paul

Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians

Moo, Galatians (Baker Exegetical Commentary)

J. V. Fesko, Galatians, Lectio Continua Series

Music (Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)