Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Galatians 5:5 - 5:5
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
5. The contrast of St Paul and those who acted as he.
ἡμεῖς γὰρ (true believers, Gal 4:26; Gal 4:28) πνεύματι. One of the difficult instances of anarthrous πνεῦμα (Gal 5:16; Gal 5:18; Gal 5:25). We must translate it “by the spirit,” but the connotation is probably not the Holy Spirit as a Person but rather that higher mode of action which is “spirit” not “flesh.” See Appendix, Note F.
ἐκ πίστεως (Gal 2:16) ἐλπίδα δικαιοσύνης. Gen. of apposition epexegetic of ἐλπ. Perfect and personal righteousness is regarded as the objective hope set before the Christian; cf. Col 1:5. The insertion of “hope” suggests the need of continuance in the service of Christ. There is a sense in which righteousness is given to the believer at once (Rom 9:30), but its complete possession will not take place until the Parousia. So we hope for υἱοθεσία, Rom 8:23, though in a sense already received (supra Gal 3:26, Gal 4:5). Compare ἐλπ. σωτηρίας, 1Th 5:8.
ἀπεκδεχομεθα, Rom 8:19; Rom 8:23.