Galatians 5:24

The oldest manuscripts read, "They that are of Christ Jesus"; they that belong to Christ Jesus; being "led by (His) Spirit" (Gal 5:18). have crucified the flesh--They nailed it to the cross once for all when they became Christ's, on believing and being baptized (Rom 6:3-4): they keep it now in a state of crucifixion (Rom 6:6): so that the Spirit can produce in them, comparatively uninterrupted by it, "the fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22). "Man, by faith, is dead to the former standing point of a sinful life, and rises to a new life (Gal 5:25) of communion with Christ (Col 3:3). The act by which they have crucified the flesh with its lust, is already accomplished ideally in principle. But the practice, or outward conformation of the life, must harmonize with the tendency given to the inward life" (Gal 5:25) [NEANDER]. We are to be executioners, dealing cruelly with the body of sin, which has caused the acting of all cruelties on Christ's body. with the affections--Translate, "with its passions." Thus they are dead to the law's condemning power, which is only for the fleshly, and their lusts (Gal 5:23).

In this chapter the apostle comes to make application of his foregoing discourse. He begins it with a general caution, or exhortation (Gal 5:1), which he afterwards enforces by several considerations (Gal 5:2-12). He then presses them to serious practical godliness, which would be the best antidote against the snares of their false teachers; particularly, I. That they should not strive with one another (Gal 5:13-15). II. That they would strive against sin, where he shows, 1. That there is in every one a struggle between flesh and spirit (Gal 5:17). 2. That it is our duty and interest, in this struggle, to side with the better part (Gal 5:16, Gal 5:18). 3. He specifies the works of the flesh, which must be watched against and mortified, and the fruits of the Spirit, which must be brought forth and cherished, and shows of what importance it is that they be so (Gal 5:19-24). And then concludes the chapter with a caution against pride and envy.

5:24 Those who have faith in Christ are crucified with him (cp. 2:19-20; Rom 6) and become new people (Rom 6:1-2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:5-15): They have died to their sinful nature and to the law (Gal 2:19; Rom 7:4-6; 2 Cor 5:14; Col 3:1-4). • passions and desires: As in 5:19-21.