Galatians 5:13
What does Galatians 5:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:13 means
Freedom is the believer’s calling, but it must not be twisted into an excuse for the flesh—self-indulgent, self-centered living. Instead, freedom becomes the platform for loving service: “through love be servants one to another.” The paradox is beautiful: Christ frees us from trying to earn God’s favor so that we can gladly give ourselves to others. True liberty releases us from self-justification and frees us for self-giving. Love is the Spirit’s way of directing freedom away from sin and toward the good of the neighbor. This guards the church from both legalism and license, keeping the gospel’s grace at the center of life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because you, brothers, were marked out to be free; only do not make use of your free condition to give the flesh its chance, but through love be servants one to another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For ye--to freedom ye were called, brethren, only not the freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through the love serve ye one another,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For you, brethren, have been called unto liberty. Only make not liberty an occasion to the flesh: but by charity of the spirit serve one another.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For ye have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Context
After condemning the agitators (v.12), Paul shows the right path. Verses 13–15 form a small unit on Christian ethics rooted in freedom. Verse 13 states the principle: do not indulge the flesh; serve one another through love. Verse 14 will ground this in the law’s summary, and verse 15 will warn against destructive conflict. This prepares for the Spirit-focused strategy in verses 16–18 and the contrasting lists in verses 19–23 that show what flesh and Spirit each produce.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
- 1 Peter 2:16
as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.
- Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
- Ephesians 5:21
subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
- Romans 6:18
and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.
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