Galatians 5:18
What does Galatians 5:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 5:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 5:18 means
To be led by the Spirit is to be guided and governed by Him, and those so led are not under the law. This does not mean lawlessness; rather, the Spirit brings believers into a new realm where their acceptance with God is not measured by the law, and their conduct is shaped from within. The law can expose sin and condemn, but it cannot empower obedience. The Spirit can. Thus, the path to holiness is not returning to regulations but yielding to the Spirit’s leadership. Freedom from the law’s yoke and power over sin come together under His guidance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if by the Spirit ye are led, ye are not under law.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.
Context
After describing the inner conflict (v.17), Paul states the liberating condition of those led by the Spirit: they are not under the law. This transitions naturally into the two lists that follow. Verses 19–21 catalog the “works of the flesh,” warning that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. Verses 22–23 then present the Spirit’s “fruit,” virtues that no law condemns. The contrast clarifies what Spirit-led life looks like in practice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
- Galatians 5:16
But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
- Proverbs 8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;
- Isaiah 48:16
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit.
- 1 Timothy 1:9
as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
- Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God.
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