Galatians 5:22

• Choosing to follow the Holy Spirit leads to a life that pleases God, unlike following sinful desires (5:16; 5:19–21). Human effort and laws cannot achieve this (compare John 15:1–8).

• This list of virtues addresses issues in the Galatian church.

• Love is the greatest Christian virtue and includes all others (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Only God's Spirit can help us love those who hate us (see Matthew 5:43–48; Luke 6:35–36).

• Joy from the Holy Spirit does not depend on circumstances (see Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

• Peace with God brings inner well-being (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:15; Philippians 4:6–7; Colossians 1:20). It helps us become peacemakers with others (see Matthew 5:9; Romans 8:6; 12:18; 14:17–19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:3; 6:15).

• Patience (or tolerance or long-suffering) helps us endure difficult situations and be patient with others (Ephesians 4:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; James 5:10–11). God is patient with us (Exodus 34:6; Psalms 103:8; Romans 2:4; 9:22; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Peter 3:15). God promises to be with those who are patient with others (Isaiah 57:15).

• Kindness means being generous and helping others, showing the same spirit of giving that God shows to us (Romans 2:4; 11:22; Titus 3:4–6).

• Goodness: Compare Romans 15:14; Ephesians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

• Faithfulness (or faith) means being reliable and trustworthy in our relationships, just as God is with us (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

These two lists compare life controlled by sinful desires (5:19–21) with life guided by the Holy Spirit (5:22–26). Living by the Spirit means following a higher moral standard than the law can provide.

A faith without laws will not cause moral ruin. The Holy Spirit guides people, changing their hearts to follow God's will and not sin (see Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).

Paul explains that justification (being in right relationship with God) comes by faith alone. He then asks, "If we do not follow the law, what guides our behavior?" He answers that the Holy Spirit provides righteousness. The Judaizers (Jewish Christians who believed in following traditional Jewish laws) likely warned that Paul's message of freedom could lead believers to moral failure (5:1). Paul argues that freedom is not an excuse to sin because love guides Christians. We should use our freedom to serve each other with love (see also 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15).