What is the meaning of Galatians 5:5? But - The little conjunction signals a sharp contrast with the teaching Paul has just rejected—trying to be justified by the law (Galatians 5:4). - Scripture often pivots on a “but” to show grace replacing human effort: “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). - Here, Paul moves the believers’ focus from self-reliant law-keeping to God-reliant gospel living. by faith - Faith is the God-given means of receiving all Christ has accomplished (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). - It rests, not in works, but in the finished work of Jesus: “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). - Faith continually looks away from self to Christ, trusting Him alone for acceptance with God. we eagerly await - Believers live in anticipation, not anxiety. “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons” (Romans 8:23). - The verb pictures a watchman craning his neck for dawn. Our posture is hopeful expectancy, not passive resignation. - Philippians 3:20 echoes the same heartbeat: “We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” through the Spirit - The Holy Spirit is both the source and sustainer of our expectancy. He awakens faith (1 Corinthians 12:3), assures us of sonship (Galatians 4:6), and seals us “as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). - Romans 5:5 reinforces this: “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” - Waiting “through the Spirit” guards us from fleshly striving or despair; He empowers joyful confidence. the hope of righteousness - Hope here is not wishful thinking but certain future reality: the full unveiling of the righteousness already credited to us in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). - At Christ’s return we will be perfectly conformed to His likeness: “When He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). - Titus 2:13 calls this “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” - Present justification leads to future glorification; believers look forward to the day when inner righteousness and outward reality perfectly align. summary Paul contrasts law-driven effort with Spirit-empowered expectancy. By faith, not works, we lean forward to the guaranteed future when the righteousness already ours in Christ will be fully displayed. The Holy Spirit keeps that hope alive, anchoring our hearts in joyful anticipation until the day our Savior appears and completes what He began. |
    |