Having been freed from the slavery of the law, under Paul’s initial visit, why would they now want to lose their freedom and go back to the bondage of the law? Paul answers this question in chapter 5 in three ways. First, he implores them to stand firm in their freedom in Christ (v. 1). Then, he lists six negative consequences of returning to the law (vv. 2–11). Finally, he introduces the Spirit-filled life as the power to overcome sin and evil (vv. 12–26).

In this second to last section of the letter (5:1-6:10), Paul turns practical and provided a defense of Christian liberty. Having defended both his authority as an apostle and the doctrine of justification by faith, Paul turned to defend the life of Christian freedom. Would the apostle’s teaching lead the Galatians into lawlessness or into godliness? The Christian life is described as a life apart from Law, a life apart from license, a life according to the Spirit, and a life of service.

Paul turns now from argument to application, from the doctrinal to the practical. The Christian who lives by faith is not going to become a rebel. Quite the contrary, the Christian is going to experience the inner discipline of God that is far better than the outer discipline of man-made rules. No person could become a rebel who depends on God’s grace, yields to God’s Spirit, lives for others, and seeks to glorify God. The legalist is the one who eventually rebels, because they are living in bondage, depending on the flesh, living for self, and seeking the praise of people and not the glory of God.