The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, Galatians 5:16–24, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.
III. Admonition concerning fleshly lusts, and how, on the other hand one ought to show forth the fruits of the Spirit. (v. 16–24)
16. But I say: Walk in the Spirit (follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, through whom You have been reborn and renewed), so that you do not fulfill * (but rather, through the Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh, Romans 8:13) the (wicked) lusts of the flesh (which still arise in your corrupted human nature).
(Romans 8:1, 4; cf. 13:13)
* Greek: and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
17. For the * flesh lusts against the Spirit (the wicked lust, which still lingers in your corrupted nature and dwells therein, although it does not rule, yet it strives after dominion and incites you to do what is contrary to the renewal and driving of the Holy Spirit), and the Spirit (lusts) against the flesh (the Spirit who has given you new birth and worked new movements in you drives you so that you ought to resist such wicked lusts of the flesh). These are against one another (and contend against one another like enemies lying in the field in the regenerate), so that you (therefore) do not (with full obedience, without any lack) do what you (as those who are reborn and renewed gladly do) want (namely, the good, since you are hindered from it by the wicked lusts of the flesh that still cling to you. And, on the other hand, the Spirit, which lusts against the flesh, hinders you that you do not fulfill the evil, to which the flesh with its lusts incites you).
(Romans 7:23; cf. 8:6–7)
* Romans 7:15, 23
18. But if you are ruled by the Spirit (if you follow the driving of the Holy Spirit and do not allow sin to reign in your mortal body, Romans 6:12), then you are not under the Law (under the curse and compulsion of the Law, but under grace, and serve God with a free-willing Spirit).
(Romans 6:14; cf. 8:2)
19. Now evident * are the works of the flesh (which are certainly fulfilled by those in whom the flesh has dominion), such as adultery (when those betrothed and married keep company with a stranger), fornication (when single persons mingle themselves carnally), impurity (all kinds of bodily defilement, sodomitic and solitary sin, and all kinds of unchaste dealings outside of marital intercourse), unchastity (all kinds of obscenity in gestures, words, and works),
(2 Samuel 12:7; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:4)
* 1 Corinthians 6:9
20. idolatry (erring doctrine and false worship of God), sorcery (witchcraft), animosity * (against one’s neighbor on account of suspicion or prior injury), strife (unnecessary dispute), envy (against those who are preffered), wrath (without a rightful cause and without due measure), quarreling (on account of temporal goods, from an insatiable spirit), dissensions (divisions and rebellions), sects (stiff-necked defense of false doctrine) **, hatred (by which one begrudges another’s well-being), murder (killing without the command of the magistrate),
(Genesis 37:4; Revelation 21:8)
* Greek: all kinds of animosity, hatred, etc.
** Indeed, even false doctrine itself, whether one introduces it or adheres to it (see Romans 8:7; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5)
21. * drunkenness, gluttony ** (excess and overindulgence in food and drink, whereby the heart is weighed down, Luke 21:34, and pray as well as vocational duties are hindered), and the like (other lusts, which God forbids in His Law); of which (every and each) I told you beforehand (in my preaching) and say (even now) as before, that those who do (and without earnest repentance and amendment persist in) such *** (steadfastly) will **** not inherit the Kingdom of God (eternal salvation).
(Romans 13:12f.; cf. 8:13; James 1:15; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10)
* Luke 21:34
** Greek: carousing, feasting, and reveling, which properly belong together
*** Greek: and other of these similar sins
**** Ephesians 5:5
22. But the fruit * of the Spirit (the good which reborn and renewed people, as fruitful trees, do in the power and from the driving of the Holy Spirit) is: love (toward God and the neighbor), joy (the spiritual joy on account of divine grace), peace (tranquility of the conscience and peacefulness toward the neighbor), patience (longsuffering, such that one does not allow oneself to be moved quickly to anger), friendliness (in gestures and words), goodness (benevolence), faith ** (whereby one keeps what he has promised), gentleness (in overlooking the faults of the neighbor), and chastity (and temperance, whereby one abstains from forbidden things, and also observes proper measure in eating and drinking and all permitted things).
* Ephesians 5:9
** Greek: Faithfulness (Titus 2:10, especially in dealings and conduct, as well as in promises and keeping them, etc.)
23. * Against such ** (who bring forth these fruits of the Spirit) there is no Law (it does not condemn them; for although their good works are indeed not entirely perfect, yet they nevertheless please God the Lord through Christ).
* 1 Timothy 1:9
** Greek: Against these and similar things (for indeed not all virtues are named here).
24. But * those who belong to Christ (those who are incorporated by faith into Him and are true members of His spiritual body), they ** have crucified *** their flesh together with its lusts and desires (they resist the evil lusts of their sinful flesh, subdue them, and do not allow them to break out into external works by the power and the faithful contemplation of the death of Christ on the cross).
*1 Corinthians 15:23
** Romans 6:6
*** Greek: They have crucified them (from the very beginning of their conversion) and continually crucify them.
Useful Applications
III. DOCTRINE: That those who live in mortal sin (which are recounted here) without repentance, and die in this way, that they do not inherit the Kingdom of God, or cannot become partakers of eternal life; therefore, one must guard himself against this, v. 19–21. TRAINING and COMFORT: But on the other hand, the Kingdom of God is prepared for the souls who are sanctified in Christ, who are found in constant exercise of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, v. 22–24.
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 