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Galatians 5

Gal. 5:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
For
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
t the flesh
sarx (Greek #4561)
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such)
KJV usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: probably from the base of 4563
lusteth
epithumeo (Greek #1937)
to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)
KJV usage: covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).
Pronounce: ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o
Origin: from 1909 and 2372
against
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
the Spirit
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
, and
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
the Spirit
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
against
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
the flesh
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
sarx (Greek #4561)
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such)
KJV usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: probably from the base of 4563
: and
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
these
tauta (Greek #5023)
these things
KJV usage: + afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
Pronounce: tow'-tah
Origin: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778
are contrary
antikeimai (Greek #480)
to lie opposite, i.e. be adverse (figuratively, repugnant) to
KJV usage: adversary, be contrary, oppose.
Pronounce: an-tik'-i-mahee
Origin: from 473 and 2749
w the one to the other
allelon (Greek #240)
one another
KJV usage: each other, mutual, one another, (the other), (them-, your-)selves, (selves) together (sometimes with 3326 or 4314).
Pronounce: al-lay'-lone
Origin: Genitive plural from 243 reduplicated
: so that
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
y ye
poieo (Greek #4160)
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
KJV usage: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare 4238.
Pronounce: poy-eh'-o
Origin: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary
cannot
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
do
poieo (Greek #4160)
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
KJV usage: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare 4238.
Pronounce: poy-eh'-o
Origin: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary
the things
tauta (Greek #5023)
these things
KJV usage: + afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
Pronounce: tow'-tah
Origin: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of 3778
that
hos (Greek #3739)
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
KJV usage: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also 3757.
Pronounce: hos
Origin: ἥ (hay), and neuter ὅ (ho) probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588)
ye would
an (Greek #302)
a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty
KJV usage: (what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for 1437.
Pronounce: an
thelo (Greek #2309)
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas 1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in
KJV usage: desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
Pronounce: thel'-o
Origin: or ἐθέλω (eth-el'-o), in certain tenses θελέω (thel-eh'-o), and ἐθελέω (eth-el-eh'-o), which are otherwise obsolete apparently strengthened from the alternate form of 138
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ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
t
Rom. 7:21‑23• 21I find then the law upon *me* who will to practise what is right, that with *me* evil is there.
 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:
 23but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members. (Rom. 7:21‑23)
w
Rom. 8:6‑7• 6For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace.
 7Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be: (Rom. 8:6‑7)
y
Rom. 7:15,19• 15For that which I do, I do not own: for not what I will, this I do; but what I hate, this I practise.
 19For I do not practise the good that I will; but the evil I do not will, that I do. (Rom. 7:15,19)

More on:

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Flesh,
Spirit

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the flesh.
Psa. 19:12‑13• 12Who understandeth his errors? Purify me from secret faults.
 13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be perfect, and I shall be innocent from great transgression. (Psa. 19:12‑13)
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Psa. 51:1‑5,10‑12• 1To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
 2Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
 3For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.
 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.
 5Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
 11Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.
 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me. (Psa. 51:1‑5,10‑12)
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Psa. 65:3• 3Iniquities have prevailed against me: our transgressions, thou wilt forgive them. (Psa. 65:3)
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Psa. 119:5,20,24‑25,32,35,40,133,159• 5Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
 20My soul breaketh for longing after thy judgments at all times.
 24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
 25DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken me according to thy word.
 32I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
 35Make me to walk in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
 40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
 133Establish my steps in thy *word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
 159See how I have loved thy precepts: quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy loving-kindness. (Psa. 119:5,20,24‑25,32,35,40,133,159)
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Psa. 119:176• 176I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for I have not forgotten thy commandments. (Psa. 119:176)
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Eccl. 7:20• 20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not. (Eccl. 7:20)
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Isa. 6:5• 5And I said, Woe unto me! for I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts. (Isa. 6:5)
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Matt. 16:17,23• 17And Jesus answering said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens.
 23But turning round, he said to Peter, Get away behind me, Satan; thou art an offence to me, for thy mind is not on the things that are of God, but on the things that are of men. (Matt. 16:17,23)
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Matt. 26:41• 41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh weak. (Matt. 26:41)
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John 3:6• 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)
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Rom. 7:18,21‑25• 18For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, good does not dwell: for to will is there with me, but to do right I find not.
 21I find then the law upon *me* who will to practise what is right, that with *me* evil is there.
 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:
 23but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members.
 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of this body of death?
 25I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then *I* *myself* with the mind serve God's law; but with the flesh sin's law. (Rom. 7:18,21‑25)
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Rom. 8:5‑6,13• 5For they that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh; and they that are according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
 6For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace.
 13for if ye live according to flesh, ye are about to die; but if, by the Spirit, ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live: (Rom. 8:5‑6,13)
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James 4:5‑6• 5Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?
 6But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God sets himself against the proud, but gives grace to the lowly. (James 4:5‑6)
and these.
Gal. 3:21• 21Is then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law; (Gal. 3:21)
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Matt. 12:30• 30He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathers not with me scatters. (Matt. 12:30)
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Rom. 7:7‑8,10‑14• 7What shall we say then? is the law sin? Far be the thought. But I had not known sin, unless by law: for I had not had conscience also of lust unless the law had said, Thou shalt not lust;
 8but sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin was dead.
 10And the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death:
 11for sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
 12So that the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
 13Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but *I* am fleshly, sold under sin. (Rom. 7:7‑8,10‑14)
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Rom. 8:5‑8• 5For they that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh; and they that are according to Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
 6For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace.
 7Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God; for neither indeed can it be:
 8and they that are in flesh cannot please God. (Rom. 8:5‑8)
so.
Psa. 119:4‑6• 4Thou hast enjoined thy precepts, to be kept diligently.
 5Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
 6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. (Psa. 119:4‑6)
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Psa. 130:3• 3If thou, Jah, shouldest mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand? (Psa. 130:3)
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Matt. 5:6• 6Blessed they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for *they* shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6)
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Luke 22:33,46,54‑61• 33And he said to him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
 46And he said to them, Why sleep ye? rise up and pray that ye enter not into temptation.
 54And having laid hold on him, they led him away, and they led him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed afar off.
 55And they having lit a fire in the midst of the court and sat down together, Peter sat among them.
 56And a certain maid, having seen him sitting by the light, and having fixed her eyes upon him, said, And this man was with him.
 57But he denied him, saying, Woman, I do not know him.
 58And after a short time another seeing him said, And *thou* art of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.
 59And after the lapse of about one hour another stoutly maintained it, saying, In truth this man also was with him, for also he is a Galilaean.
 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he was yet speaking, the cock crew.
 61And the Lord, turning round, looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice. (Luke 22:33,46,54‑61)
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Rom. 7:15‑23• 15For that which I do, I do not own: for not what I will, this I do; but what I hate, this I practise.
 16But if what I do not will, this I practise, I consent to the law that it is right.
 17Now then it is no longer *I* that do it, but the sin that dwells in me.
 18For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, good does not dwell: for to will is there with me, but to do right I find not.
 19For I do not practise the good that I will; but the evil I do not will, that I do.
 20But if what *I* do not will, this I practise, it is no longer *I* that do it, but the sin that dwells in me.
 21I find then the law upon *me* who will to practise what is right, that with *me* evil is there.
 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man:
 23but I see another law in my members, warring in opposition to the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which exists in my members. (Rom. 7:15‑23)
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Phil. 3:12‑16• 12Not that I have already obtained the prize, or am already perfected; but I pursue, if also I may get possession of it, seeing that also I have been taken possession of by Christ Jesus.
 13Brethren, *I* do not count to have got possession myself; but one thing--forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before,
 14I pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus.
 15As many therefore as are perfect, let us be thus minded; and if ye are any otherwise minded, this also God shall reveal to you.
 16But whereto we have attained, let us walk in the same steps. (Phil. 3:12‑16)
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James 3:2• 2For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, *he* is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too. (James 3:2)
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1 John 1:8‑10• 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8‑10)
• The flesh strives to hinder us when we would walk according to the Spirit, and the Spirit resists the working of the flesh to prevent it from accomplishing its will. (“Galatians 5” by J.N. Darby)
• What gives power is the heart surrendering itself in everything, and thus set at liberty by Christ. I am perfectly delivered, and the measure of my deliverance is Christ, and Christ raised from the dead. This is Christianity; and when the soul thankfully accepts from God this blessed liberty, the Holy Ghost is given to and acts in the believer as a Spirit of peace and power; so that if there is the flesh lusting against the Spirit, the Spirit resists this, in order that (for such is the true meaning) they should not do the things that they would. (“Galatians 5” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire;

W. Kelly Translation

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17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things are opposed one to another, that ye should not doa those things which ye would;

WK Translation Notes

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a
This, I believe, is what the Holy Spirit wrote and meant. "That ye cannot do" is positively wrong doctrine and bad translation. We are responsible never to sin, and the Spirit is in us to give adequate power to prevent it. The KJV here naturally means an excuse for sinning, one of the consequences of non-deliverance from law, on the opposite side being the presumptuous thought of perfection attainable here below, into one or the other of which all are apt to fall who know not the gospel by faith.