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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 a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Rom. 7:21‑23)
w
Rom. 8:6‑7• 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom. 8:6‑7)
y
Rom. 7:15,19• 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, 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 can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
 13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. (Psa. 19:12‑13)
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Psa. 51:1‑5,10‑12• 1<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.>> Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
 5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (Psa. 51:1‑5,10‑12)
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Psa. 65:3• 3Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. (Psa. 65:3)
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Psa. 119:5,20,24‑25,32,35,40,133,159• 5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
 20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
 24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
 25DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
 32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
 35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
 40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
 133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
 159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. (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 do not forget thy commandments. (Psa. 119:176)
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Eccl. 7:20• 20For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (Eccl. 7:20)
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Isa. 6:5• 5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because 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, the Lord of hosts. (Isa. 6:5)
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Matt. 16:17,23• 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be 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 willing, but the flesh is 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,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Rom. 7:18,21‑25)
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Rom. 8:5‑6,13• 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Rom. 8:5‑6,13)
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James 4:5‑6• 5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:5‑6)
and these.
Gal. 3:21• 21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (Gal. 3:21)
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Matt. 12:30• 30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matt. 12:30)
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Rom. 7:7‑8,10‑14• 7What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
 8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
 10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
 12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
 13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom. 7:7‑8,10‑14)
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Rom. 8:5‑8• 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom. 8:5‑8)
so.
Psa. 119:4‑6• 4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
 5O 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, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? (Psa. 130:3)
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Matt. 5:6• 6Blessed are they which do 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 unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
 46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
 54Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
 55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
 56But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
 57And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
 58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
 59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.
 60And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto 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 allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Rom. 7:15‑23)
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Phil. 3:12‑16• 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (Phil. 3:12‑16)
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James 3:2• 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (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 just to forgive us our sins, and to 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.