Galatians 5:23

King James Bible

"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Commentary

These conclude Paul's list of the fruit of the Spirit, with meekness referring to gentle strength under control and temperance meaning self-control or moderation. Both virtues were highly valued in Greco-Roman philosophy but here are presented as supernatural results of the Spirit's work rather than mere human achievement. Paul emphasizes that no legal code—whether Jewish Torah or civil law—prohibits these spiritual virtues, contrasting them with the works of the flesh listed earlier. This underscores his argument that those led by the Spirit transcend law-keeping because they naturally produce what the law ultimately seeks: righteous character.

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