Galatians 5:13

Called unto liberty. That is, the “liberty” of salvation by faith in Christ as opposed to salvation by the works of the law (see on v. 1). Concerning the relationship between the “liberty” of the gospel and the law of God see on v. 6. Compare the teachings of our Lord on the subject of Christian liberty (John 8:31-36).

Liberty is not to be confused with license. True love for God leads one to seek to understand and to do the will of God. God’s love and grace do not release a man from loyalty and obedience to Him (see on Matt. 7:21-27; Gal. 5:6). The “liberty” of which Paul speaks is freedom from “bondage” to the ceremonial system (see on ch. 5:1). Concerning the relationship between Christian liberty and divine law see on Rom. 3:31 (cf. on Gal. 3:19, 24). A man can experience no higher joy than the joy that comes from wholehearted, intelligent cooperation with the divine purpose that gave him existence.

Occasion to the flesh. The liberty of the gospel does not license a man to practice the “works of the flesh” (see on vs. 19-21). Freedom is a safe possession only where there is self-control to balance it. God sets men free from sin and then works in them “to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13; cf. on Rom. 8:3, 4).

Serve one another. That is, instead of taking advantage of one another. The last two clauses stand in antithesis, each to the other. He who gives “occasion to the flesh” serves himself, not his fellow men. Love for others is made evident by readiness to serve them (see on Matt. 22:39, 40). Paul commonly refers to himself as a “servant” (see Rom. 1:1; Titus 1:1), but his bondage was the voluntary servitude of love. Love for God finds its highest and best expression in love and service for one’s fellows (see 1 John 4:20, 21). In Gal. 5:13 to 6:15 Paul stresses the truth that the only valid evidence of acceptance with God and sonship to Him is a transformed life (ch. 6:15) in which “the fruit of the Spirit” (ch. 5:22, 23) reaches maturity and brings “good unto all men” (chs. 6:10; cf. ch. 5:13). This kind of love fulfills the law (Rom. 13:10).