Against Such There Is No Law

Galatians 5:22-23

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

       I recently received an email requesting my opinion on the interpretation of the last part of Galatians 5:23. The question posed is not an easy one and has been debated for a long time. I have the tendancy to agree with the position that no law has ever been created against the fruits of the Spirit because there is no need to inhibit, limit or control them. These fruits of the Spirit are free and freely given to the followers of Christ who attempt to walk by the Spirit. "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25). Just as there is a responsibility not to become enslaved to a system of legislative restriction and regulation, so also is there a responsibility to place ourselves willingly under the guidance of the Spirit of our Lord. With this surrender to His influence in our hearts and lives comes a divine assurance: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (vs. 16). "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" (Rom. 8:5-6). "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom. 8:9).

       There is within each of us a war being waged. It is the carnal versus the spiritual; the lure of this world versus the leading of the Spirit (Gal. 5:17; cf. Romans 7). If we give in to the former, we manifest the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), and we shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If we surrender to the latter, however, we display the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and we find ourselves being transformed daily into the image of God's beloved Son. "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Rom. 8:14). "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal. 5:24; cf. Rom. 6:6).

       Galatians 5:22-23 list nine godly qualities that should be present and prospering in each of our lives if we are a Christian. When we list the works of the flesh we generally quote the statement at the end which informs such persons that they will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, most times when we quote the passage dealing with the fruits of the Spirit we fail to finish the thought given by inspiration. As we know verse 23 concludes with this statement: "...against such there is no law."

       I think that this can be best explained to mean that God hasn't made any specific laws forbidding any of the nine qualities which comprise the "fruits of the Spirit." In other words, God never commanded, "Thou shalt not love," or "Thou shalt not be kind," or "Thou shalt not practice self-control." Thus, there is no law prohibiting men from displaying these qualities in their lives.

       It seems to me that Paul seems to be saying here that NO law has been given by God which stands "against" the manifestation in our lives of the fruits of the Spirit, nor against the particulars of the methodology of that manifestation. We may not all exhibit the same manifestation of the fruits in the same way. The Greek preposition used in this phrase in Galations 5:23 is kata, which, when used with the genitive case (as it is here), means "down upon; against." Isn't it wonderful that God, in His matchless grace, has given no legislation which comes down upon or against any of His children in the practicing and displaying of any of the qualities of the fruits of the Spirit? As born again Christians, we are free! We have been liberated from law; we are released from regulation. There is no law against the showing of love to orphans. There is no regulation of acts of kindness. There is no restriction on faithfulness, nor any limitation of joy. We have been liberated to "walk by the Spirit," rather than being shackled by restrictive law. If someone tries to regulate by law your manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit in your walk with the Lord, they are legislating where God has not. When you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law (Gal. 5:18). "Against such there is no law" (vs. 23).

       The Bible Knowledge Commentary, in its exposition of this phrase, asserts confidently, and somewhat naively, "obviously no one would make laws against people who practice such things." I agree that no one should, but many do. Legislation is not conducive to spiritual growth and maturity. The fruits of the Spirit can only develop in a heart that is set free. I think that legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Legalism quenches the Spirit in our lives; it puts the Spirit on a leash and restricts His operation. Legalism stifles spirituality. It makes the Spirit sterile and incapable of producing fruit within those in whom He dwells. It is for this reason, I believe, that our God issued no law against such. To do so would defeat His purpose for our lives.

       The gospel of Christ is not a weary round of prohibitions, but is a glorious system of positive attainment, in a Divine life, which is loving, joyful, peaceful, and humane to its deepest depths. The law, as Paul has said, was given to restrain evil; but these qualities do not need to be restrained. And yet, some misguided, law-bound brethren do indeed seek to restrict, restrain and regulate the expression and manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit in the lives of other disciples of Christ. In so doing, they create and bind laws where God has not.

       I don't know if this helps clarify the interpretation or not but I think it pretty well expresses my opinion on the question.