Ver. 5 Wait for the hope of righteousness.—Righteousness, in the sense of justification, is already attained, but the consummation of it in future perfection is the object of hope to be waited for.
Ver. 6. Faith which worketh by love.—Effectually worketh, exhibits its energy by love, and love is the fulfilling of the law.
Ver. 9. A little leaven.—Of false doctrine, a small amount of evil influence.
Ver. 10. He that troubleth you.—The leaven traced to personal agency; whoever plays the troubler. Shall bear his judgment.—Due and inevitable condemnation from God.
Ver. 11. Then is the offence of the cross ceased.—The offence, the stumbling-block, to the Jew which roused his anger was not the shame of Messiah crucified, but the proclamation of free salvation to all, exclusive of the righteousness of human works.
Ver. 12. I would they were cut off which trouble you.—Self-mutilated, an imprecation more strongly expressed in chap. i. 8, 9. Christian teachers used language in addressing Christians in the then heathen world that would be regarded as intolerable in modern Christendom, purified and exalted by Christ through their teachings.
Ver. 13. Use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.—Do not give the flesh the handle or pretext for its indulgence, which it eagerly seeks for. By love serve one another.—If ye must be in bondage, be servants to one another in love.
Ver. 15. If ye bite and devour one another, . . . consumed.—Figures taken from the rage of beasts of prey. The biting of controversy naturally runs into the devouring of controversial mood waxing fierce with indulgence. And the controversialists, each snapping at and gnawing his antagonist, forget the tendency is to consume the Christian cause. Strength of soul, health of body, character, and resources, are all consumed by broils.
Ver. 18. If ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.—Under no irksome restraint. To him who loves, law is not irksome bondage but delightful direction. Active spiritual life is a safeguard against lawless affection.
Ver. 19. The works of the flesh.—1. Sensual vices—“adultery [omitted in the oldest MSS.], fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.” 2. Theological vices—“idolatry, witchcraft.” 3. Malevolent vices—“hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders.” 4. Vices of excess—“drunkenness, revellings.”