1. Galatians 5:18 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean to be under law?

Galatians 5:18 (ESV)

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The law is not above the Christian as a standard to achieve in order to enjoy God’s favour, but below him as a guide for living in response to God’s salvation.1 To be under law, is to be in Adam, obligated to perfect law obedience in order to enjoy life with God. United to Christ and led by the Spirit, however, the Christian already enjoys the rights of sonship (Galatians 4:4–5) and he now desires to live as a child of God. He is in Christ and not in Adam (see 1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12–21), led by the Spirit and not under law.