Galatians Chapter 5 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πᾶς all G3956
πᾶς all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 3 of 16
all, any, every, the whole
νόμος the law G3551
νόμος the law
Strong's: G3551
Word #: 4 of 16
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἐν even in G1722
ἐν even in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 5 of 16
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ἑνὶ one G1520
ἑνὶ one
Strong's: G1520
Word #: 6 of 16
one
λόγῳ word G3056
λόγῳ word
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 7 of 16
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
πληροῦται, is fulfilled G4137
πληροῦται, is fulfilled
Strong's: G4137
Word #: 8 of 16
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
ἐν even in G1722
ἐν even in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 9 of 16
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῷ· G3588
τῷ·
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀγαπήσεις this Thou shalt love G25
Ἀγαπήσεις this Thou shalt love
Strong's: G25
Word #: 11 of 16
to love (in a social or moral sense)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλησίον neighbour G4139
πλησίον neighbour
Strong's: G4139
Word #: 13 of 16
(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)
σου thy G4675
σου thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 14 of 16
of thee, thy
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 15 of 16
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
εαυτόν thyself G1438
εαυτόν thyself
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 16 of 16
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

Analysis & Commentary

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Paul summarizes law's intent. "For all the law is fulfilled" (ho gar pas nomos en heni logō peplērōtai, ὁ γὰρ πᾶς νόμος ἐν ἑνὶ λόγῳ πεπλήρωται)—the entire law is summed up, completed, fulfilled in one statement. Perfect tense indicates permanent state. "Even in this" (en tō)—in this word/statement. He quotes Leviticus 19:18: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (agapēseis ton plēsion sou hōs seauton, ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν).

Jesus taught the same (Matthew 22:39-40, Mark 12:31). Love for neighbor fulfills law's second table (commands regarding human relationships). The Spirit produces this love; law commands but can't create it. Believers fulfill law not by legal obedience but by Spirit-produced love. This isn't replacing law with love but recognizing love as law's goal and essence. Walking in the Spirit naturally fulfills what law intended but couldn't accomplish. Love is law's fulfillment, not its replacement.

Historical Context

Jewish teaching often sought to summarize Torah's essence. Hillel's negative version: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor." Jesus and Paul phrase it positively: actively love neighbor as yourself. This isn't general benevolence but costly, sacrificial love modeled on Christ's love for us (John 13:34-35, Ephesians 5:2). Paul's argument: since law's purpose is love, and the Spirit produces love, Spirit-led believers fulfill law's intent without being under law as means of righteousness. This resolves apparent antithesis between freedom from law and moral living.

Questions for Reflection