Galatians 5:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} all {G3956} the law {G3551} is fulfilled {G4137} in {G1722} one {G1520} word {G3056}, even in {G1722} this; Thou shalt love {G25} thy {G4675} neighbour {G4139} as {G5613} thyself {G1438}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the whole of the Torah is summed up in this one sentence: “Love your neighbor as yourself”;

Berean Standard Bible

The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

American Standard Version

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 5:14 serves as a profound theological anchor within Paul's letter, concisely articulating that the entirety of the Mosaic Law, particularly its ethical and relational dimensions, finds its ultimate purpose, completion, and comprehensive summary in the singular, overarching command to love one's neighbor as oneself. This verse stands as a pivotal statement, bridging Paul's arguments for Christian freedom from legalistic bondage with the imperative for Spirit-led ethical living rooted in selfless love.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul’s passionate defense of Christian liberty against the Judaizers who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Having established that believers are justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law ([Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")), Paul then addresses the potential abuse of this freedom. In [Galatians 5:13](/galatians/5-13 "Galatians 5:13 - Freedom for Service"), he warns against using liberty as an "occasion for the flesh," immediately counteracting this by exhorting believers to "serve one another through love." Verse 14 then explains *how* this service through love fulfills the Law, thereby providing the positive, ethical framework for Christian living that replaces legalistic compulsion. It sets the stage for the contrast between the works of the flesh and the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") that follows.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Galatian churches were composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts. The historical tension arose from Jewish Christians (Judaizers) who believed that Gentile converts needed to adopt Jewish customs, especially circumcision, to be fully part of God's covenant people. This challenged the core of Paul's gospel of grace. For Jews, the Law (Torah) was central to their identity and relationship with God, encompassing ritual, ceremonial, and moral commands. Paul's assertion that "all the law is fulfilled in one word" would have been revolutionary and potentially scandalous to those who viewed the Law as an indivisible, eternal code. Culturally, "neighbor" in Jewish thought often referred specifically to fellow Israelites, but Jesus and Paul consistently expand this definition to encompass anyone in need, reflecting a universal love ethic.

* **Key Themes:** Galatians 5:14 encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it highlights **Love as the Fulfillment of the Law**, asserting that genuine love for others naturally leads to actions consistent with the Law's moral demands, making external legalistic observance redundant for those motivated by love. This resonates deeply with Jesus' teaching that love for God and neighbor are the greatest commandments, on which "depend all the Law and the Prophets" ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandments")). Secondly, it underscores **The Unity and Essence of God's Commands**, demonstrating that the multifaceted Law can be distilled into a single, comprehensive principle, echoing the ancient command found in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"). Lastly, it defines **Christian Liberty as Responsibility**, clarifying that freedom from the Law's curse is not a license for antinomianism but an empowerment to live righteously through love, serving as the ultimate expression of faith and the Spirit's work within believers, as further elaborated in [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete, to cram, level up, furnish, satisfy, execute, finish, verify." In this context, _plēróō_ does not imply abolition or destruction of the Law, but rather its completion, bringing it to its full measure, ultimate purpose, or true meaning. Love is presented as the comprehensive reality that fills up the Law's requirements and brings its ethical demands to their intended culmination. It suggests that love is the means by which the Law's true spirit is perfectly embodied and its moral objectives are achieved.
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** From G25, meaning "to love (in a social or moral sense)." This refers to _agape_ love, which is distinct from other Greek words for love (like _phileo_ or _eros_). _Agape_ is a selfless, volitional, and often sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of the other, irrespective of their merit or the recipient's response. It is a divine love, characteristic of God Himself, and the kind of love commanded of believers. This emphasizes that the fulfillment of the Law is not a mere sentimental affection but a deliberate, active benevolence towards others.
* **neighbour (Greek, _plēsíon'_):** From G4139, meaning "close by; a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend)." This term broadly refers to anyone near us, encompassing all humanity, not just those within one's immediate community or ethnic group. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan ([Luke 10:29-37](/luke/10-29-37 "Luke 10:29-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan")) powerfully expands the definition of "neighbor" to include even those traditionally considered enemies or outsiders. Therefore, loving one's neighbor implies extending _agape_ to all people, without prejudice or limitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all the law is fulfilled in one word":** This opening clause presents a radical theological claim. Paul asserts that the vast and complex Mosaic Law, with its hundreds of commands, is not to be discarded but rather finds its ultimate completion and comprehensive summary in a single principle. The Greek verb "fulfilled" (G4137, _plēróō_) signifies that love fills up the Law, bringing it to its intended purpose and full meaning, rather than nullifying it. It implies that love is the interpretive key and the practical outworking of the Law's ethical demands.
* **"even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself":** This second clause identifies the "one word" that fulfills the entire Law. Paul directly quotes from [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"), highlighting the continuity between Old Testament ethics and New Testament living. The phrase "as thyself" is crucial; it sets the standard for loving others, implying a genuine care and concern for their well-being that mirrors one's natural self-preservation and desire for good. This selfless _agape_ love for others inherently prevents actions forbidden by the Law (e.g., murder, theft, adultery) and actively promotes their welfare.

#### Literary Devices
Galatians 5:14 employs several potent literary devices. The primary device is **Summary**, where Paul distills the vast body of the Mosaic Law into a single, concise principle. This act of summation highlights the essence of the Law's ethical demands, making it accessible and actionable for believers. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Quotation**, directly citing [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor"). This quotation serves to ground Paul's New Covenant teaching in Old Testament revelation, demonstrating continuity and proving that the principle of love is not a new invention but an ancient, foundational truth reaffirmed and elevated by Christ. Finally, the phrase "in one word" can be seen as a form of **Synecdoche**, where a part ("one word") represents the whole (the comprehensive principle of love that encapsulates the Law's relational commands). This emphasizes the profound simplicity and yet profound depth of love as the ultimate fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 5:14 profoundly reorients the believer's relationship with God's commands, shifting from external legalistic adherence to an internal, Spirit-empowered motivation of love. It underscores that the essence of God's character (who is love, as seen in [1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love")) is to be reflected in the believer's conduct. This principle harmonizes the Law's moral demands with the freedom found in Christ, demonstrating that genuine liberty does not lead to lawlessness but to a higher form of righteousness, one driven by affection and concern for others rather than fear of punishment or desire for merit. It reveals that Christian ethics are not a list of prohibitions but a positive, active pursuit of the good of the "neighbor," thereby naturally fulfilling the spirit and letter of the Law's relational precepts.

* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")
* [James 2:8](/james/2-8 "James 2:8 - The Royal Law")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 5:14 calls believers to a radical re-evaluation of their spiritual priorities and daily conduct. It challenges us to move beyond a performance-based, rule-keeping mentality to embrace a life characterized by genuine, selfless love for others. If "all the law is fulfilled in one word," then our primary focus should be on cultivating and expressing _agape_ love in every interaction. This means actively seeking the well-being of our family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers and those who might be difficult to love. It demands that we consider how our words, actions, and attitudes impact others, striving always to build up, encourage, and serve, rather than to harm, diminish, or exploit. Living out this verse means allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, enabling us to spontaneously fulfill God's moral will through the overflow of His love within us, making love the distinguishing mark of our Christian walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to focus on external rules rather than internal motivation of love?**
* **How does my daily interaction with my "neighbor" (anyone I encounter) reflect or contradict the command to love them as myself?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to intentionally demonstrate selfless love to someone, particularly someone I find challenging to love?**

### FAQ

**Does Galatians 5:14 mean the Mosaic Law is abolished or no longer relevant for Christians?**

Answer: No, Galatians 5:14 does not teach that the Mosaic Law is abolished. The Greek word translated "fulfilled" (G4137, _plēróō_) means to "fill up," "complete," or "bring to its intended purpose." Paul is arguing that the Law's ethical and moral requirements find their ultimate and comprehensive expression in the single command to love. For believers, the Law is not a means of salvation or justification, but its moral principles remain relevant, now fulfilled and embodied through Spirit-empowered love. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"), where He states He came "not to abolish the Law... but to fulfill it."

**How can "love your neighbor as yourself" fulfill *all* the law, including commands not directly related to interpersonal relationships?**

Answer: While the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" ([Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor")) primarily addresses the second table of the Ten Commandments (concerning relationships with others), Paul and Jesus both teach that this command, along with loving God, encapsulates the entire spirit and purpose of the Law. If one truly loves their neighbor, they will not steal, murder, lie, or covet. Furthermore, genuine love for God (the first greatest commandment, [Matthew 22:37-38](/matthew/22-37-38 "Matthew 22:37-38 - The Greatest Commandment")) naturally leads to obedience to His commands. Therefore, love serves as the ultimate interpretive key and motivating force that encompasses the entire moral scope of the Law, bringing it to its intended completion in the believer's life.

**What kind of "love" is Paul referring to in this verse? Is it just a feeling?**

Answer: Paul is referring to _agape_ love (G25, _agapáō_), which is far more than a mere feeling or emotion. _Agape_ is a selfless, sacrificial, and volitional love that seeks the highest good of the other, regardless of their worthiness or the personal cost. It is a love that God Himself demonstrates ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")) and which He empowers believers to express through the Holy Spirit ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")). This love is active, demonstrated through deeds, and is the opposite of selfish indulgence, as Paul explains in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Love Chapter"). It is a principled, benevolent concern for others that manifests in concrete actions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 5:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the living embodiment of the Law perfectly fulfilled through love. Jesus not only taught the supremacy of love, identifying "love your neighbor as yourself" as the second greatest commandment ([Matthew 22:39](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - The Second Great Commandment")), but He lived it out flawlessly. His entire life, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, was the supreme act of _agape_ love, demonstrating what it truly means to love one's neighbor, even one's enemies, "as oneself" and beyond. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), and He did so by perfectly embodying its righteous demands through His perfect love for God and humanity. Moreover, Christ gives His followers a "new commandment" to love one another as He has loved them ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - A New Commandment")), thereby empowering believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to live out the very love that fulfills the Law, making Him the source and standard of all true Christian love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:12

¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Leviticus 19:18

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Mark 12:31

And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Matthew 22:39

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:40

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.