Galatians 5:24

KJV

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that are {G3588} Christ's {G5547} have crucified {G4717} the flesh {G4561} with {G4862} the affections {G3804} and {G2532} lusts {G1939}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, those who belong to the Messiah Yeshua have put their old nature to death on the stake, along with its passions and desires.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

American Standard Version

And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 5:24 articulates a foundational truth of Christian identity: those who belong to Christ have decisively put to death their sinful nature, along with its inherent desires and passions. This verse encapsulates the radical break from a life dominated by the "flesh" (sinful human nature) that occurs when one is united with Christ, establishing the basis for a life lived in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 5:24 is situated within Paul's extensive argument contrasting life under the Mosaic Law with life in the Spirit. Following his theological exposition on justification by faith in earlier chapters, Paul shifts to practical Christian living in chapter 5. He first warns against returning to legalism (Galatians 5:1-12) and then contrasts the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21), which include various sins, with the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), which are virtues like love, joy, and peace. Verse 24 serves as the theological bedrock explaining *how* believers are enabled to produce the fruit of the Spirit and resist the works of the flesh: by a decisive break with their old, sinful self. It is a declaration of the spiritual reality that undergirds the call to "walk in the Spirit" found in [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk in the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia, a region in Asia Minor, likely around 49-55 AD. The primary issue addressed in the letter was the influence of "Judaizers," who insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity must also observe Jewish laws, particularly circumcision, to be truly saved. This challenged the core gospel message of salvation by grace through faith alone. In this context, the "flesh" (σάρξ, _sarx_) in Galatians does not merely refer to physical desires but broadly to the unredeemed human nature, often expressed through self-reliance, legalism, or sinful indulgence, which stands in opposition to God's Spirit. The concept of "crucifixion" would have been a vivid and brutal image to Paul's audience, symbolizing a complete and agonizing death, underscoring the radical nature of the break with the old life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Galatians and Pauline theology. It reinforces the theme of **Radical Transformation** in Christ, emphasizing that conversion is not merely an intellectual assent but a profound reorientation of one's entire being. It highlights the **Decisive Break with Sin's Dominion**, asserting that believers are no longer enslaved to their sinful nature, a concept deeply explored in [Romans 6](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ"). Furthermore, it underscores the **Centrality of the Cross** not only for atonement but also for sanctification, as the believer's identification with Christ's death on the cross is the means by which the power of the flesh is broken. Finally, it sets the stage for the **Spirit-Empowered Life**, showing that the ability to "walk in the Spirit" (as encouraged in [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk in the Spirit")) flows from this fundamental spiritual reality of having crucified the flesh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Christ's (Greek, _Christós'_):** From χρίω (chrió), meaning "anointed." This term refers to the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. To be "Christ's" signifies belonging to Him, being His possession, and being identified with Him. It implies a transfer of allegiance and ownership from self or sin to the Anointed One, Jesus, forming the basis for the radical transformation described in the verse.
* **Crucified (Greek, _stauróō'_):** From σταυρός (stauros), meaning "cross." This verb literally means "to impale on the cross." Figuratively, as used here, it means "to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness." The aorist tense in Greek indicates a completed action, suggesting a definitive, once-for-all act of putting to death the power of the flesh. It's not a gradual process of self-improvement, but a decisive spiritual execution of the old self's dominion.
* **Flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** Probably from the base of σαρόω (saroó), meaning "to strip off." While it can refer to the physical body, in this theological context, it signifies human nature in its unredeemed state, with its frailties, passions, and inherent propensity toward sin, often hostile to God and His Spirit. It represents the principle of sin at work within humanity.
* **Lusts (Greek, _epithymía'_):** From ἐπιθυμέω (epithymeó), meaning "to long for." This term denotes a strong longing or craving, often for what is forbidden or evil. It refers to the specific desires and cravings that are manifestations of the sinful flesh, driving individuals toward sin and self-gratification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that are Christ's":** This opening clause establishes the identity of the subjects. It refers to genuine believers, those who have, through faith, entered into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. To be "Christ's" implies a deep, personal possession and allegiance, signifying a transfer of ownership from sin and self to the Lord, establishing a new identity and purpose. This new identity is the prerequisite and foundation for the radical action that follows.
* **"have crucified the flesh":** This is the central declaration of the verse. "The flesh" here refers to the sinful human nature, the unredeemed aspect of humanity that is prone to sin and hostile to God. The verb "have crucified" is in the aorist tense, indicating a completed action in the past, specifically at the point of conversion or union with Christ. It signifies a decisive, definitive, and irreversible spiritual act of putting to death the ruling power and dominion of the old, sinful self. It is not a continuous struggle to *perform* the crucifixion, but rather a declaration of a spiritual reality that *has already occurred*.
* **"with the affections and lusts":** This phrase specifies what is crucified *along with* the flesh. "Affections" (πάθη, _páthēma_) refers to strong emotions, passions, or impulses, which, in this context, are the unruly or sinful desires that stem from the flesh. "Lusts" (ἐπιθυμίαι, _epithymía_) denotes specific, often evil or forbidden, cravings. By crucifying the flesh, believers have effectively severed the power and influence of these internal drives and manifestations of sin that previously held them captive and led them away from God. This means the *power* of these desires is broken, though their *presence* may still be felt.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Galatians 5:24 is **Metaphor**. The phrase "have crucified the flesh" is a powerful and vivid metaphor. The "flesh" is not literally nailed to a cross; rather, the act of crucifixion, a brutal and agonizing form of execution, is used to represent the decisive, complete, and painful putting to death of the sinful nature and its power over the believer's life. This metaphor emphasizes the radical and definitive break with the old way of life. Additionally, there is an element of **Personification** in treating "the flesh" as an entity capable of being crucified, giving it a quasi-personal agency that must be overcome. The use of "crucified" also contains a degree of **Hyperbole**, as it exaggerates the decisive nature of the spiritual break to underscore its finality and severity, ensuring the audience understands the profound and irreversible nature of their commitment to Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 5:24 stands as a cornerstone in Pauline theology regarding sanctification and the Christian's new identity. It asserts that the believer's union with Christ in His death is not merely a legal declaration but a profound spiritual reality that breaks the dominion of sin. This verse teaches that the power of the flesh, with its inherent sinful desires, has been decisively dealt with at the point of conversion. While the presence of sinful desires may still be felt, their tyrannical rule has been overthrown. This truth empowers believers to live a life no longer enslaved to sin but free to walk in the Spirit, producing His fruit. It is a call to live out the implications of this spiritual reality daily, actively choosing to reckon oneself dead to sin and alive to God.

* [Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified")
* [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Members")
* [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Put Off the Old Man, Put On the New")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 5:24 presents a radical truth that demands a radical response in the daily life of a believer. It challenges us to live in alignment with the spiritual reality that has already occurred: our old, sinful self has been decisively put to death with Christ. This is not a call to self-effort or asceticism, but to a Spirit-empowered obedience that flows from our new identity. Practically, this means intentionally choosing to starve the desires of the flesh by refusing to indulge them, and instead, feeding the Spirit by immersing ourselves in God's Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship. It requires a conscious decision to yield to the Holy Spirit's guidance and power, allowing Him to produce His fruit in our lives. Understanding that the dominion of sin is broken frees us from the tyranny of guilt and empowers us to pursue righteousness, not out of obligation, but out of a transformed heart that desires to please God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you still feel the strong pull of "the flesh" (sinful nature)?**
* **How does understanding that your flesh has been "crucified" with Christ empower you to resist these pulls?**
* **What practical steps can you take daily to "walk in the Spirit" and live out the reality of this spiritual crucifixion?**
* **How does this verse challenge any tendency to rely on self-effort or legalism for spiritual growth?**

### FAQ

**Does "crucified the flesh" mean I will never struggle with sin again?**

Answer: No, "crucified the flesh" (Greek: _estaurōsan_) refers to a decisive, completed act that occurred when you became "Christ's." It means the *dominion* and *power* of the sinful nature over your life have been broken. You are no longer a slave to sin (as explained in [Romans 6:6-7](/romans/6-6-7 "Romans 6:6-7 - Dead to Sin, Free from Sin")). However, the *presence* of the flesh, or the old sinful desires, remains in this life. The Christian life is therefore an ongoing process of "walking in the Spirit" ([Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk in the Spirit")), actively choosing to live according to your new identity in Christ and resisting the remaining pulls of the flesh. It's a call to reckon yourself "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")).

**What is the difference between "affections" and "lusts" in this verse?**

Answer: While both terms refer to desires stemming from the sinful nature, they have slightly different nuances. "Affections" (Greek: _páthēma_) generally refers to strong emotions, passions, or impulses. In the New Testament, it often denotes unruly or sinful passions that can lead to sin (e.g., [Romans 1:26](/romans/1-26 "Romans 1:26 - Dishonorable Passions")). "Lusts" (Greek: _epithymía_) specifically denotes strong cravings or desires, which are frequently used in a negative sense to describe evil, forbidden, or covetous desires (e.g., [1 John 2:16](/1_john/2-16 "1 John 2:16 - Lust of the Flesh, Eyes, and Pride of Life")). So, "affections" might be the broader category of sinful impulses, while "lusts" are the more specific, often intense, evil cravings that are manifestations of those impulses. Both are crucified with the flesh, meaning their power to control the believer is broken.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 5:24 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. The believer's ability to "crucify the flesh" is not an act of self-improvement or human will, but a spiritual reality made possible by their union with Christ in His death and resurrection. When Jesus was "made sin for us" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")), He not only bore our guilt but also broke the power of sin's dominion over humanity. Our "old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified with Christ")). Therefore, the crucifixion of the flesh in the believer is a participation in Christ's own crucifixion, a spiritual identification with His death to sin. He is both the example and the power source; His sacrifice provides the atonement for our sins, and His resurrection life provides the dynamic power by which we can now "walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walk in Newness of Life")) and live free from the tyranny of our sinful nature, empowered by the Spirit He has given us ([Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Law of the Spirit of Life")).

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

Romans 6:6

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Galatians 5:16

[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.