Galatians 5:5

KJV

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we {G2249} through the Spirit {G4151} wait for {G553} the hope {G1680} of righteousness {G1343} by {G1537} faith {G4102}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For it is by the power of the Spirit, who works in us because we trust and are faithful, that we confidently expect our hope of attaining righteousness to be fulfilled.

Berean Standard Bible

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.

American Standard Version

For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 5:5 succinctly encapsulates the essence of Christian hope and the means by which it is realized. Paul declares that believers, empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit, eagerly await the full manifestation of the righteousness that is theirs by faith in Christ. This verse stands as a powerful counterpoint to legalism, emphasizing that salvation and spiritual progress are not achieved through adherence to the Law but are gracious gifts received through trust in God, culminating in an assured future hope.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 5:5 is strategically positioned within Paul's impassioned defense of Christian liberty and justification by faith, following a robust theological argument against the Judaizers. The preceding verses (Galatians 5:1-4) strongly warn against returning to the bondage of the Law, particularly circumcision, as a means of salvation or sanctification. Paul asserts that Christ is of no benefit to those who seek justification through the Law, declaring them "fallen from grace." Verse 5 then presents the true path to righteousness and hope, contrasting it sharply with the legalistic alternative. It sets the stage for the practical exhortations that follow concerning walking in the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating that genuine Christian living flows from this Spirit-empowered, faith-based hope, not from legalistic striving.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia, composed primarily of Gentile converts, were being heavily influenced by Jewish Christians, known as Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile believers must undergo circumcision and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved and fully righteous before God. This teaching directly contradicted the gospel of grace that Paul had preached. The cultural pressure to conform to Jewish customs was immense, as it offered a tangible, works-based path to perceived righteousness. Paul's letter vigorously refutes this syncretism, asserting that such practices undermine the sufficiency of Christ's work. His emphasis on "through the Spirit" and "by faith" directly addresses the Galatians' struggle, offering a liberating alternative to the burdensome legalism promoted by their opponents, a legalism that would have been culturally familiar to many Jews and proselytes of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes throughout Galatians and Pauline theology. It underscores **Justification by Faith**, highlighting that our righteous standing before God is not earned but received as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ, a truth Paul champions from [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith") onwards. The phrase "through the Spirit" emphasizes the **Indispensable Role of the Holy Spirit** in the believer's life, not only for initial conversion but also for ongoing sanctification and the apprehension of future hope, a theme further developed in [Galatians 5:16-25](/galatians/5-16-25 "Galatians 5:16-25 - Walking in the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit"). Finally, the "hope of righteousness" points to **Eschatological Hope**, a confident and patient expectation of the full and final realization of God's saving work—the ultimate glorification and vindication of believers, where their justified status will be perfectly consummated, as also seen in [Romans 8:24-25](/romans/8-24-25 "Romans 8:24-25 - Hope and Patient Endurance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wait for (Greek, _apekdéchomai'_):** From G553, this verb means "to expect fully" or "to look for." It conveys an earnest, eager, and patient expectation, not a passive waiting. It implies a confident anticipation of something that is certain to come, contrasting sharply with the anxious striving of those who rely on works of the Law. This "waiting" is active and Spirit-empowered, not a resigned passivity.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** From G1343, this term refers to "equity (of character or act)" and specifically, in a Christian context, "justification." In Galatians, it primarily denotes the imputed righteousness of God, a right standing before God that is granted to the believer through faith, not achieved by human effort. However, the "hope of righteousness" also carries an eschatological dimension, pointing to the full and final manifestation of this righteous status in glorification.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** From G4102, this word signifies "persuasion," "credence," "moral conviction (of religious truth)," and especially "reliance upon Christ for salvation." It is the means by which believers apprehend the hope of righteousness. This "faith" is not merely intellectual assent but a profound trust and commitment to God and His saving work in Christ, standing in direct opposition to reliance on works of the Law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we":** The particle "For" (G1063, _gár_) introduces a reason or explanation, linking this verse to the preceding declaration of freedom from the Law. The pronoun "we" (G2249, _hēmeîs_) is emphatic, distinguishing true believers—those who trust in Christ alone—from the legalists who seek justification through works. It identifies Paul and all genuine Christians as those who embrace this Spirit-led, faith-based hope.
* **"through the Spirit":** This phrase highlights the indispensable agency of the Holy Spirit (G4151, _pneûma_). The Spirit is not merely an aid but the very medium or power by which believers are enabled to live in this new reality of grace, to anticipate their future hope, and to patiently endure. It underscores that the Christian life, from justification to glorification, is fundamentally a spiritual work, not a human achievement.
* **"wait for the hope of righteousness":** This clause describes the object of the believer's earnest expectation. The "hope" (G1680, _elpís_) here is not a mere wish but a confident assurance of future reality. The "hope of righteousness" refers to the full and final consummation of the believer's justified status, encompassing both the present imputation of righteousness and its future perfect manifestation in glorification. It is the assured expectation of being fully conformed to Christ's righteousness.
* **"by faith":** This concluding phrase specifies the sole means by which this hope and righteousness are appropriated. The preposition "by" (G1537, _ek_) denotes origin or source, emphasizing that faith is the originating principle or the instrument through which this divine gift is received. It is not "by works of the law" but "by faith" that believers stand righteous before God and confidently await their future glorification, reinforcing the core message of justification by grace through faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in Galatians 5:5 to underscore his theological argument. Most notably, there is **Contrast**, as this verse stands in stark opposition to the legalistic striving described in the preceding verses (Galatians 5:2-4). While those who rely on the Law "fall from grace," true believers "through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." This juxtaposition highlights the two mutually exclusive paths to righteousness. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Theological Aphorism**, a concise and memorable statement encapsulating a profound theological truth. Its brevity and clarity make it a powerful summary of Pauline soteriology, emphasizing the Spirit's role, the nature of Christian hope, and the centrality of faith in the believer's journey.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 5:5 stands as a cornerstone of Pauline theology, seamlessly weaving together the doctrines of justification, sanctification, and eschatology. It affirms that the righteousness believers receive by faith is not merely a legal declaration but also a dynamic, Spirit-empowered reality that propels them toward a future, fully realized hope. This "hope of righteousness" encompasses both the present imputation of Christ's righteousness and the future glorification where believers will be perfectly conformed to His image. It liberates believers from the burden of earning God's favor through works, rooting their assurance in God's gracious provision through Christ and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. This patient waiting is not passive but an active, Spirit-led endurance, reflecting a confident assurance in God's faithfulness to complete His saving work.

* [Romans 5:1-5](/romans/5-1-5 "Romans 5:1-5 - Justification, Peace, and Hope")
* [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God by Faith")
* [Titus 2:11-13](/titus/2-11-13 "Titus 2:11-13 - Grace, Righteousness, and Blessed Hope")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 5:5 offers profound liberation and encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that our standing before God, our spiritual progress, and our future hope are entirely dependent on God's grace and our faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, not on our ability to perfectly keep rules or perform religious rituals. This truth frees us from the exhausting treadmill of legalism and self-effort, allowing us to live with assurance, peace, and joy. It calls us to actively rely on the Spirit's guidance and power in our daily lives, patiently awaiting the full realization of God's promises, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. Our focus should be on trusting God's transformative work in us, rather than on our own flawed performance, fostering a life of gratitude and genuine spiritual freedom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding righteousness as a gift, rather than an achievement, impact your daily walk with God and your sense of assurance?**
* **In what ways do you actively "wait for the hope of righteousness" through the Spirit in your life, and what does this patient expectation look like practically?**
* **How does this verse liberate you from performance-based religion, and how can you more fully embrace the freedom found in living by faith through the Spirit?**

### FAQ

**What is the "hope of righteousness" mentioned in Galatians 5:5?**

Answer: The "hope of righteousness" refers to the confident, assured expectation of the full and final manifestation of God's righteousness in the believer's life and in the new creation. It has both a present and future dimension. Presently, it speaks to the righteousness that God imputes to believers through faith in Christ, declaring them righteous in His sight (justification). In the future, it points to the eschatological culmination of God's saving work, where believers will be fully glorified and perfectly conformed to Christ's righteousness, experiencing complete moral and spiritual perfection in the presence of God. This hope is not a wishful thinking but a certain reality, guaranteed by the Holy Spirit and received by faith, as seen in passages like [Romans 8:23-25](/romans/8-23-25 "Romans 8:23-25 - Groaning, Hope, and the Spirit"). It stands in contrast to any righteousness achieved through human effort or adherence to the Law, which Paul vehemently argues against throughout Galatians.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 5:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Jesus Christ. He is not merely the object of our faith, but the very embodiment and source of the righteousness we eagerly await. Christ Himself *is* our righteousness (as declared in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")), and it is through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection that God's righteousness is revealed and made available to us. Our "hope of righteousness" is therefore inextricably linked to Christ's finished work and His promised return. The Holy Spirit, through whom we "wait," is the Spirit of Christ, indwelling believers and empowering them to live in the reality of their justified status, sanctifying them as they anticipate the full realization of their glorification in Him. Thus, the entire process—from the initial imputation of righteousness to its final consummation—is centered on Christ, who makes us righteous and in whom our hope is securely anchored, as [Colossians 1:27](/colossians/1-27 "Colossians 1:27 - Christ in You, the Hope of Glory") beautifully states, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

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

Psalms 130:5

¶ I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Psalms 62:5

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him.

Romans 8:23

And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it].

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Philippians 3:9

¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: