READING TIME: 1 MINUTE
March 25, 2020
Is the crucifixion of the flesh in Galatians 5:24 true of all Christians?
Gal 5:24: “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (NASB).
Many say this passage affirms that all Christians have crucified the flesh. This is, of course, true. However, the event referred to is not self-crucifixion of the flesh by the believer but, the co-crucifixion of the believer with Christ at the point of saving faith. There is nothing here about a believer’s determination to subdue the flesh as a part of the saving transaction. This verse simply refers to the positional crucifixion of the flesh mentioned in Galatians 2:20 and Romans 6:1-11.
Galatians 6:14 refers to a positional crucifixion of the world to Paul. That is, it is dead to him and he is dead to it. Furthermore, Galatians 5:24 refers to the crucifixion of the flesh, not a daily struggle with it.
Since we have been co-crucified with Christ when we placed our faith in Him, it is inconsistent for us to return to the flesh. And because of what happened to us in a positional sense, we need to continually crucify the flesh by choosing to yield to the Spirit (vv.16, 18, 25; Rom 8:13; Col 3:5). Indeed, what is true of all believers in their position is not necessarily true of all in their experience and daily walk. Believers should indeed live in light of their position. Yet as the next two verses make clear, they often do not.
Sources Used
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Notes on Galatians.” 2020 Edition. < https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/galatians/galatians.htm>.
Dillow, Joseph. Final Destiny: The Future Reign of The Servant Kings: Fourth Revised Edition. Grace Theology Press, chapter 27.
Wilkin, Robert N. “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians.” The Grace New Testament Commentary. Ed. Robert N. Wilkin. Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010. 852.