Charles Ellicott Commentary Galatians 5:24

"And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof." — Galatians 5:24 (ASV)

But such things are just what the Christian would do. He will have nothing to make him act differently. He will not need to be taught peaceableness, goodness, or self-control, for the impulses which run counter to these are dead within him: they were killed at the moment when he gave himself up wholly to a crucified Saviour.

And.—Better, How, or But; introducing a summary conclusion from what has gone before, applying it to the Christian.

They that are Christ’s.—The reading of the oldest manuscripts is, they that are of Christ Jesus. The Messianic character of the Christian plan is put forward prominently: “they that belong to Jesus, the Messiah.”

Have crucified the flesh.—Strictly, crucified: namely, in their baptism. A full comment on this expression is found in Romans 6:2-14 (see the notes on that passage). The relationship into which the Christian is brought with Christ is such as to neutralise and deaden all the sensual impulses within him.

And inasmuch as the central point in that relationship is the crucifixion, and inasmuch, further, as crucifixion is death, the Christian is bound to make his Master’s death his own regarding sin. For these reasons, he is said not merely to “kill” but to “crucify” the flesh, with its evil appetites and passions.

Affections and lusts.—Passions and desires. “Affections” are passive—a susceptibility to evil impressions; “lusts” are active—a desire for that which is forbidden.