John Calvin Commentary Galatians 5:23

"meekness, self-control; against such there is no law." — Galatians 5:23 (ASV)

Against such there is no law. Some understand these words as meaning simply that the law is not directed against good works, “from evil manners have sprung good laws.” But Paul’s real meaning is deeper and less obvious; namely, that where the Spirit reigns, the law no longer has any dominion.

By molding our hearts to his own righteousness, the Lord delivers us from the severity of the law, so that our communion with himself is not regulated by its covenant, nor our consciences bound by its sentence of condemnation. Yet the law continues to teach and exhort, and thus performs its own office; but our subjection to it is withdrawn by the Spirit of adoption.

He thus ridicules the false apostles, who, while they enforced subjection to the law, were not less eager to release themselves from its yoke. The only way, he tells us, in which this is accomplished is when the Spirit of God obtains dominion, from which we are led to conclude that they had no proper regard for spiritual righteousness.