Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. New Living Translation But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. English Standard Version But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Berean Standard Bible But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Berean Literal Bible But if you bite and devour one another, take heed, lest you might be consumed by one another. King James Bible But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. New King James Version But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! New American Standard Bible But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. NASB 1995 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. NASB 1977 But if you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another. Legacy Standard Bible But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. Amplified Bible But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another. Christian Standard Bible But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Holman Christian Standard Bible But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. American Standard Version But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Contemporary English Version But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves. English Revised Version But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don't destroy each other. Good News Translation But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. International Standard Version But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not destroyed by each other. Majority Standard Bible But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. NET Bible However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. New Heart English Bible But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you do not consume one another. Webster's Bible Translation But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one by another. Weymouth New Testament But if you are perpetually snarling and snapping at one another, beware lest you are destroyed by one another. World English Bible But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand if you bite and devour one another, see that you may not be consumed by one another. Berean Literal Bible But if you bite and devour one another, take heed, lest you might be consumed by one another. Young's Literal Translation and if one another ye do bite and devour, see -- that ye may not by one another be consumed. Smith's Literal Translation And if ye bite and devour one another, see ye that ye be not laid waste by one another. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if you bite and devour one another; take heed you be not consumed one of another. Catholic Public Domain Version But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not consumed by one another! New American Bible But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. New Revised Standard Version If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if you harm and plunder one another, take heed lest you be consumed one by another. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut if you bite and devour one another, take heed lest you be utterly destroyed by one another. Godbey New Testament But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you may not be consumed one of another. Haweis New Testament But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed by one another. Mace New Testament but if you bite and tear one another, take heed that you be not consumed by one another. Weymouth New Testament But if you are perpetually snarling and snapping at one another, beware lest you are destroyed by one another. Worrell New Testament But, if ye bite and devour one another, beware, lest ye be consumed by one another. Worsley New Testament But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not destroyed by one another. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Freedom in Christ…14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. 16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.… Cross References James 4:1-2 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Romans 13:13-14 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. / Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. Colossians 3:8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Titus 3:2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. Proverbs 17:14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. Proverbs 26:21 Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ... Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. 1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Romans 14:19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Treasury of Scripture But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another. Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 2 Samuel 2:26,27 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? … Isaiah 9:20,21 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: … Jump to Previous Beware Bite Biting Care Careful Cause Consume Consumed Destroyed Destruction Devour Devouring Fighting Heed Perpetually Snarling WatchJump to Next Beware Bite Biting Care Careful Cause Consume Consumed Destroyed Destruction Devour Devouring Fighting Heed Perpetually Snarling WatchGalatians 5 1. He wills them to stand in their liberty,3. and not to observe circumcision; 13. but rather love, which is the sum of the law. 19. He lists the works of the flesh, 22. and the fruits of the Spirit, 25. and exhorts to walk in the Spirit. But if you keep on biting and devouring one another This phrase uses vivid imagery to describe destructive behavior within the Christian community. The terms "biting" and "devouring" suggest hostility and conflict, akin to wild animals attacking each other. This reflects the internal strife and division that can occur when believers act out of selfishness or pride. In the context of Galatians, Paul addresses the tension between Jewish and Gentile Christians regarding the observance of the Law. The metaphor warns against the dangers of legalism and the resulting discord. This imagery is reminiscent of the destructive nature of sin as seen in James 3:14-16, where envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder. watch out or you will be consumed by one another Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in the region of Galatia. Paul is concerned with the behavior and spiritual health of the believers there. 2. Galatian Churches The recipients of the letter, located in the region of Galatia. These churches were dealing with internal conflicts and divisions, partly due to false teachings. 3. Judaizers A group influencing the Galatian churches, advocating for adherence to Jewish law, which was causing division and strife among the believers. Teaching Points Guard Against DivisionThe imagery of "biting and devouring" suggests a destructive cycle of conflict. Believers must be vigilant against behaviors and attitudes that lead to division within the church. Pursue Unity and Peace In contrast to destructive behavior, Christians are called to pursue peace and unity, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions with one another. The Danger of Unchecked Conflict Paul warns that unchecked conflict can lead to mutual destruction. It is crucial for believers to address issues promptly and biblically to prevent escalation. The Role of the Holy Spirit The broader context of Galatians 5 emphasizes living by the Spirit. Believers should rely on the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which counters the fleshly tendencies to "bite and devour." Reflect Christ's Love As followers of Christ, believers are called to reflect His love and grace in their relationships, avoiding behaviors that harm the body of Christ.Verse 15. - But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another (εἰ δὲ ἀλλήλους δάκνετε καὶ κατεσθίετε βλέπετε μὴ ὑπὸ ἀλλήλων ἀναλωθῆτε); but if ye be biting and eating up one another, take heed that ye be not one of another utterly destroyed. "Biting" and "eating up" are images drawn from carnivorous animals furiously fighting with each other. The verb κατεσθίεν, eat up, which in 2 Corinthians 11:20 and Matthew 23:14 is applied to the eating up of a neighbour's goods, is here employed in its more literal sense, in order to furnish a figure describing that intense desire to vex and damage an antagonist, which but too often disgraces the so-called religious controversialist or partisan. The verb ἀναλίσκω, utterly destroy, occurs besides only in Luke 9:54 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8, of destruction by fire or lightning; so the compound κατανάλισκον, Hebrews 12:29. It points to another sphere of hurt than that referred to in the two foregoing verbs; for while these latter describe the eager endeavour to sting and "run down" a theological opponent, the former describes the utter laying waste of the inward life of piety. The orthodox opinion may survive, and perhaps be even made clearer and more accurate; but the kernel of filial love and joy in God, and of love towards our brethren, may by the φιλονεικία, the bitter antagonism, of controversy have got to be altogether eaten out. A Christian disciple who has ceased to love, Christ teaches us, is salt which has lost its savour - utterly refuse and hopeless of recovery (Mark 9:50). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. if εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. you keep on biting δάκνετε (daknete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1143: To bite; hence: I backbite, harm seriously. A prolonged form of a primary root; to bite, i.e. thwart. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. devouring κατεσθίετε (katesthiete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2719: To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour. each other, ἀλλήλους (allēlous) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. watch out, βλέπετε (blepete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. [or] μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. you will be consumed ἀναλωθῆτε (analōthēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 355: From ana and a form of the alternate of haireomai; properly, to use up, i.e. Destroy. by ὑπ’ (hyp’) Preposition Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). each other. ἀλλήλων (allēlōn) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. Links Galatians 5:15 NIVGalatians 5:15 NLT Galatians 5:15 ESV Galatians 5:15 NASB Galatians 5:15 KJV Galatians 5:15 BibleApps.com Galatians 5:15 Biblia Paralela Galatians 5:15 Chinese Bible Galatians 5:15 French Bible Galatians 5:15 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one (Gal. Ga) |
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