By: Robert Serreyn
Question? In Galatians 5:17 what does “so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” mean?
(Galatians 5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Answer:
The ISSUE with this verse comes from the MISTRANSLATION of the word CANNOT, This is WHY we do not make the claim as some teach(KJV ONLY, Hyper/Ultra/Pauline Dispensationalist ect) that the King James Version Bible is without error and should not be corrected.
The KJV Bible is by far the BEST and the most ACCURATE and SUPERIOR translation we have in the english language, but it is NOT without its’ translation issues, keep in mind it is an translation, a copy, of a copy, of a copy, ect, ect from the 5000+ manuscripts call the Textus Receptus or the Masoretic Text which are from the line of the Originals GIVEN by divine inspiration from God himself by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:20,21) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The word CANNOT in the Greek is OUCH and it carries the meaning “IN THE ABSOLUTE SENSE” as it is correctly translated in Galatians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:50.
(Galatians 3:17) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(1 Corinthians 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
The word “Cannot” SHOULD HAVE been translated as the Greek word ME which carries the meaning “NOT IN THE ABSOLUTE SENSE” as SHOULD NOT, this is the REASON FOR and the DIFFERENCE in proper bible study and interpretation.
To take the stand that the KJV should not be corrected is to OPEN THE DOOR to false doctrine and teaching, by making the correction from Cannot to Should Not puts this verse INTO agreement with Romans 7:15-19, Ephesians 2:10 and others that speak of our works that SHOULD accompany our testimony.
(Romans 7:15-19) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(Ephesians 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins. the MOMENT you believe(TRUST in Christ ALONE) you receive eternal life.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH