In the previous section (vs. 13) Paul warns about the dangers of living according to the flesh. The “flesh” is a way to describe “that orientation toward this world that exerts a continuing influence on believers and must be resisted.”1 In this section Paul expands on his warning by including what is typically known as a vice list or a list of sins associated with life outside of Christ. But central to the section is the Holy Spirit whose indwelling presence in the believer equips them to resist the flesh and live in a way that pleases God.

The Spirit whom Paul now celebrates as the power of the new life is nothing other than that Spirit whom the prophets predicted would take possession of God’s people in the eschatological age, providing for that wholehearted obedience to the Lord that the law could not secure.2

1 Douglas Moo, Galatians (BECNT) (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013) p. 351
2 Ibid, 351