This verse is almost universally regarded as a summary of Paul’s argument in the whole chapter. It reinforces verse 16, where Paul has asserted that those who are led by the Spirit do not satisfy the desires of the human nature. Here Paul is asserting that if they are led by the Spirit, they are not subject to the Law.

The expression the Spirit leads you (literally, “you are being led by the Spirit”) is to be taken as more or less equivalent to “walk by the Spirit” in verse 16. Actually, the two expressions come out almost the same in Good News Translation and other translations (Phillips “live your whole life in the spirit … follow the leading of the Spirit”; New American Bible “live in accord with the spirit … guided by the spirit”; New English Bible “guided by the Spirit … led by the Spirit”). The tense of the verb suggests continuing action, which makes it possible to come out with a translation such as “if you continue to be led by the Spirit.” One may also translate “if you do what the Spirit tells you to do,” or “if you obey what the Spirit of God says you should do.”

You are not subject to the Law is literally “you are not under law.” “Law” here is taken by the majority of scholars to refer to the Jewish Law. However, since the noun does not have an article, some scholars understand it as referring to any law, whether Jewish or Gentile. This latter position is reflected in New English Bible (“you are not under law”) and Jerusalem Bible (“no law can touch you”).

Not subject to the Law is “not being a slave to the law,” that is, not following the law’s precepts in order to win God’s approval.

One may also render you are not subject to the Law as “you are not compelled to do all that the laws say,” or “it is not necessary for you to be obedient to all the laws.” The relation between the person and the Law may, however, be reversed in some instances, and one may translate “then the laws do not command you,” or “… do not have authority over you.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .