The Context of Paul's Teaching on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

The opening words of verse 16, “but this I say,” signals that what Paul is about to say regarding the Spirit and the flesh is instruction aimed at a specific problem in the Galatian church. Looking back to verse 15, Paul exposes a situation of conflict in the congregation which was tearing the church apart. Congregational conflict was illustrative of the flesh at work and to counter the devastating consequences of strife generated by the flesh Paul proposes the way of walking in the Spirit