Galatians 5
Freedom of the Christian
1For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.23Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.45Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law.67You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.89For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.1011For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.1213You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?1415This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.1617A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.1819I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.2021Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.2223I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!24
25For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.2627For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.2829But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.30
The Spirit versus the Flesh
31I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.3233For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.3435But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.3637Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,3839idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,4041envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.42
43But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,4445gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.4647Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.4849If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.5051Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.52