Galatians 5

1 # Jn 8.32; Acts 15.10 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The Nature of Christian Freedom

2Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that, if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. 4#Heb 12.15; 2 Pet 3.17You who want to be reckoned as righteous#5.4 Or justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5#Rom 8.23, 24; 2 Tim 4.8For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6#1 Cor 7.19; Jas 2.18For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working#5.6 Or made effective through love.

7 # 1 Cor 9.24; Gal 3.1 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10#2 Cor 2.3; Gal 1.7I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11But my brothers and sisters, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

13 # 1 Cor 8.9; 9.19; 1 Pet 2.16 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,#5.13 Gk the flesh but through love become enslaved to one another. 14#Lev 19.18; Mt 7.12; 22.39; Rom 13.8For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh

16 # vv 24, 25 ; Rom 8.4; Eph 2.3Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17#Rom 7.15–23For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18#Rom 6.14But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19#Eph 5.3; Col 3.5Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21#1 Cor 6.9envy,#5.21 Other ancient authorities add murder drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit

22 # 1 Cor 13.7; Eph 5.9; Col 3.12–15 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24#Rom 6.6And those who belong to Christ#5.24 Other ancient authorities read Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

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