Galatians 5

Live in the Freedom That Christ Gives You

1 Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.2 I, Paul, can guarantee that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.3 Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses’ Teachings demand.4 Those of you who try to earn God’s approval by obeying his laws have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen out of God’s favor.t5 However, in our spiritual nature, faith causes us to wait eagerly for the confidence that comes with God’s approval.

6 As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.
7 You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth?8 The arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you.9 A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough.10 The Lord gives me confidence that you will not disagree with this. However, the one who is confusing you will suffer God’s judgment regardless of who he is.11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the cross wouldn’t be offensive anymore.

12 I wish those troublemakers would castrate themselves.
13 You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love.14 All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

15 But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other.
16 Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants.17 What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do.

18 If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses’ laws.
19 Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity,20 idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions,

21 envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do things like that will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that.24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires.25 If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature.

26 We can’t allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.

Galatians 5

1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace.5 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.7 Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?8 This persuasion came not of him that calleth you.9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.10 I have confidence to you-ward in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? then hath the stumbling-block of the cross been done away.12 I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.13 For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.18 But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.24 And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.25 If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.26 Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.