Galatians 5

Walk by the Spirit

1  It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
2  Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.3  And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.4  You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.5  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
7  You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?8  This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.9  A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10  I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.11  But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

12  I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
13  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.14  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself .”

15  But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.19  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,20  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.26  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Galatians 6

Bear One Another's Burdens

1  Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.2  Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.3  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.4  But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

5  For each one will bear his own load.
6  The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.8  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

10  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
11  See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.12  Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.13  For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.14  But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.15  For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

16  And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17  From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
18  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Ephesians 1

The Blessings of Redemption

1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love5  He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,6  to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace8  which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight9  He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him10  with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him11  also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,12  to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.13  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14  who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
15  For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,16  do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.18  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,19  and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might20  which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.22  And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,23  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.