Freedom in Christ

¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

² Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

⁵ But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

⁷ You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? ⁸ Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

¹¹ Now, brothers, if I am still^* preaching^* circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense^* of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

¹³ For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. ¹⁴ The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor^* as yourself.”¹⁵ But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Walking by the Spirit

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify^* the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other,^* so that^* you do not do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;^{* 20} idolatry and sorcery; hatred,^* discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, 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, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.