Freedom of the Christian

1For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,a then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.b 2Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.a 5For we eagerly awaita through the Spirit, by faith, the hopeb of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faitha working through love.b

7You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?a a 8This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.a 9A little leavenA leavens the whole batch of dough. 10I 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.a 11Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the crossa has been abolished. 12I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

13For you were calleda to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunityA for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14For the whole law is fulfilleda in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.b c 15But if you bite and devoura one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

16I say, then, walk by the Spirita and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh desiresa 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.b 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are obvious:A sexual immorality,a moral impurity,b promiscuity,c 20idolatry,a sorcery,b hatreds,c strife,d jealousy,e outbursts of anger,f selfish ambitions,g dissensions,h factions,i 21envy,a a drunkenness, carousing,b 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.c

22But the fruit of the Spirita is love,b joy,c peace, patience,d kindness,e goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness,a and self-control.b The law is not against such things.A 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesusa have crucified the fleshb with its passions and desires.c 25If we livea by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.a