Galatians 5:1-6:10

Christian Standard Bible

Freedom of the Christian

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

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

¹³ For you were called^(L) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^[c] for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(M) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{[d](N) 15} But if you bite and devour^(O) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit^(P) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(Q) 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.^{(R) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[e] sexual immorality,^(S) moral impurity,^(T) promiscuity,^{(U) 20} idolatry,^(V) sorcery,^(W) hatreds,^(X) strife,^(Y) jealousy,^(Z) outbursts of anger,^(AA) selfish ambitions,^(AB) dissensions,^(AC) factions,^{(AD) 21} envy,^[f](AE) drunkenness, carousing,^(AF) 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.^(AG)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(AH) is love,^(AI) joy,^(AJ) peace, patience,^(AK) kindness,^(AL) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(AM) and self-control.^(AN) The law is not against such things.^{[g] 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(AO) have crucified the flesh^(AP) with its passions and desires.^{(AQ) 25} If we live^(AR) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(AS)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle^(AT) spirit,^[h](AU) watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.^{(AV) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(AW) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(AX) he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person examine his own work,^(AY) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share^(AZ) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(BA) will reap eternal life^(BB) from the Spirit. ⁹ Let us not get tired^(BC) of doing good,^(BD) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work^(BE) for the good^(BF) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(BG) of faith.^(BH)