³ so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.

³ And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.^[a]

²⁰ When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

⁶ For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Freedom in Christ

5 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

² Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses.

⁸ For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.

¹⁹ For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.

⁴⁰ Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

³⁷ Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.

²⁰ Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.