⁴ This matter arose because some false believers^(A) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on^(B) the freedom^(C) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.

⁴ For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about^[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you.^(A) They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.^(B)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

¹² As for those agitators,^(A) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(B) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(C) rather, serve one another^(D) humbly in love.

⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(A)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[a]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(B) by them all over again?^{(C) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^(D)

³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^(B)

²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(A) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(B) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^(C)

¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(A) deceitful^(B) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^(C)

On Denying the Incarnation

4 Dear friends,^(A) do not believe every spirit,^(B) but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.^(C)