13 For you were called to (A)freedom, brothers and sisters; (B)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but (C)serve one another through love. 14 For (D)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “(E)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you (F)bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

16 But I say, (G)walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out (H)the desire of the flesh. 17 For (I)the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, (J)in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are (K)led by the Spirit, (L)you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: (M)sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, (N)witchcraft, hostilities, (O)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, (P)selfish ambition, dissensions, (Q)factions, 21 envy, (R)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not (S)inherit the kingdom of God.

Read full chapter

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.(A) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a];(B) rather, serve one another(C) humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b](D) 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit,(E) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.(F) 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.(G) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want.(H) 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,(I) you are not under the law.(J)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(K) impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(L) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
  2. Galatians 5:14 Lev. 19:18
  3. Galatians 5:17 Or you do not do what