Galatians 5-6

Evangelical Heritage Version

Christ Set Us Free

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again. ² Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace.

⁵ Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters. ⁷ You were running well! Who cut in on you, so that you are no longer persuaded by the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from the one who calls you. ⁹ A little yeast works through the whole batch. ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will have no other opinion than this. But the one who is trying to disturb you will pay the penalty, whoever he is.

¹¹ Brothers,^[a] if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² If only those who are upsetting you would also cut themselves off!^[b]

¹³ After all, brothers, you were called to freedom. Only do not use your freedom as a starting point for your sinful flesh. Rather, serve one another through love. ¹⁴ In fact, the whole law is summed up in this one statement: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[c] 15} But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Flesh Opposes Spirit

¹⁶ What I am saying is this: Walk by the spirit,^[d] and you will not carry out what the sinful flesh desires. ¹⁷ For the sinful flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit what is contrary to the sinful flesh. In fact, these two continually oppose one another, so that you do not continue to do these things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the control of the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the sinful flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, complete lack of restraint, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders,^[e] drunkenness, orgies, and things similar to these. I warn you, just as I also warned you before, that those who continue to do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the spirit^[f] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if a person is caught in some trespass, you who are spiritual should restore such a person in a spirit of humility, carefully watching yourself so that you are not also tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill^[g] the law of Christ. ³ For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person test his own work, and then he will take pride in regard to himself and not his neighbor. ⁵ For each man will bear his own burden.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with his teacher.

⁷ Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. To be sure, whatever a man sows, he will also reap. ⁸ Indeed, the one who sows for his own sinful flesh will reap destruction from the sinful flesh. But the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit. ⁹ Let us not become weary of doing good, because at the appointed time we will reap, if we do not give up.^{[h] 10} So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.

What Matters: A New Creation, Not Circumcision

¹¹ See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. ¹² Those who want to look good in the flesh are the ones who are trying to compel you to be circumcised. Their only reason is so that they are not persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ As a matter of fact, those who are circumcised do not keep the law themselves. But they want to have you circumcised, so that they can boast about your flesh.

¹⁴ But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. ¹⁵ In fact, in Christ Jesus^[i] circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What matters is being a new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy on those who follow this rule, namely, on the Israel of God.

¹⁷ Finally, let no one cause me any trouble, because I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.