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Christ Set Us Free

[a](A)It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, (B)stand firm and do not be subject again to a (C)yoke of slavery.

Behold I, (D)Paul, say to you that if you receive (E)circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I (F)testify again to every man who receives (G)circumcision, that he is under obligation to (H)keep the whole Law. You have been [b]severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have (I)fallen from grace! For we [c]through the Spirit, [d]by faith, are (J)eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in (K)Christ Jesus (L)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but (M)faith working through love.

You were (N)running well; who hindered you from [e]obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from (O)Him who calls you. (P)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 (Q)I have confidence [f]in you in the Lord that you (R)will adopt no other view. But the one who is (S)disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still (T)persecuted? Then (U)the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. 12 I wish that (V)those who are upsetting you would even [g](W)mutilate themselves.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 5:1 Some authorities prefer to join this sentence with 4:31 and render but with the freedom of the free woman Christ set us free
  2. Galatians 5:4 Lit abolished, cf. 5:11
  3. Galatians 5:5 Lit by
  4. Galatians 5:5 Lit out of
  5. Galatians 5:7 Or being persuaded by, cf. 5:8, 10
  6. Galatians 5:10 Lit toward
  7. Galatians 5:12 Or cut themselves off, castrate

Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again.

Arguments against being circumcised

Look, I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, having Christ won’t help you. Again I swear to every man who has himself circumcised that he is required to do the whole Law. You people who are trying to be made righteous by the Law have been estranged from Christ. You have fallen away from grace! We eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness through the Spirit by faith. Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t matter in Christ Jesus, but faith working through love does matter.

You were running well—who stopped you from obeying the truth? This line of reasoning doesn’t come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole lump of dough. 10 I’m convinced about you in the Lord that you won’t think any other way. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever that may be. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I’m still preaching circumcision, why am I still being harassed? In that case, the offense of the cross would be canceled. 12 I wish that the ones who are upsetting you would castrate themselves!

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