Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Freedom of the Christian

5 Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm^(A) then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(B) 2} Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(C) 5} For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait^(D) for the hope^(E) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(F) working through love.^(G)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(H) 8} This persuasion did not come from the One who called you.^{(I) 9} A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(J) 11} Now brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(K) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

¹³ For you were called^(L) to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled^(M) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{(N)[a] 15} But if you bite and devour^(O) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit^(P) and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(Q) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(R) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[b][c] sexual immorality,^(S) moral impurity,^(T) promiscuity,^{(U) 20} idolatry,^(V) sorcery,^(W) hatreds,^(X) strife,^(Y) jealousy,^(Z) outbursts of anger,^(AA) selfish ambitions,^(AB) dissensions,^(AC) factions,^{(AD) 21} envy,^[d](AE) drunkenness, carousing,^(AF) and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(AG)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(AH) is love,^(AI) joy,^(AJ) peace, patience,^(AK) kindness,^(AL) goodness, faith,^{[e] 23} gentleness,^(AM) self-control.^(AN) Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(AO) have crucified the flesh^(AP) with its passions and desires.^{(AQ) 25} Since we live^(AR) by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. ²⁶ We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(AS)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle^(AT) spirit,^(AU) watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.^{(AV) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(AW) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(AX) he deceives himself. ⁴ But each person should examine his own work,^(AY) and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ The one who is taught the message must share^(AZ) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(BA) will reap eternal life^(BB) from the Spirit. ⁹ So we must not get tired^(BC) of doing good,^(BD) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work^(BE) for the good^(BF) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(BG) of faith.^(BH)

Concluding Exhortation

¹¹ Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. ¹² Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh^(BI) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised^(BJ)—but only to avoid being persecuted^(BK) for the cross^(BL) of Christ. ¹³ For even the circumcised don’t keep^(BM) the law themselves; however, they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For^[f] both circumcision and uncircumcision^(BN) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.^{(BO) 16} May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel^(BP) of God!

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus.^{(BQ) 18} Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(BR) Amen.