Christian Liberty

5 ^(A)Stand^[a] fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a ^(B)yoke of bondage. ² Indeed I, Paul, say to you that ^(C)if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised ^(D)that he is ^[b]a debtor to keep the whole law. ^4 (E)You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; ^(F)you have fallen from grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit eagerly ^(G)wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ⁶ For ^(H)in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but ^(I)faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

⁷ You ^(J)ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. ^9 (K)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

¹¹ And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, ^(L)why do I still suffer persecution? Then ^(M)the offense of the cross has ceased. ^12 (N)I could wish that those ^(O)who trouble you would even ^[c]cut themselves off!

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only ^(P)do not use liberty as an ^(Q)opportunity for the flesh, but ^(R)through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For ^(S)all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ^(T)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

¹⁶ I say then: ^(U)Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For ^(V)the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, ^(W)so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But ^(X)if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now ^(Y)the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ^[d]adultery, ^[e]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, ^[f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that ^(Z)those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But ^(AA)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(AB)love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, ^(AC)goodness, ^(AD)faithfulness, ^23 [g]gentleness, self-control. ^(AE)Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s ^(AF)have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ^25 (AG)If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ^26 (AH)Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Bear and Share Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is ^[h]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of ^(AI)gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ^2 (AJ)Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill ^(AK)the law of Christ. ³ For ^(AL)if anyone thinks himself to be something, when ^(AM)he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But ^(AN)let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and ^(AO)not in another. ⁵ For ^(AP)each one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good

^6 (AQ)Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for ^(AR)whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap ^(AS)everlasting life. ⁹ And ^(AT)let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap ^(AU)if we do not lose heart. ^10 (AV)Therefore, as we have opportunity, ^(AW)let us do good to all, ^(AX)especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Glory Only in the Cross

¹¹ See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! ¹² As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, ^(AY)only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But God forbid that I should boast except in the ^(AZ)cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by ^[i]whom the world has been crucified to me, and ^(BA)I to the world. ¹⁵ For ^(BB)in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.