MSB GAL Chapter 5

Freedom in Christ

In the freedom with which Christ has set us free stand firm, then, and {do} not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

2 

Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you {at all}. 3 vvv Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 {You} who are [trying] to be justified by [the] law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

5 

[But] by faith we eagerly await through [the] Spirit [the] hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value All that matters is faith expressing itself through love.

7 

You were running so well. Who has obstructed you vvv from obeying the truth? 8 [Such] persuasion [does] not [come] from the [One] who calls you. 9 A little leaven works through the whole batch [of dough]. 10 I am confident in [the] Lord that you will take no other view The [one who is] troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

11 

Now, brothers, if I {am} still preaching circumcision, why vvv am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those who are agitating you, I wish vvv they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

13 

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but [do] not [use] [your] freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree:“Love your neighbor as yourself.”[fn] 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, [or] you will be consumed by one another.

16 

Walking by the Spirit

(Ezekiel 36:16–38, Romans 8:9–11)

So I say, walk by [the] Spirit, and vvv vvv you will not gratify [the] desires [of the] flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. [They] are opposed to each other, so that vvv you do not do what vvv you want. 18 But if you are led by [the] Spirit, you are not under [the] law.

19 

The acts of the flesh are obvious: adultery,[fn] sexual immorality, impurity, [and] debauchery; 20 idolatry [and] sorcery; hostilities,[fn] quarrels,[fn] jealousies,[fn] [and] rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 envy, [and] murders;[fn] drunkenness, orgies, and the like I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things vvv will not inherit [the] kingdom of God.

22 

But the fruit of the Spirit 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[fn] have crucified the flesh with [its] passions and desires. 25 Since we live by [the] Spirit, vvv let us walk in step with [the] Spirit. 26 vvv Let us not become conceited, provoking [and] envying one another.