^1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

The Nature of Christian Freedom

^2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ^3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. ^4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ^5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ^6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working^k through love.

^7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth? ^8 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ^9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. ^10 I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. ^11 But my friends,^l why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ^12 I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!

^13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;^m only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,^nbut through love become slaves to one another. ^14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ^15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

The Works of the Flesh

^16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. ^17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. ^18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. ^19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, ^20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ^21 envy,^o drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit

(Cp Col 3.12—13)

^22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, ^23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. ^24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ^25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. ^26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.