Galatians 5
Lessons from the Two Covenants: Hagar and Sarah (4:21–5:1) [continued]
1 Christ set us free in the interest of liberty. Therefore, stand firm and do not be again loaded down with the yoke of slavery.
Liberty Only through Christ (5:2–12)
2 Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you are circumcised, Christ would be of help to you in no way. 3 I testify again to every man who is circumcised that he is a debtor to carry out the entire Mosaic law. 4 You became severed from Christ, you who justified yourselves by the law. You have fallen from grace: 5 For we in spirit through faithfulness eagerly expect the hope of righteousness. 6 For, through Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters at all but instead only faithfulness expressed through Christlike love. 7 You were running so well. Who hindered you from trusting in the truth? 8 His persuasion is not from him who is calling you. 9 A little leaven works through the entire batch of dough. 10 I trust in the Lord that you will not consider any other view, and the one who is distressing you will suffer his judgment, whoever he may be. 11 Now I, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then the scandal of the cross would cease to be an obstacle. 12 O that those who upset you would emasculate themselves.
Life in the Spirit (5:13–26)
13 Certainly you have been called to liberty, brothers and sisters; only do not use the liberty as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, through love, serve one another. 14 For the whole law has been made complete by one statement, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” [Lev. 19:18]. 15 But if you bite and eat up one another, take care that you are not consumed by each other.
16 Now I say, conduct yourselves according to the Spirit and you will by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, for these forces are hostile to each other so that you might not do whatever you desire. 18 However, if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.
19 The deeds of the flesh are plainly seen: sexual immorality, vileness, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, contention, envy, fits of rage, selfishness, discord, heresy, 21 envyings, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I warn you, as I previously warned you, that those practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 By contrast, the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, 23 humility, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, neither provoking nor envying one another.
