Galatians · Chapter 5
Galatians 5
Berean Standard Bible · Public domain · Source credits
Freedom in Christ
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
8Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.
9A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.
10I 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.
11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
12As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”*
15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
Walking by the Spirit
(Ezekiel 36:16–38; Romans 8:9–11)
16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17For 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 you do not do what you want.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
Source notes
- 5:14 Leviticus 19:18 Read Leviticus 19:18
Old Testament references
References from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Text from the Berean Standard Bible.
Leviticus 19:18Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Proverbs 23:23Invest in truth and never sell it— in wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Psalms 51:12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
Deuteronomy 8:19If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.
Deuteronomy 31:21And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”
Nehemiah 9:29You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
Nehemiah 9:30You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.
Nehemiah 9:34Our kings and leaders and priests and fathers did not obey Your law or listen to Your commandments and warnings that You gave them.
Deuteronomy 27:26‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Genesis 49:18I await Your salvation, O LORD.
Psalms 25:3Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who are faithless without cause will be disgraced.
Psalms 25:5Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.