1Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm Rm 14:4; Php 1:27 then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Gl 4:22

2Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law.

4You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. 2Pt 3:18

5For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait Jd 21 for the hope Rm 8:23-25; 1Th 1:3 of righteousness.

6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith 1Th 1:3 working through love. 1Co 13:1; Jms 2:18-22

7You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? Jn 8:14; 1Jn 5:20

8This persuasion did not come from the One who called you. Col 3:15; 1Pt 1:15

9A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough.

10I have confidence in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. Mk 12:40

11Now brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross Lk 9:23 has been abolished.

12I wish those who are disturbing you might also get themselves castrated!

13For you were called Col 3:15 to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

14For the entire law is fulfilled Mt 1:22 in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. Lv 19:18; Mt 7:12; 19:19; 22:37-40; Jn 13:34 Lv 19:18

15But if you bite and devour Gl 5:20; Php 3:2,20 one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

16I say then, walk by the Spirit Rm 8:4; 1Tm 3:16; 2Pt 1:4; 2:10 and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17For the flesh desires 1Pt 2:11 what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. Rm 7:15,23; Php 2:13

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: Other mss add adultery Lit obvious, which are: sexual immorality, Mk 7:21; 1Th 4:3 moral impurity, 1Th 4:7 promiscuity, Mk 7:22

20idolatry, Col 3:5; 1Pt 4:3 sorcery, Rv 18:23 hatreds, Rm 8:7 strife, Ti 3:9 jealousy, Jms 3:4 outbursts of anger, Rv 14:19 selfish ambitions, Rm 2:8 dissensions, Rm 16:17 factions, 2Pt 2:1

21envy, Other mss add murders Rm 1:29 drunkenness, carousing, Rm 13:13; 1Pt 4:3 and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance — as I told you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1Co 6:10; 15:50

22But the fruit of the Spirit Mt 7:16-20; Rm 6:21; 7:4; 8:5; Eph 5:9 is love, 1Co 13:1; Phm 5 joy, Jn 15:11; 2Co 6:10 peace, patience, Ex 34:6; 2Tm 3:10 kindness, Ps 25:6; 2Co 6:6 goodness, faith, Or faithfulness

23gentleness, Jms 3:13 self-control. 2Pt 1:6 Against such things there is no law.

24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus Nm 3:12 have crucified the flesh Rm 8:12 with its passions and desires. 2Pt 1:4; 2:10

25Since we live Php 1:21; 3:16 by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.

26We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Php 2:3