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Freedom of the Christian

¹ For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm^(C1) then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(C2) 2} Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(C1) 5} For we eagerly await^(C1) through the Spirit, by faith, the hope^(C2) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(C1) working through love.^(C2)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?^{(F1)(C1) 8} This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(C1) 9} A little leaven^(F1) leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(C1) 11} Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(C1) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

¹³ For you were called^(C1) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^(F1) for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(C1) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{(F1)(C2) 15} But if you bite and devour^(C1) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit^(C1) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(C1) 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.^{(C2) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^(F1) sexual immorality,^(C1) moral impurity,^(C2) promiscuity,^{(C3) 20} idolatry,^(C1) sorcery,^(C2) hatreds,^(C3) strife,^(C4) jealousy,^(C5) outbursts of anger,^(C6) selfish ambitions,^(C7) dissensions,^(C8) factions,^{(C9) 21} envy,^(F1)(C1) drunkenness, carousing,^(C2) and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(C3)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(C1) is love,^(C2) joy,^(C3) peace, patience,^(C4) kindness,^(C5) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(C1) and self-control.^(C2) The law is not against such things.^{(F1) 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(C1) have crucified the flesh^(C2) with its passions and desires.^{(C3) 25} If we live^(C1) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(C1)