| 1 | In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered
and
held ensnared
and
submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. |
| 2 | Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no profit (advantage, avail) to you [
[a]for if you distrust Him, you can gain nothing from Him]. |
| 3 | I once more protest
and
testify to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation
and
bound to practice the whole of the Law
and
its ordinances. |
| 4 | If you seek to be justified
and
declared righteous
and
to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing
and
so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing). |
| 5 | For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit’s [help], by faith anticipate
and
wait for the blessing
and
good for which our righteousness
and
right standing with God [our
[b]conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope. |
| 6 | For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated
and
energized
and
expressed
and
working through love. |
| 7 | You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding
and
following the Truth? |
| 8 | This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ]. |
| 9 | A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church]. |
| 10 | [For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter
but
will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty. |
| 11 | But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block
and
is made meaningless (done away). |
| 12 | I wish those who unsettle
and
confuse you would [
[c]go all the way and] cut themselves off! |
| 13 | For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh
and
an opportunity
or
excuse [for
[d]selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. |
| 14 | For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is
[e]complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. |
| 15 | But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. |
| 16 | But I say, walk
and
live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to
and
controlled
and
guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings
and
desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). |
| 17 | For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free
but
are prevented from doing what you desire to do. |
| 18 | But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. |
| 19 | Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, |
| 20 | Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), |
| 21 | Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. |
| 22 | But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, |
| 23 | Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [
[f]that can bring a charge]. |
| 24 | And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites
and
desires. |
| 25 | If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit
[g]we have our life in God, let us go forward
[h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] |
| 26 | Let us not become vainglorious
and
self-conceited, competitive
and
challenging
and
provoking
and
irritating to one another, envying
and
being jealous of one another. |
Cross references:
-
Galatians 5:14 : Lev. 19:18.
|