Galatians 5: 1-26

Galatians 5: 1-26 (NASB)

¹ It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
² Behold, I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
³ And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
⁴ You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
⁵ For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
⁷ You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
⁸ This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
¹⁰ I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view, but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
¹¹ But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
¹² I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
¹³ For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
¹⁴ For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law
¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
²¹ envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness, 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 desires.
²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
²⁶ Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

(Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.) highlighting added

NOTES:

Verse 2: Refer to verse 6.

Verse 3: The "Law" in this verse is referring to the law of Moses, given by God. Refer to Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The sacrificial Law has been canceled by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are told in other New Testament scripture that we may eat what we want as long as we discard the blood. Refer to verse 14.

Verse 9: "Leaven" refers to sin.

Verse 12: Believe in the Lord and the One He sent. Through faith we are forgiven of our sin. The Lord understands that we humans all mess up. So instead of mutilating yourself like the non-believer, offer up the sacrifice of your own life through serving Him and following His ways.

Verse 14: See note for verse 3.

Verse 18: See note for verse 3. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit. While we do need to make sure that it is God speaking to us, checking it against His Word, we must acknowledge that we do not/cannot always understand His ways.

Verse 20: "Enmities" means mutual hatred or ill will.