Galatians 5: 1-26

Galatians 5: 1-26 (NKJV)

¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
² Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.
³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
⁴ You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
⁵ For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
⁷ You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
⁸ This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
¹⁰ I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
¹¹ And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
¹² I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

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.