Galatians 5

1 It is for [true, spiritual] freedom [liberation from sin and bondage] that Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] has set us free [released from captivity]. Stand firm [be steadfast, unwavering], then, and do not be encumbered [entangled, held captive] once more [again] by a yoke [a symbol of slavery] of [spiritual] slavery [bondage to sin]. word study 2 Take notice [behold, look carefully]: I, Paul [the apostle, originally named Saul], tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised [receive circumcision, undergo the Jewish ritual], Christ [the Anointed One, Jesus] will be of no value [profit you nothing, be of no benefit] to you at all [completely, in any way]. word study 3 Again [once more, a second time] I testify [bear witness, give evidence] to every man [human being, person] who gets himself circumcised [cuts around, receives circumcision] that he is obligated [a debtor, under obligation] to obey [keep, fulfill] the whole [entire, complete] law [set of rules, divine regulations]. word study 4 You who are trying to be justified [made right with God, declared innocent] by the law [Mosaic law, God’s commandments] have been severed [cut off, abolished] from Christ [the Anointed One, Jesus]; you have fallen away [turned away, abandoned] from grace [God’s unmerited favor, kindness]. word study 5 But by [through, in] faith [trust, confidence in God] we eagerly await [expect, wait for] through the Spirit [the Holy Spirit, the vital principle] the hope [expectation, assurance] of righteousness [living according to God’s will, being in right standing with God]. word study 6 For [as a reason, explaining why] in Christ Jesus [the Messiah, God’s anointed] neither circumcision [the Jewish rite of cutting, a sign of covenant] nor uncircumcision [not being circumcised, a state of being] has any value [is strong, has power]. All that matters [is of importance] is faith [trust, confidence in God], expressed [working, being active] through [because of, by means of] love [unconditional, divine affection]. word study 7 You [as believers, spiritually] were running [progressing, making haste] so well [rightly, in a morally good way]. Who [which person, what influence] has obstructed [hindered, impeded] you from obeying [being persuaded by, having faith in] the truth [reality, divine verity]? word study 8 Such [strong and compelling] persuasion [convincing argument, persuasion to believe] does not [absolutely not, in no way] come from [originate with, is not from] the One [this specific person] who [the one calling] calls [invites, summons] you [directly, as individuals]. word study 9 A little [small, humble] leaven [a moral influence] works [spreads, permeates] through the whole [complete, entire] batch [lump] of dough [to leaven, making it rise]. word study 10 I am confident [fully persuaded, trusting] in the Lord [God, the supreme Authority] that you will take [adopt, choose] no other view [opinion, perspective]. The one who is troubling [disturbing, causing unrest] you will bear [carry, suffer] the judgment [condemnation, verdict], whoever [regardless of who] he may be [is, exists]. word study 11 Now, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], if I am still [continually, yet] preaching [proclaiming, heralding] circumcision [the Jewish rite of cutting, a sign of covenant], why am I still [yet, ongoing] being persecuted [suffering, pursued]? In that case [then, therefore] the offense [stumbling block, scandal] of the cross [the instrument of Christ’s death] has been abolished [made useless, removed]. word study 12 As for those who are [causing trouble, disturbing] agitating you, I wish [from the heart, with strong desire] they would proceed to [go beyond, even cut off] emasculate [castrate, render powerless] themselves [their own influence, authority]! word study 13 For you, brothers [fellow believers, brethren], were called [invited, summoned] to freedom [liberty, being free from sin and rules]; but do not use your freedom [liberty, autonomy] as an opportunity [chance, starting point] for the flesh [physical body, sinful nature]. Rather, serve one another [each other, mutually] in love [unconditional affection, agape]. word study 14 The entire [whole, complete] law [set of rules, regulations] is fulfilled [completed, satisfied] in a single [one, unified] decree [command, statement]: “Love [show esteem and goodwill towards] your neighbor [fellow, person near you] as [in the same way as, just like] yourself [your own person, your own life].” word study 15 But if [in the event that, if indeed] you keep on biting [harming, thwarting] and devouring [completely consuming, eating up] one another [each other, mutually], watch out [be careful, take heed], or [lest, otherwise] you will be consumed [used up, destroyed] by [under, at the hands of] one another [each other, one by one]. word study 16 So I say [then, as a conclusion], walk [live, follow] by the Spirit [the divine breath], and you will not [certainly not, under no circumstances] gratify [fulfill, satisfy] the desires [lust, evil longings] of the flesh [the physical body, human nature]. word study 17 For the flesh [our sinful nature, physical body] craves [lusts, has strong desires] what is contrary [opposed, against] to the Spirit [God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit], and the Spirit [God’s Spirit, the divine nature] what is contrary [opposed, against] to the flesh [our sinful nature, physical body]. They are opposed [fighting, in conflict] to each other, so that you do not do [cannot accomplish, are unable to fulfill] what you want [desire, wish to do]. word study 18 But if [in the event that, assuming] you are led [guided, directed] by the Spirit [the divine influence], you are not [absolutely not, no longer] under [subject to, controlled by] the law [God’s commandments]. word study 19 The acts [works, deeds] of the flesh [human nature, physical body] are obvious [clear, manifest]: sexual immorality [fornication, adultery], impurity [uncleanness, moral corruption], and debauchery [lasciviousness, wantonness]; word study 20 idolatry [worship of false gods, spiritual adultery] and sorcery [use of magic, witchcraft]; hatred [hostility, enmity], discord [quarrel, strife], jealousy [zeal, rivalry], and rage [intense anger, wrath]; rivalries [selfish ambition, contentions], divisions [dissensions, sects], factions [heresies, false teachings], word study 21 and envy [a feeling of spite or jealousy]; drunkenness [intoxication, reckless behavior], orgies [wild parties, revelings], and the like [similar sinful actions]. I warn you, as I did before [previously, as a prior warning], that those who practice [habitually do, repeatedly engage in] such things will not inherit [receive as a gift, be a part of] the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the supreme deity, Creator]. word study 22 But the fruit [product, result] of the Spirit [the vital principle] is love [unconditional, divine affection], joy [deep and lasting happiness], peace [harmony, inner calm], patience [longsuffering, endurance], kindness [gentleness, moral excellence], goodness [generosity, virtue], faithfulness [trust, loyalty], word study 23 gentleness [meekness, mildness], and self-control [temperance, control over desires]. Against such things [these kinds of virtues] there is no law [regulation, rule]. word study 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus [are united with the Messiah] have crucified [nailed to the cross, put to death] the flesh [human nature, physical body] with its passions [suffering, emotions] and desires [strong longings, evil cravings]. word study 25 Since we live [reside, dwell] by the Spirit [the divine breath], let us walk [march in step, follow] in step [in harmony, in line] with the Spirit [the vital principle, the mental disposition]. word study 26 Let us not [under any circumstances] become [be or act as] conceited [vain-glorious, full of self-glory], provoking [irritating, challenging] and envying [feeling jealous of, having envy towards] one another [each other, in a spirit of rivalry]. word study