A little time with Scripture.
SCRIPTURE READER

Galatians 5:1-6:10

World English Bible · Public domain

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Galatians 5:1-6:10

1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.

3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.

5For we through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.

6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision amounts to anything, but faith working through love.

7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?

8This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

9A little yeast grows through the whole lump.

10I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.

12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.

13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,

20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,

21envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

25If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.

26Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.

2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4But let each man examine his own work, and then he will have reason to boast in himself, and not in someone else.

5For each man will bear his own burden.

6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches.

7Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

10So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

World English Bible (WEB). Public-domain translation. Publisher: eBible.org. Local WEB chapter text; additional external requests use bible-api.com.

A few questions for reading in context
  • Who is speaking, and to whom?
  • What is happening before and after this passage?
  • What kind of writing is this—poetry, narrative, letter, or another form?
  • What does the passage say before I consider how to apply it?