Study Desk

Freedom in Christ

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(a) Stand firm,^(b) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(c)

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(d) Christ will be of no value to you at all.

Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^(e)

You who are trying to be justified by the law^(f) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^(g)

For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^(h)

For in Christ Jesus⁽ⁱ⁾ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(j) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(k)

You were running a good race.^(l) Who cut in on you^(m) to keep you from obeying the truth?

That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.⁽ⁿ⁾

"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."^(o)

I am confident^(p) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(q) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(r) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(s) In that case the offense^(t) of the cross has been abolished.

As for those agitators,^(u) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(v) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a];^(w) rather, serve one another^(x) humbly in love.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."^[b](y)

If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.