1 For freedom {eleutheria: gracious release} Christ {Christos, Delivering Redeemer} has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not again be subject to a yoke of slavery.
2 Behold, I, Paul, say to you that if you are circumcised, Christ {Christos, Anointed Deliverer} will benefit you nothing {ouden: not at all}.
3 I testify again to every man who is being circumcised that he is a debtor {opheiletēs: one bound by obligation} to do the whole law {nomos: Torah command system}.
4 You have been cut off from Christ {Christos, Anointed Redeemer}, you who are being justified in law; you have fallen away from grace {charis: God’s unearned favor}.
5 For we, by the Spirit {Pneuma, Sanctifying Guide}, from faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope {elpida: confident expectation} of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Redeeming Messiah} neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any power, but faith working through love {agape: self-giving devotion}.
7 You were running {etrechete: continuing in faith} well. Who hindered you so that you would not obey the truth {aletheia: gospel reality}?
8 This persuasion {peismone: misleading influence} is not from the one who calls {kaleo: personally summons} you.
9 A little leaven {zyme: fermenting agent} leavens the whole lump {phyrama: mixed dough}.
10 I have confidence in you in the Lord {Kyrios, Ground of Confidence} that you will have no other mindset; but the one who is troubling you will bear the judgment {krima: judicial verdict}, whoever he may be.
11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision {peritome: covenant marker}, why am I still persecuted? Then the offense {skandalon: stumbling barrier} of the cross has been abolished.
12 I wish that those who are unsettling {anastatountes: creating confusion} you would even mutilate {apokopsontai: self-mutilate} themselves.
13 For you were called to freedom {eleutheria: Spirit-given liberty}, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love {agape: self-giving devotion} serve one another.
14 For the whole law {nomos: covenant standard} has been fulfilled in one statement {logos: summary command}: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed {analothete: utterly destroyed} by one another {allelon: mutually harmed}.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit {pneuma, Sanctifying Guide}, and you will not carry out the desire {epithymia: inward craving} of the flesh.
17 For the flesh {sarx: sin-oriented nature} desires against the Spirit {pneuma, Sanctifying Power}, but the Spirit against the flesh. For these are opposed to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit {Pneuma, Liberating Guide}, you are not under law {nomos: Torah covenant code}.
19 Now the works of the flesh {sarx: fallen nature} are manifest, which are these: sexual immorality, impurity {akatharsia: moral filth}, sensuality.
20 Idolatry {eidololatria: worship of created things}, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions {dikhostasiai: internal church divisions}, factions.
21 Envies, drunkenness, revelries, and things like these, which I forewarn you of just as I said before, that those who practice {prasso: ongoing conduct} such things will not inherit the kingdom of God {Theos, Righteous King}.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit {Pneuma, Sanctifying Producer} is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness {pistis: loyal steadiness}.
23 Gentleness {prautes: meek under pressure} and self-control {enkrateia: mastery of desires}; against such things there is no law.
24 But those who belong to Christ {Christos, Anointed Redeemer} have crucified the flesh with its passions {pathema: intense feelings} and desires.
25 If we live {zomen: share spiritual life} by the Spirit {Pneuma, Life-Giving Guide}, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become vainglorious {kenodoxoi: empty pride}, provoking one another, envying {phthonountes: feeling resentment} one another.