Freedom of the Believer

5:1 For freedom1 Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke2 of slavery. 5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 5:3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey3 the whole law. 5:4 You who are trying to be declared righteous4 by the law have been alienated5 from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight—the only thing that matters is faith working through love.6

5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying7 the truth? 5:8 This persuasion8 does not come from the one who calls you! 5:9 A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise!9 5:10 I am confident10 in the Lord that you will accept no other view.11 But the one who is confusing12 you will pay the penalty,13 whoever he may be. 5:11 Now, brothers and sisters,14 if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?15 In that case the offense of the cross16 has been removed.17 5:12 I wish those agitators18 would go so far as to19 castrate themselves!20