Galatians 5

(1)  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(2)  Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
(3)  For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
(4)  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
(5)  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
(6)  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
(7)  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
(8)  This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
(9)  A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
(10)  I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
(11)  And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
(12)  I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
(13)  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
(14)  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(15)  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
(16)  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(17)  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
(18)  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
(19)  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
(20)  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
(21)  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(24)  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(25)  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
(26)  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

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Study Questions

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1. From what were they (and we) made free that we might enjoy liberty? Are we also freed from obedience to the law of faith? Verse 1.

2. Was it wrong for a Jew to circumcise his children? How would circumcision cause Christ to be of no benefit to a saved person? Verse 2.

3. What is another reason that a person should not seek justification through circumcision? Does this mean that if someone accepts one precept from the Law of Moses as binding, he is obligated to accept every item of that law? Verse 3.

4. How would it be possible for someone to fall from grace? Since we are said to be saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), what would it mean to fall from grace? Verse 4.

5. What is the hope of righteousness or justification revealed through or by the Spirit? Verse 5.

6. Why was it necessary to add uncircumcision? Does 1 Corinthians 7:19 help us understand this verse? Verse 6.

7. The Galatians were running well. What did hinder them? What is another term for “the truth”? Verse 7.

8. What was the “persuasion”? Who was “the one that calleth you”? Verse 8.

9. What is the danger in accepting a little false teaching? What would be the consequences of accepting circumcision and holy days? Verse 9.

10. About what was the apostle confident concerning the Galatians? Who was the one troubling and what would be his judgment? Verse 10.

11. What does Paul offer as evidence that he is not still advocating circumcision as some were evidently alleging from the circumcision of Timothy? Verse 11. (See Acts 16:1-3)

12. What does Paul wish for those troubling the Galatians? Verse 12.

13. Paul argues that Christian liberty is not a starting point for man to digress into immorality. On the other hand what is it? Verse 13.

14. The word “for” ties this verse to the preceding verse with reference to that part of the Law that regulates one’s conduct toward others. What was that obligation toward others? Verse 14.

15. What does Paul assume is occurring among the Galatians? If true, what will be the outcome? Verse 15.

16. What is Paul’s remedy for not carrying out the lusts of the flesh? What will walking under the direction of the Holy Spirit not allow man to do? Verses 16-17.

17. What is the opposite of being “led of the Spirit”? Verse 18.

18. What does the word “manifest” mean? What are the deeds produced by the one who is living in opposition to the revelation of God? Verses 19-21.

19. Did Paul name every work of the flesh? What will happen to those Christians who do such things? Verse 21.

20. What is the consequence or result of the following the guidance of the Holy Spirit as revealed in God’s revelation of truth? Verses 22-23.

21. What law condemns those who live according to the Spirit? Verse 23.

22. What is another reason Paul gives to show that the Law was not needed to govern moral conduct? Verse 24.

23. What does it mean to live in the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit? Verse 25.

24. What is “vain glory”? What was the result of vain glory? Could this have been something having to do with the Law of Moses? Verse 26.