Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians

1Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free; and be not again entangled by the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul protest to you, that, if ye be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man who is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye have separated yourselves from Christ; ye are fallen from grace.

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

6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith working by love.

7Ye were running well. Who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth?

8This persuasion is not from him who called you.

9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10I am persuaded concerning you in the Lord, that ye will think nothing else; ¹⁹⁴ but he that troubleth you shall bear the condemnation, whoever he be.

11And I, ¹⁹⁵ brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? The offense of the cross is abolished.

12Would that they were even cut off who trouble you!

13For ye, brethren, have been called to liberty; only make not the liberty an occasion to the flesh, ¹⁹⁶ but by love serve one another.

14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, namely, this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

15But if ye bite and devour one another, see that ye be not consumed by one another.

16Now I say: Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that ye cannot do those things which ye would wish.

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

19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20Idolatry, witchcraft, enmities, strife, emulations, wrath, quarrellings, seditions, heresies,

21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I foretell to you, as I also have foretold, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, ¹⁹⁷ gentleness, kindness, fidelity,

23Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.

24And they who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

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

26Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another.