Chapter III: Moral Duties

1 [5:1]STAND firm in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again subject to a yoke of servitude. [5:2]Behold, I Paul tell you, that if you are circumcised Christ will not profit you. [5:3]For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is bound to perform the whole law. [5:4] You have departed from Christ, whoever of you are justified by the law, you have fallen from the grace. [5:5]For we wait in spirit for the hope of righteousness, by faith. [5:6]For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love.

2 [5:7]You ran well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? [5:8]This persuasion is not of him that calls you. [5:9]A little leaven leavens the whole mass. [5:10]I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will not be of another mind; but he that troubles you shall bear his sin, whoever he is. [5:11] And I, brothers, if I preach circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then has the offense of the cross ceased. [5:12]I would that they were cut off that disturb you. [5:13]For you are called to liberty, brothers, only make not your liberty an occasion for the flesh, but by love serve one another. [5:14]For all the law is fully contained in one precept; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. [5:15]But if you bite and devour one another, see that you be not consumed one by another.

3 [5:16]And I say, walk in the Spirit and perform not the desire of the flesh. [5:17]For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposed one to another, so that you do not what you wish. [5:18]But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [5:19]For the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, impurity, lewdness, [5:20]idolatry, magic, enmities, strife, envy, anger, contentions, dissensions, heresies, [5:21]murders, drunkenness, revellings and the like, of which I tell you before, as I have also previously told you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [5:22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, [5:23]meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. [5:24]And the [subjects] of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its affections and desires. [5:25]If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [5:26]Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

4 [6:1]Brothers, if a man is overtaken with any fault, do you that are spiritual restore such a one with a spirit of meekness, considering yourself; lest you also be tried. [6:2]Bear one another's burdens, and so perform the law of Christ. [6:3]For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [6:4]But let each one prove his work, and then shall he have joy in himself alone and not in another, [6:5]for every one shall bear his own burden.

5 [6:6]Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that teaches of all good things. [6:7]Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what a man sows, that shall he also reap; [6:8]for he that sows for his flesh, shall of the flesh reap destruction; but he that sows for the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life eternal. [6:9]Let us not be weary of well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. [6:10]As we have opportunity, therefore, let us do good to all, but especially to the members of the family of the faith.

6 [6:11]You see with how long a letter I have written to you. [6:12]Those who wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [6:13]For the circumcised themselves do not keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. [6:14]But far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world. [6:15]For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [6:16]And whoever walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.

7 [6:17]Finally, let no man trouble me; for I bear in my body the marks of Jesus. [6:18]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers; amen.

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

EPHESUS, A.D. 57. (ACTS, 19:10.)