Galatians 5:13
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.
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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- KJV
- For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
- WEB
- For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
- ASV
- For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only [use] not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
- DARBY
- For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only [do] not [turn] liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
- BLB
- For you⁺ were called to freedom, brothers, only not the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh. But serve one another through love.
- ÅB
- For dere ble kalt til frihet, brødre; bruk bare ikke friheten til en leilighet for kjødet, men tjen hverandre i kjærlighet!
- OTB
- Dere, mine brødre og søstre, ble kalt til å være fri. Men bruk ikke friheten som en anledning for kjødet; tjen heller hverandre i kjærlighet.
- B1930
- For I blev kalt til frihet, brødre; bruk bare ikke friheten til en leilighet for kjødet, men tjen hverandre i kjærlighet!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Peter 2:16
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Read in contextRomans 15:1–2
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Read in contextGalatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Read in contextEphesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Read in contextRomans 6:18–22
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Read in contextGalatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Read in context