That question came up because some false believers had slipped in among us to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to make us slaves again.
Certain people have secretly slipped in among you. Long ago it was written that they would be found guilty. They’re ungodly people who misuse the grace of our God as an excuse for sexual sins. They deny Jesus Christ, our only Lord and King.
I’ve had to keep on the move constantly. I’ve been in danger from rivers, in danger from robbers, in danger from my fellow Jews, and in danger from Gentiles. I’ve been in danger in the city, in the country, and at sea. I’ve been in danger from people who pretended they were believers.
They’re the kind of people who take advantage of vulnerable women. They get into their homes and get control over them. These women are already struggling with wrong behaviors they can’t stop giving in to.
I’m confident in the Lord that you won’t see this any other way. The people who are getting you so confused will be punished for that, no matter who they are.
In fact, you even put up with anyone who makes you a slave or uses you or takes advantage of you. You put up with those who claim to be better than you, and even with those who slap you in the face.
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers, “If you aren’t circumcised the way Moses commanded, you can’t be saved.”
The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves who live in fear again. Instead, the Spirit you received has made you God’s genuine child by adoption. And the Spirit leads us to call out to God, “Abba, Father.”
But if someone takes a good look at the perfect law that gives freedom, if they keep looking at it and don’t forget what they’ve heard but do it, then that person will be blessed in what they do.