¹⁰ Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.^(A)

¹² All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law^(A) will be judged by the law. ¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey^(B) the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,^(C) they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart^(A) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery^(B) of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.^{(C) 4} I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.^{(D) 5} For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit^(E) and delight to see how disciplined^(F) you are and how firm^(G) your faith in Christ^(H) is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,^(I) continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted^(J) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,^(K) and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(L) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(M) rather than on Christ.

¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(A) from whom the whole body,^(B) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(C)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(D) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(E) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(F) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(G) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(H) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(I) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

No Other Gospel

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called^(A) you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel^(B)— ⁷ which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion^(C) and are trying to pervert^(D) the gospel of Christ.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(A) by their good life, by deeds^(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(D) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(F) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^(K)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)