GALATIANS
Paul’s letter to the Galatians was addressed to a group of churches in Galatia, a region of present-day Turkey. Paul had preached the gospel in these churches.
He wrote to counter those who taught that Christians must be circumcised
in order to be accepted by God.
Paul began with a defense of his apostolic authority (chs. 1–2),
then made it clear that all believers,
Jew and Gentile alike,
enjoy complete salvation in Christ
(chs. 3–4).
In chapters 5–6
Paul showed how the gospel of grace leads to
true freedom and godly living.
Perhaps the central message of Galatians is
a person is not justified by works of the law
but through
faith in Jesus Christ”
(2:16).
Paul wrote this letter sometime between a.d.48 and 55.
Greetings,
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man,
but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised him from the dead— 2 and all ethe brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James hthe Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 jThen I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that mI proclaim among the Gentiles, nin order to make sure I was not running or had not orun in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, pwas not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 qYet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who rslipped in to spy out sour freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, tso that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that uthe truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those vwho seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; wGod shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential xadded nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been yentrusted with zthe gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, vwho seemed to be apillars, perceived the bgrace that was given to me, they cgave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, dthe very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face,
because he stood condemned.
For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him,
so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that their conduct
was not in step with the
truth of the gospel,
I said to Cephas before them all,
"If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Justified by Faith
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not mGentile sinners;
yet we know
that a person is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ,
so we also have believed in Christ Jesus,
in order to be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law,
because by works of the law
no one will be justified.
But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might alive to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in
the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God,
for if righteousness were through the law,
then
Christ died for no purpose.
By Faith, or by Works of the Law?
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
Let me ask you only this: bDid you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? dHaving begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 eDid you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and fworks miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as hAbraham
"believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that kGod would justify the Gentiles
by faith,
preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying,
"In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham,
the man of faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For all who rely on works of the law
are under a curse;
for it is written, n“Cursed be everyone who does not oabide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law,
for The righteous shall live by faith.”
But the law is not of faith, rather r“The one who does them shall live by them.”
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,
so that we might receive the
promised Spirit through faith.
The Law and the Promise
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, c“And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came d430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as eto make the promise void.
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise;
but fGod gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was iput in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now kan intermediary implies more than one, but lGod is one.
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For mif a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that othe promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Now before faith came,
we were held captive under the law,
imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might
be justified by faith.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
For as many of you as vwere baptized winto Christ have put on Christ. yThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave7 nor free, zthere is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And aif you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, bheirs according to promise.
No Other Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly
deserting him
who called you in the
grace of Christ
and are turning to a different gospel—
not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the
gospel of Christ.
But even if we or qan angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, rlet him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, rlet him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying sto please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a tservant2 of Christ.
Paul Called by God
11 For uI would have you know, brothers, that vthe gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.3 12 wFor I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it xthrough a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of ymy former life in Judaism, how zI persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely azealous was I for bthe traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he cwho had set me apart dbefore I was born,4 and who ecalled me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to5 me, in order fthat I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;6 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me,but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Sons and Heirs
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,1though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But dwhen the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born fof woman, born gunder the law, 5 hto redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive iadoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent jthe Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then kan heir through God.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
Formerly, when you
did not know God,
you were enslaved to those that by nature
are not gods.
But now that you have come to know God,
or rather oto be known by God,
how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid sI may have labored over you in vain.
Brothers, i entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. uYou did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and anot only when I am present with you, my little children, cfor whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ dis formed in you!
I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone,
for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. jOne is from Mount Sinai,
bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds
to the present Jerusalem,
for she is in slavery with her children.
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,
Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
So, brothers, we are not children of the slave
but of the free woman.
Christ Has Set Us Free
For freedom Christ has set us FREE; stand FIRM therefore,
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Look:
I, Paul, say to you that
if you accept circumcision,
christ will be of no advantage to you.
II testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that zhe is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are asevered from Christ, byou who would be justified1 by the law; cyou have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly dwait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus eneither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but fonly faith working through love.
7 gYou were running well. Who hindered you from obeying hthe truth? 8 This persuasion is not from ihim who calls you. 9 jA little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 kI have confidence in the Lord that you will ltake no other view, and mthe one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,2 still preach3 circumcision, nwhy am I still being persecuted? In that case othe offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish pthose who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. qOnly do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love rserve one another. 14 For sthe whole law is fulfilled in one word: t“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you ubite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,
and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,
for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from
doing the things you want to do.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is
no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another,
envying one another.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
YOU who are spiritual should
restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself,
lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill tthe law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing,
he deceives himself.
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to
bear his own load.
Let the one who is
taught the word share all good things with the
one who teaches.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows,
that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
So then, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
See with what large letters I am writing to you
with my own hand.
it is those who
want to make a good showing in the flesh
who would force you to be circumcised, and
only in order that they may not be
persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves
keep the law,
but they desire to have you circumcised
that they may boast in your flesh.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule,
peace and mercy
be upon them, and upon the
Israel of God.
From now on let no one cause me trouble,
for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with YOUR spirit,
brothers.
Amen.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians was addressed to a group of churches in Galatia, a region of present-day Turkey. Paul had preached the gospel in these churches.
He wrote to counter those who taught that Christians must be circumcised
in order to be accepted by God.
Paul began with a defense of his apostolic authority (chs. 1–2),
then made it clear that all believers,
Jew and Gentile alike,
enjoy complete salvation in Christ
(chs. 3–4).
In chapters 5–6
Paul showed how the gospel of grace leads to
true freedom and godly living.
Perhaps the central message of Galatians is
a person is not justified by works of the law
but through
faith in Jesus Christ”
(2:16).
Paul wrote this letter sometime between a.d.48 and 55.
Greetings,
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man,
but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised him from the dead— 2 and all ethe brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James hthe Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 jThen I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that mI proclaim among the Gentiles, nin order to make sure I was not running or had not orun in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, pwas not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 qYet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who rslipped in to spy out sour freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, tso that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that uthe truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those vwho seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; wGod shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential xadded nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been yentrusted with zthe gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, vwho seemed to be apillars, perceived the bgrace that was given to me, they cgave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, dthe very thing I was eager to do.
Paul Opposes Peter
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face,
because he stood condemned.
For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him,
so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
But when I saw that their conduct
was not in step with the
truth of the gospel,
I said to Cephas before them all,
"If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Justified by Faith
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not mGentile sinners;
yet we know
that a person is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ,
so we also have believed in Christ Jesus,
in order to be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law,
because by works of the law
no one will be justified.
But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might alive to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in
the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God,
for if righteousness were through the law,
then
Christ died for no purpose.
By Faith, or by Works of the Law?
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
Let me ask you only this: bDid you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? dHaving begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 eDid you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and fworks miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as hAbraham
"believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that kGod would justify the Gentiles
by faith,
preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying,
"In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham,
the man of faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
For all who rely on works of the law
are under a curse;
for it is written, n“Cursed be everyone who does not oabide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law,
for The righteous shall live by faith.”
But the law is not of faith, rather r“The one who does them shall live by them.”
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles,
so that we might receive the
promised Spirit through faith.
The Law and the Promise
To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, c“And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came d430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as eto make the promise void.
For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise;
but fGod gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was iput in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now kan intermediary implies more than one, but lGod is one.
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For mif a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that othe promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Now before faith came,
we were held captive under the law,
imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might
be justified by faith.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
For as many of you as vwere baptized winto Christ have put on Christ. yThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave7 nor free, zthere is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And aif you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, bheirs according to promise.
No Other Gospel
I am astonished that you are so quickly
deserting him
who called you in the
grace of Christ
and are turning to a different gospel—
not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the
gospel of Christ.
But even if we or qan angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, rlet him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, rlet him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying sto please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a tservant2 of Christ.
Paul Called by God
11 For uI would have you know, brothers, that vthe gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.3 12 wFor I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it xthrough a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of ymy former life in Judaism, how zI persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely azealous was I for bthe traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he cwho had set me apart dbefore I was born,4 and who ecalled me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to5 me, in order fthat I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;6 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me,but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Sons and Heirs
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave,1though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But dwhen the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born fof woman, born gunder the law, 5 hto redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive iadoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent jthe Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then kan heir through God.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
Formerly, when you
did not know God,
you were enslaved to those that by nature
are not gods.
But now that you have come to know God,
or rather oto be known by God,
how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid sI may have labored over you in vain.
Brothers, i entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. uYou did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and anot only when I am present with you, my little children, cfor whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ dis formed in you!
I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone,
for I am perplexed about you.
Example of Hagar and Sarah
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. jOne is from Mount Sinai,
bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds
to the present Jerusalem,
for she is in slavery with her children.
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written,
Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear;
break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than those of the one who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
So, brothers, we are not children of the slave
but of the free woman.
Christ Has Set Us Free
For freedom Christ has set us FREE; stand FIRM therefore,
and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Look:
I, Paul, say to you that
if you accept circumcision,
christ will be of no advantage to you.
II testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that zhe is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are asevered from Christ, byou who would be justified1 by the law; cyou have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly dwait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus eneither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but fonly faith working through love.
7 gYou were running well. Who hindered you from obeying hthe truth? 8 This persuasion is not from ihim who calls you. 9 jA little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 kI have confidence in the Lord that you will ltake no other view, and mthe one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers,2 still preach3 circumcision, nwhy am I still being persecuted? In that case othe offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish pthose who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. qOnly do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love rserve one another. 14 For sthe whole law is fulfilled in one word: t“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you ubite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,
and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,
for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from
doing the things you want to do.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is
no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another,
envying one another.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
YOU who are spiritual should
restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself,
lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill tthe law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing,
he deceives himself.
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to
bear his own load.
Let the one who is
taught the word share all good things with the
one who teaches.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows,
that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
So then, as we have opportunity,
let us do good to everyone,
and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Final Warning and Benediction
See with what large letters I am writing to you
with my own hand.
it is those who
want to make a good showing in the flesh
who would force you to be circumcised, and
only in order that they may not be
persecuted for the cross of Christ.
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves
keep the law,
but they desire to have you circumcised
that they may boast in your flesh.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which
the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule,
peace and mercy
be upon them, and upon the
Israel of God.
From now on let no one cause me trouble,
for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with YOUR spirit,
brothers.
Amen.
RSS Feed
