Chapter 1
1Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2and all the brethren with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6I am astonished that you are so quickly turning away from the one that called you by the grace of Christ to a different gospel, 7which is not actually another, but there are some who are troubling you, and are wanting to change the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel beyond[a] the one we preached to you, let him be accursed! 9As we have said before, so I say again now, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel beyond[b] what you received, let him be accursed!
10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11For I tell you, brethren, that the gospel that was preached by me is not from man, 12for I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was intensely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it; 14and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for the traditions of my forefathers. 15But when it pleased Him, who had set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son to me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, 19but I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20(In what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying!) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was still not personally known to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23they were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us now preaches the gospel of faith he once tried to destroy,” 24and they were continually glorifying God because of me.
Chapter 2
1Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2I went up because of a revelation, and I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so privately to those of reputation, concerned that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4This came up because of the false brethren secretly brought in (who snuck in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into bondage), 5but not even for a moment did we give in to them, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6And from those who were of reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism) – well, those who were of reputation added nothing to me. 7But on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised, 8(for He who worked through Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised also worked through me to the Gentiles), 9and recognized the grace that had been given to me, James, Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we would go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.[c] 12For before certain men came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he began drawing back and separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision. 13The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with them in their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were not acting consistently[d] with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
15We who are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles, 16knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, since by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified. 17But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Absolutely not! 18For if I rebuild what I once tore down, I demonstrate myself to be a transgressor. 19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
Chapter 3
1Oh foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2This is all I want to learn from you: Was it by the works of the law that you received the Spirit, or through the message of faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4Have you suffered so many things for nothing – if indeed it was for nothing? 5So then, does He who gives you the Spirit and works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or through the message of faith?
6Just as Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness,[e] 7know then that those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”[f] 9So then those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not remain faithful in all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”[g] 11But that no one is justified by the law before God is clear, for the righteous man shall live by faith,[h] 12and the law is not of faith, but rather, he who practices these things shall live by them.[i] 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”[j]), 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, in order that we might receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
15Brethren, speaking in human terms: even with a human covenant, once it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds to it. 16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, “And to descendants,” referring to many, but rather, “And to your descendant,”[k] referring to one, that is, Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise, 18for if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19Why the law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been administered through angels by the hand of a mediator, until the descendant might come to whom the promise had been made. 20Now a mediator is not for only one person, but God is only one. 21Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would certainly have been based on the law. 22But the Scripture has shut up all things under sin so that the promise, by faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23But before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being shut up until the coming faith would be revealed. 24So then, the law became our guardian[l] until Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.[m] 26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of you who were placed into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, 29and if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to promise.
Chapter 4
1Now I say, as long as an heir is a child, he is no different than a slave, even though he is the master of all, 2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3So also we, while we were children, were enslaved to the elementary things of the world. 4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7So then, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
8But at that time, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those which by nature are not gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary things to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
12I beg you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13You know it was because of a physical illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself! 15Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have pulled out your own eyes and given them to me! 16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17They eagerly commit themselves to you, but not honestly; they want to shut you out so that you will commit yourselves to them. 18However, it is good to always commit yourselves to good, and not only when I am present with you.
19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you, 20I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
21Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman. 23But the one by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. 24These things I speak allegorically, for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bare; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate are more numerous than those of the one who has a husband.”[n] 28But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30But what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”[o] 31So then, brethren, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.
Chapter 5
1For this freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2Listen! I, Paul, am saying to you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you! 3And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4You have been alienated from Christ, you who would be justified by law; you have fallen away from grace! 5For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly awaiting the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any value, but only faith working through love.
7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion is not from Him who calls you! 9A little yeast is leavening the whole lump of dough! 10I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will accept no other view; but the one who is troubling you will bear his judgment, whoever he might be. 11But as for me, brethren, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been removed. 12How I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves!
13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[p] 15But if you are biting and devouring one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these, about which I am forewarning you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Chapter 6
1Brethren, if a person is caught up in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, keeping watch on yourselves, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and in so doing you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one examine his own work, and then with regard to himself alone he will have reason for pride, and not with regard to another. 5For each one shall bear his own load.
6Now, let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches it. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap. 8For the one sowing to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one sowing to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9So let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do lose heart. 10Therefore, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
11See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand!
12It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they might not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For not even those who are circumcised obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so they might boast in your flesh. 14But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17From now on, let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
[a] or “contrary to”
[b] or “contrary to”
[c] lit “stood condemned”
[d] lit “walking in line”
[e] quotation from Genesis 15:6
[f] quotation from Genesis 12:3; 18:18
[g] quotation from Deuteronomy 27:26
[h] quotation from Habakkuk 2:4
[i] quotation from Leviticus 18:5
[j] quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23
[k] quotation from Genesis 13:15
[l] or “disciplinarian”
[m] or “disciplinarian”
[n] Quotation from Isaiah 54:1
[o] quotation from Genesis 21:10
[p] quotation from Leviticus 19:18
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