Galatians

Salutation

1:1 From Paul,1 an apostle (not from men, nor by human agency, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead) 1:2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia. 1:3 Grace and peace to you2 from God the Father and our3 Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.

Occasion of the Letter

1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one4 who called you by the grace of Christ and following5 a different6 gospel-- 1:7 not that there really is another gospel,7 but8 there are some who are disturbing you and wanting9 to distort the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach10 a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you,11 let him be condemned to hell!12 1:9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!13 1:10 Am I now trying to gain the approval of people,14 or of God? Or am I trying to please people?15 If I were still trying to please16 people,17 I would not be a slave18 of Christ!

Paul's Vindication of His Apostleship

1:11 Now19 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,20 that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.21 1:12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source;22 instead I received it23 by a revelation of Jesus Christ.24

1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life25 in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. 1:14 I26 was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation,27 and was28 extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.29 1:15 But when the one30 who set me apart from birth31 and called me by his grace was pleased 1:16 to reveal his Son in32 me so that I could preach him33 among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from34 any human being,35 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia,36 and then returned to Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas37 and get information from him,38 and I stayed with him fifteen days. 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles39 except James the Lord's brother. 1:20 I assure you40 that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!41 1:21 Afterwards I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22 But I was personally42 unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 1:23 They were only hearing, "The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news43 of the faith he once tried to destroy." 1:24 So44 they glorified God because of me.45

Confirmation from the Jerusalem Apostles

2:1Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. 2:2 I went there1 because of2 a revelation and presented3 to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so4 only in a private meeting with the influential people,5 to make sure that I was not running--or had not run6--in vain. 2:3 Yet7 not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. 2:4 Now this matter arose8 because of the false brothers with false pretenses9 who slipped in unnoticed to spy on10 our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves.11 2:5 But12 we did not surrender to them13 even for a moment,14 in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.15

2:6 But from those who were influential16 (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people17)--those influential leaders18 added19 nothing to my message.20 2:7 On the contrary, when they saw21 that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised22 just as Peter was to the circumcised23 2:8 (for he who empowered24 Peter for his apostleship25 to the circumcised26 also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles)27 2:9 and when James, Cephas,28 and John, who had a reputation as29 pillars,30 recognized31 the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me32 the right hand of fellowship, agreeing33 that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.34 2:10 They requested35 only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.

Paul Rebukes Peter

2:11 But when Cephas36 came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.37 2:12 Until38 certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this39 and separated himself40 because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.41 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them42 by their hypocrisy. 2:14 But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas43 in front of them all, "If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force44 the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

Jews and Gentiles are Justified by Faith

2:15 We are Jews by birth45 and not Gentile sinners,46 2:16 yet we know47 that no one48 is justified by the works of the law49 but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.50 And51 we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ52 and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one53 will be justified. 2:17 But if while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages54 sin? Absolutely not! 2:18 But if I build up again those things I once destroyed,55 I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God's law.56 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ,57 and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So58 the life I now live in the body,59 I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God,60 who loved me and gave himself for me. 2:21 I do not set aside61 God's grace, because if righteousness62 could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!63

Justification by Law or by Faith?

3:1 You1 foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell2 on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed3 as crucified! 3:2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law4 or by believing what you heard?5 3:3 Are you so foolish? Although you began6 with7 the Spirit, are you now trying to finish8 by human effort?9 3:4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing? --if indeed it was for nothing. 3:5 Does God then give10 you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law11 or by your believing what you heard?12

3:6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,13 3:7 so then, understand14 that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.15 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time,16 saying, "All the nations17 will be blessed in you."18 3:9 So then those who believe19 are blessed along with Abraham the believer. 3:10 For all who20 rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law."21 3:11 Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith.22 3:12 But the law is not based on faith,23 but the one who does the works of the law24 will live by them.25 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming26 a curse for us (because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree")27 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles,28 so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

Inheritance Comes from Promises and not Law

3:15 Brothers and sisters,29 I offer an example from everyday life:30 when a covenant31 has been ratified,32 even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it. 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant.33 Scripture34 does not say, "and to the descendants,"35 referring to many, but "and to your descendant,"36 referring to one, who is Christ. 3:17 What I am saying is this: the law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God,37 so as to invalidate the promise. 3:18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave38 it to Abraham through the promise.

3:19 Why then was the law given?39 It was added40 because of transgressions,41 until the arrival of the descendant42 to whom the promise had been made. It was administered43 through angels by an intermediary.44 3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one.45 3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God?46 Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.47 3:22 But the scripture imprisoned48 everything and everyone49 under sin so that the promise could be given--because of the faithfulness50 of Jesus Christ--to those who believe.

Sons of God Are Heirs of Promise

3:23 Now before faith51 came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners52 until the coming faith would be revealed. 3:24 Thus the law had become our guardian53 until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous54 by faith. 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.55 3:26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.56 3:27 For all of you who57 were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave58 nor free, there is neither male nor female59--for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants,60 heirs according to the promise.

4:1 Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor,1 is no different from a slave, though he is the owner2 of everything. 4:2 But he is under guardians3 and managers until the date set by his4 father. 4:3 So also we, when we were minors,5 were enslaved under the basic forces6 of the world. 4:4 But when the appropriate time7 had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.8 4:6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls9 "Abba!10 Father!" 4:7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are11 a son, then you are also an heir through God.

Heirs of Promise Are Not to Return to Law

4:8 Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all.12 4:9 But 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 worthless13 basic forces?14 Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?15 4:10 You are observing religious16 days and months and seasons and years. 4:11 I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain. 4:12 I beg you, brothers and sisters,17 become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

Personal Appeal of Paul

4:13 But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you, 4:14 and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me.18 Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God,19 as though I were Christ Jesus himself!20 4:15 Where then is your sense of happiness21 now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me! 4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?22

4:17 They court you eagerly,23 but for no good purpose;24 they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly.25 4:18 However, it is good26 to be sought eagerly27 for a good purpose28 at all times, and not only when I am present with you. 4:19 My children--I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you!29 4:20 I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice,30 because I am perplexed about you.

An Appeal from Allegory

4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law?31 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the32 slave woman and the other by the free woman. 4:23 But one, the son by the slave woman, was born by natural descent,33 while the other, the son by the free woman, was born through the promise. 4:24 These things may be treated as an allegory,34 for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. 4:25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free,35 and she is our mother. 4:27 For it is written:

4:28 But you,38 brothers and sisters,39 are children of the promise like Isaac. 4:29 But just as at that time the one born by natural descent40 persecuted the one born according to the Spirit,41 so it is now. 4:30 But 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"42 of the free woman. 4:31 Therefore, brothers and sisters,43 we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

Freedom of the Believer

5:1 For freedom1 Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke2 of slavery. 5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 5:3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey3 the whole law. 5:4 You who are trying to be declared righteous4 by the law have been alienated5 from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight--the only thing that matters is faith working through love.6

5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying7 the truth? 5:8 This persuasion8 does not come from the one who calls you! 5:9 A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise!9 5:10 I am confident10 in the Lord that you will accept no other view.11 But the one who is confusing12 you will pay the penalty,13 whoever he may be. 5:11 Now, brothers and sisters,14 if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?15 In that case the offense of the cross16 has been removed.17 5:12 I wish those agitators18 would go so far as to19 castrate themselves!20

Practice Love

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;21 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh,22 but through love serve one another.23 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment,24 namely, "You must love your neighbor as yourself."25 5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another,26 beware that you are not consumed27 by one another. 5:16 But I say, live28 by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.29 5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires30 that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to31 each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh32 are obvious:33 sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery,34 hostilities,35 strife,36 jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions,37 factions, 5:21 envying,38 murder,39 drunkenness, carousing,40 and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit41 is love,42 joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,43 5:23 gentleness, and44 self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ45 have crucified the flesh46 with its passions47 and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with48 the Spirit. 5:26 Let us not become conceited,49 provoking50 one another, being jealous51 of one another.

Support One Another

6:1 Brothers and sisters,1 if a person2 is discovered in some sin,3 you who are spiritual4 restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.5 Pay close attention6 to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 6:2 Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4 Let each one examine7 his own work. Then he can take pride8 in himself and not compare himself with9 someone else. 6:5 For each one will carry10 his own load.

6:6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches11 it. 6:7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool.12 For a person13 will reap what he sows, 6:8 because the person who sows to his own flesh14 will reap corruption15 from the flesh,16 but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 6:9 So we must not grow weary17 in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.18 6:10 So then,19 whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.20

Final Instructions and Benediction

6:11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!

6:12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters21 are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so22 only to avoid being persecuted23 for the cross of Christ. 6:13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.24 6:14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which25 the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 6:15 For26 neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for27 anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation!28 6:16 And all who will behave29 in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.30

6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.31

6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be32 with your spirit, brothers and sisters.33 Amen.