1:1Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead), 1:2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies
of Galatia:
1:3Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4who gave himself
for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God
and Father -- 1:5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1:6I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel; 1:7and there isn't another gospel. Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 1:8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 1:9As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 1:10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. 1:11But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 1:12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 1:14I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 1:15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 1:16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn't immediately confer with flesh and blood, 1:17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 1:18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 1:19But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord's brother. 1:20Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I'm not lying. 1:21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 1:23but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." 1:24They glorified God in me.
2:1Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2:2I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 2:3But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 2:4This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 2:5to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 2:6But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn't show partiality to man) -- they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 2:7but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel for the circumcision 2:8(for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles); 2:9and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 2:10They only asked us to remember the poor -- which very thing I was also zealous to do. 2:11But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. 2:12For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 2:13And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so much that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 2:14But when I saw that they didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?
2:15"We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, 2:16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 2:17But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? God forbid! 2:18For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 2:19For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. 2:20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 2:21I don't make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"
3:1Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth among you as crucified? 3:2I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? 3:4Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain? 3:5He therefore that supplies the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? 3:6Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." 3:7Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 3:8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you will all the nations be blessed." 3:9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them." 3:11Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, "The righteous will live by faith." 3:12The law is not of faith, but, "The man who does them will live by them." 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree," 3:14that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 3:15Brothers, I speak like men. Though it is only a man's covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 3:16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ. 3:17Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 3:18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
3:19What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 3:20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most assuredly righteousness would have been of the law. 3:22But the Scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 3:23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 3:24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 3:25But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. 3:26For you are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 3:29If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to promise.
4:1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all; 4:2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father. 4:3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements of the world. 4:4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, 4:5that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 4:6And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" 4:7So you are no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 4:8However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are no gods. 4:9But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elements, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again? 4:10You observe days, months, seasons, and years. 4:11I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you. 4:12I beg you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong, 4:13but you know that because of weakness of the flesh I preached the gospel to you the first time. 4:14That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn't despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
4:15What was the blessing you enjoyed? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 4:16So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 4:17They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them. 4:18But it is always good to be zealous in a good cause, and not only when I am present with you.
4:19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ is formed in you-- 4:20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. 4:21Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, don't you listen to the law? 4:22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman. 4:23However, the son by the handmaid was born according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise. 4:24These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. 4:25For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 4:26But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 4:27For it is written,
"Rejoice, you barren who don't bear.
Break forth and shout, you that don't travail.
For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband."
4:28Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 4:29But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 4:30However what does the Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman." 4:31So then, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free woman.
5:1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 5:2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. 5:3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 5:4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 5:5For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. 5:7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? 5:8This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 5:9A little yeast grows through the whole lump. 5:10I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
5:11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling-block of the cross has been removed. 5:12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off. 5:13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. 5:14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 5:15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don't consume one another. 5:16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. 5:17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that you may not do the things that you desire. 5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 5:21envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 5:23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 5:25If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit. 5:26Let's not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
6:1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. 6:2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3For if a man thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4But let each man test his own work, and then he will take pride in himself and not in his neighbor. 6:5For each man will bear his own burden. 6:6But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches. 6:7Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. 6:8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 6:9Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up. 6:10So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
6:11See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand. 6:12As many as desire to look good in the flesh, they compel you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 6:13For even they who receive circumcision don't keep the law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh. 6:14But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 6:16As many as will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God's Israel. 6:17From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. 6:18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
[1] back to 4:6 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Chaldee word for "Father" or "Daddy" used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.