Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

1 Paul, an apostle—[sent] not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God [the] Father, who raised Him from [the] dead—

2 and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace and peace to you from God [the] Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,[fn] 4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom [be] glory forever [and] ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the [One who] called you by [the] grace of Christ [and are turning] to a different gospel—7 which is not even [a gospel]. Evidently some [people] are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel[fn] contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 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, let him be under a curse!

Paul Preaches the Gospel

10 {Am I} now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For[fn] if I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 But[fn] I want you to know brothers, [that] the gospel I preached was not devised by man.[fn] 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught [it]; rather, [ I received it ] by revelation from Jesus Christ.[fn]

13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries [and] was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called [me] by His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles [who came] before me, but I went into Arabia and [later] returned to Damascus.

18 Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Peter,[fn] and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

21 Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that [are] in Christ. 23 They only heard the account: “The [man who] formerly persecuted us {is} now preaching the faith {he} once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

The Council at Jerusalem

(Acts 15:5–21)

2 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus {along} also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But [I spoke] privately to those recognized as leaders, [for fear that] I was running or had already run in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who [was] with me, was compelled to be circumcised, [even though] he was a Greek.

4 [This issue arose] because [some] false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5 We did {not} give in to [them] for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

6 But as for the highly esteemed whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism those leaders added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted [to preach] the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter [ had been ] to the circumcised. 8 For the [One who] was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my [apostleship] to the Gentiles.

9 And recognizing the grace [that] I had been given, James Cephas,[fn] and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas [the] right hand of fellowship, so that we [ should go ] to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 [They] only [asked us] to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Confronts Cephas

11 When Peter[fn] came to Antioch, however, I opposed [him] to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in [the] circumcision [ group ]. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter[fn] in front of [them] all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”[fn]

15 We [who are] Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners” 16 know that a man is not justified by works of [the] law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.[fn] So we, too have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself [to be] a lawbreaker.

19 For through [the] law I died to [the] law so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The [life] I live in [the] body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness [comes] through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Faith and Belief

(James 2:14–26)

3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you not to obey the truth?[fn] Before [your very] eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you[fn] [as] crucified. 2 I would like to learn just [one thing] from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3 Are you so foolish? After starting in [the] Spirit, are you now finishing in [the] flesh? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5 {Does} [God] lavish [His] Spirit on you and work miracles among you because [you] practice the law, or because [you] hear [and] believe?

6 So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[fn] 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, [and] foretold the gospel to Abraham “All nations will be blessed through you.”[fn] 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the [man] of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[fn] 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by [the] law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”[fn] 12 The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who[fn] does these things will live by them.”[fn]

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”[fn] 14 [He redeemed us] in order that the blessing promised to Abraham[fn] would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Purpose of the Law

(Romans 7:1–6)

15 Brothers, let me put this in human terms Even a human covenant once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. [The Scripture ] does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,”[fn] meaning One, who is Christ.

17 What I mean [is] this: [The] law that came 430 years later does not revoke [the] covenant previously established by God in Christ,[fn] so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on [the] law, [then it] no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted [it] to Abraham through a promise.

19 Why then [ was ] the law [ given ]? It was added because of transgressions, until [the] arrival of the seed to whom [the] promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator is unnecessary, however, [ for only ] one [ party ]; but God is one.

21 [Is] the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness {would} certainly have come from [the] law. 22 But the Scripture [ pronounces ] all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

23 Before [this] faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now [that] faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons through Faith in Christ

26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you [who] were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male [nor] female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to [the] promise.

Sons and Heirs

4 [What] I am saying [is that] as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, [although] he is the owner of everything. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by [his] father.

3 So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles[fn] of the world. 4 But when the time {had} fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under [the] law, 5 to redeem those under [the] law, that we might receive [our] adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into your[fn] hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since [you are] a son, [you are] also an heir of God through Christ.[fn]

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how [is it that] you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by [them] all over again? 10 You are observing [special] days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, [that] my efforts for you may have been in vain. 12 I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong

13 You know that it was because of an illness [that] I first preached the gospel to you. 14 And [although] my [illness] [was a] trial to me,[fn] you did not despise [or] reject [me]. Instead, you welcomed me as if [I were] an angel of God, as if [I were] Christ Jesus [Himself]. 15 What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if [it were] possible, you would have torn out your eyes [and] given [them] to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy [by] telling you the truth

17 [Those people] are zealous for you [but] not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. 18 Nevertheless, [it is] good to be zealous if it serves a noble [purpose]—at any time, and not only when I am with you.

19 My little children,[fn] for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 [how] I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.

Hagar and Sarah

(Genesis 21:9–21)

21 Tell me, [you] who want to be under [the] law, do you not understand [what] the law [says]? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and [the other] by the free [woman].[fn] 23 His [son] by the slave woman was born according to [the] flesh, [but] [his son] by the free [woman] [was born] through the promise.

24 These [things] serve as illustrations, for [the women] represent two[fn] covenants. One [covenant] [is] from Mount Sinai [and bears] children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25 For[fn] Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, and[fn] she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, [and she] is [the] mother of us all.[fn]

27 For it is written: “Rejoice, [O] barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, [you] who {have} never travailed; because more [are] the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”[fn]

28 Now we,[fn] brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time, however, the [son] born by [the] flesh persecuted the [son born] by [the] Spirit. [It is] the same now.

30 But what {does} the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free [woman’s] son.”[fn] 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of [the] slave woman, but of the free [woman].

Freedom in Christ

5 In the freedom with which Christ has set us free stand firm, then, and {do} not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

2 Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you {at all}. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 {You} who are [trying] to be justified by [the] law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

5 [But] by faith we eagerly await through [the] Spirit [the] hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value All that matters is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? 8 [Such] persuasion [does] not [come] from the [One] who calls you. 9 A little leaven works through the whole batch [of dough]. 10 I am confident in [the] Lord that you will take no other view The [one who is] troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

11 Now, brothers, if I {am} still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but [do] not [use] [your] freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[fn] 15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, [or] you will be consumed by one another.

Walking by the Spirit

(Ezekiel 36:16–38, Romans 8:9–11)

16 So I say, walk by [the] Spirit, and you will not gratify [the] desires [of the] flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. [They] are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by [the] Spirit, you are not under [the] law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: adultery,[fn] sexual immorality, impurity, [and] debauchery; 20 idolatry [and] sorcery; hostilities,[fn] quarrels,[fn] jealousies,[fn] [and] rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 envy, [and] murders;[fn] drunkenness, orgies, and the like I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit [the] kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, [and] self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who [belong to] Christ[fn] have crucified the flesh with [its] passions and desires. 25 Since we live by [the] Spirit, let us walk in step with [the] Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking [and] envying one another.

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. [But] watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4 Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. 5 For each one should carry his own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with [his] instructor.

7 {Do} not be deceived: God {is} not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8 The [one] who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the [one] who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

9 Let us not grow weary [in] well-doing for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Final Warnings and Blessings

11 See [what] large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. [They] only [ do this ] to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.[fn] 13 For the circumcised {do} not even keep [the] law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But as for me, may {I} never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[fn] [the] world has been crucified to me, and I [to the] world. 15 For in Christ Jesus[fn] neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. [What counts is] a new creation.

16 Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.

17 From now on {let} no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.[fn]

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit, brothers. Amen.