1Chapter
Greeting
1Paul, an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead — 2and all the brothers who are 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 to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 5To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. 5To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
10For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
10For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The Origin of Paul’s Gospel
11For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.
18Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.
21Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. 23They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.
13For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16to reveal his Son in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. 17I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus.
18Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.
21Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. 23They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.
2Chapter
Paul Defends His Gospel at Jerusalem
1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. 5But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.
6Now from those recognized as important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism )—they added nothing to me. 7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, 8since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. 9When James, Cephas, and John —those recognized as pillars —acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.
6Now from those recognized as important (what they once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism )—they added nothing to me. 7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, 8since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. 9When James, Cephas, and John —those recognized as pillars —acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.
Freedom from the Law
11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned. 12For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. 13Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?”
15We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” 16and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. 17But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. 19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, 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 comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
15We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” 16and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. 17But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! 18If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. 19For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, 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 comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.
3Chapter
Justification through Faith
1You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? 4Did you experience so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? 5So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law? Or is it by believing what you heard— 6just like Abraham who believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness?
7You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons. 8Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. 9Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.
7You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons. 8Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. 9Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.
Law and Promise
10For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed. 11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. 12But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. 14The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
15Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. 16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. 17My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise. 18For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.
15Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. 16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. 17My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God and thus cancel the promise. 18For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through the promise.
The Purpose of the Law
19Why, then, was the law given? It was added for the sake of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one. 21Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if the law had been granted with the ability to give life, then righteousness would certainly be on the basis of the law. 22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe. 23Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. 24The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. 25But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.
Sons and Heirs
27For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.
4Chapter
1Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements of the world. 4When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.
Paul’s Concern for the Galatians
8But in the past, since you didn’t know God, you were enslaved to things that by nature are not gods. 9But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? 10You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years. 11I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
12I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; 13you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. 14You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.
15Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth? 17They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. 18But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. 19My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
12I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; 13you know that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. 14You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you. On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.
15Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth? 17They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. 18But it is always good to be pursued in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. 19My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. 20I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.
Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants
21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? 22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. 23But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. 24These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery—this 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, and she is our mother. 27For it is written,
Rejoice, childless woman,
unable to give birth.
Burst into song and shout,
you who are not in labor,
for the children of the desolate woman will be many,
more numerous than those
of the woman who has a husband.
28Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
28Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of the free woman.” 31Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.
5Chapter
Freedom of the Christian
1For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. 5For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
7You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
13For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
7You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. 10I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
13For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
The Spirit versus the Flesh
16I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—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, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 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 keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—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, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 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 keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6Chapter
Carry One Another’s Burdens
1Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5For each person will have to carry his own load.
6Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 7Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
6Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 7Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
Concluding Exhortation
11Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. 12Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised —but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. 14But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. 15For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. 16May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God!
17From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
17From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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