AFV2020 - Galatians

Chapter 1

1:1  Paul, an apostle, not sent from men nor made by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead;

1:2  And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:

1:3  Grace and peace be to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

1:4  Who gave Himself for our sins, in order that He might deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father;

1:5  To Whom be the glory into the ages of eternity. Amen.

1:6  I am astonished that you are so quickly being turned away from Him Who called you into the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

1:7  Which in reality is not another gospel; but there are some who are troubling you and are desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ.

1:8  But if we, or even an angel from heaven, should preach a gospel to you that is contrary to what we have preached, LET HIM BE ACCURSED!

1:9  As we have said before, I also now say again. If anyone is preaching a gospel contrary to what you have received, LET HIM BE ACCURSED!

1:10  Now then, am I striving to please men, or God? Or am I motivated to please men? For if I am yet pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

1:11  But I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel that was preached by me is not according to man;

1:12  Because neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it by man; rather, it was by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1:13  For you heard of my former conduct when I was in Judaism, how I was excessively persecuting the church of God and was destroying it;

1:14  And I was advancing in Judaism far beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

1:15  But when it pleased God, Who selected me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace,

1:16  To reveal His own Son in me, in order that I might preach Him as the gospel among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

1:17  Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

1:18  Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days.

1:19  But I did not see any of the other apostles, except James the brother of the Lord.

1:20  (Now the things that I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.)

1:21  Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

1:22  But I was unknown by face to the churches in Judea which are in Christ;

1:23  They only heard, "The one who once persecuted us is now preaching the gospel— the faith which he once destroyed."

1:24  And they glorified God in me.

Chapter 2

2:1  Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus with me also.

2:2  And I went up according to revelation, and laid before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run in vain.

2:3  (But indeed, Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised.)

2:4  Now this meeting was private because of false brethren brought in secretly, who came in by stealth to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might bring us into bondage;

2:5  To whom we did not yield in subjection, not even for one hour, so that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

2:6  But the gospel that I preach did not come from those reputed to be something. (Whatever they were does not make any difference to me; God does not accept the person of a man.) For those who are of repute conferred nothing upon me.

2:7  But on the contrary, after seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, exactly as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel of the circumcision;

2:8  (For He Who wrought in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision wrought in me also toward the Gentiles;)

2:9  And after recognizing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, affirming that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

2:10  Their only request was that we remember the poor, which very thing I was also diligent to do.

2:11  But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face because he was to be condemned;

2:12  For before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles. However, when they came, he drew back and separated himself from the Gentiles, being afraid of those of the circumcision party.

2:13  And the rest of the Jews joined him in this hypocritical act, insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

2:14  But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of them all, "If you, being a Jew, are living like the Gentiles, and not according to Judaism, why do you compel the Gentiles to judaize?

2:15  We who are Jews by nature—and not sinners of the Gentiles—

2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by works of law , but through the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Christ Jesus in order that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law; because by works of law shall no flesh be justified.

2:17  Now then, if we are seeking to be justified in Christ, and we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? MAY IT NEVER BE!

2:18  For if I build again those things that I destroyed, I am making myself a transgressor.

2:19  For I through law died to works of law, in order that I may live to God.

2:20  I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me. For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith—that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

2:21  I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness is through works of law , then Christ died in vain."

Chapter 3

3:1  O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you into not obeying the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ, crucified, was set forth in a written public proclamation?

3:2  This only I desire to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit of God by works of law, or by the hearing of faith?

3:3  Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?

3:4  Have you suffered so many things in vain, if indeed it has been in vain?

3:5  Therefore consider this: He Who is supplying the Spirit to you, and Who is working deeds of power among you, is He doing it by works of law or by the hearing of faith?

3:6  It is exactly as it is written: "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness."

3:7  Because of this, you should understand that those who are of faith are the true sons of Abraham.

3:8  Now in the Scriptures, God, seeing in advance that He would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."

3:9  It is for this reason that those who are of faith are being blessed with the believing Abraham.

3:10  For as many as are relying on works of law are under a curse, because it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things that have been written in the book of the law to do them."

3:11  Therefore, it is evident that no one is being justified before God by means of works of law; because it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

3:12  Now then, the law is not based on faith; but, "The man who practices these things shall live in them."

3:13  Christ has 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")

3:14  In order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

3:15  Brethren (I am speaking from a human perspective), even when a man's covenant has been ratified, no one nullifies it, or adds a codicil to it.

3:16  Now to Abraham and to his Seed were the promises spoken. He does not say, "and to your seeds," as of many; but as of one, "and to your Seed," which is Christ.

3:17  Now this I say, that the covenant ratified beforehand by God to Christ cannot be annulled by the law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, so as to make the promise of no effect.

3:18  For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise. But God granted it to Abraham by promise.

3:19  Why then the law? It was placed alongside the promises for the purpose of defining transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made, having been ordained through angels in the hand of a mediator.

3:20  Now then, a mediator does not act on behalf of one; but God is one.

3:21  Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? MAY IT NEVER BE! For if a law had been given that had the power to give life, then righteousness would indeed have been by law.

3:22  But the Scriptures have shut up all things under sin, so that by the faith of Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

3:23  Now before faith came, we were guarded under law, having been shut up unto the faith that was yet to be revealed.

3:24  In this way, the law was our tutor to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

3:25  But since faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor

3:26  Because you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

3:27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

3:29  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Chapter 4

4:1  Now then, I say, for as long a time as the heir is a child, he is no different from a servant, although he be lord of all;

4:2  But he is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed beforehand by the father.

4:3  In the same way, when we were children, we were held in bondage under the elements of the world.

4:4  But when the time for the fulfillment came, God sent forth His own Son, born of a woman, born under law,

4:5  In order that He might redeem those who are under law, so that we might receive the gift of sonship from God.

4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father."

4:7  So then, you are no longer a servant, but a son. And if a son, you are also an heir of God through Christ.

4:8  Now on the one hand, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to those who are not gods by nature.

4:9  But on the other hand, after having known God—rather, after having been known by God—how is it that you are turning again to the weak and impotent elements, to which you again desire to be in bondage?

4:10  You are of your own selves observing days, and months, and times and years.

4:11  I am afraid for you, lest somehow I have labored among you in vain.

4:12  Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am, for I also am as you are: you have not wronged me in anything.

4:13  Now you know that at first I preached the gospel to you in the weakness of the flesh;

4:14  And the temptation—namely, my trial in my flesh—you despised not, nor rejected with contempt; rather, you received me as a messenger of God, even as Christ Jesus Himself.

4:15  What then was your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if it were possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

4:16  Now then, in speaking the truth to you, have I become your enemy?

4:17  They are zealous after you, but not for good; rather, they desire to exclude you, in order that you may be zealous after them.

4:18  Now it is right to be zealous in a right thing at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

4:19  My little children, for whom I am again laboring in pain until Christ has been formed in you,

4:20  I desire to be with you now, and to change my voice, because I am at a loss concerning you.

4:21  Tell me, you who desire to be under law, do you not hear the law?

4:22  For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by the maidservant, and one by the free woman.

4:23  Now on the one hand, he who came from the maidservant was born according to the flesh; but on the other hand, he who came from the free woman was born according to the promise;

4:24  Which things are allegorical, because these are the two covenants. The one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar, is engendering bondage;

4:25  Because the Mount Sinai covenant is likened to Hagar in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem; and she is in bondage with her children.

4:26  But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all;

4:27  For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren who did not bear! Break forth and cry, you who were not travailing, because many more are the children of the desolate than of her who has the husband."

4:28  Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are the children of promise.

4:29  But as it was then, so also it is now: he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit.

4:30  Nevertheless, what does the scripture say? "Cast out the maidservant and her son; for in no way shall the son of the maidservant inherit the promise with the son of the free woman."

4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the maidservant, but of the free woman.

Chapter 5

5:1  Therefore, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and do not be held again in a yoke of bondage.

5:2  Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you become circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing!

5:3  Again, I am personally testifying to every man who is being circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

5:4  You who are attempting to be justified by works of law, you are being deprived of any spiritual effect from Christ. You have fallen from grace!

5:5  For we through the Spirit are waiting for the hope of righteousness by faith;

5:6  Because in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision of any force, nor uncircumcision; rather, it is the inner working of faith through love.

5:7  You were running well. Who hindered you, persuading you not to obey the truth?

5:8  This persuasion is not coming from Him who calls you.

5:9  A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

5:10  I am persuaded concerning you in the Lord that you will be otherwise minded; and he who troubles you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

5:11  But I, brethren, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I yet being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross has been taken away.

5:12  I would that they would even make themselves eunuchs—those who are throwing you into confusion.

5:13  For you have been called unto freedom, brethren; only do not use this freedom for an occasion to the flesh; rather, serve one another with love.

5:14  For the whole law is fulfilled in this commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, watch out lest you be consumed by one another.

5:16  Now this I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

5:17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these things are opposed to each other, so that you cannot do those things you wish to do.

5:18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under works of law.

5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,

5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, jealousies, indignations, contentions, divisions, sects,

5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such things as these; concerning which I am telling you beforehand, even as I have also said in the past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,

5:23  Meekness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

5:24  But those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

5:25  If we live by the Spirit, we should also be walking by the Spirit.

5:26  We should not become vain-glorious, provoking one another and envying one another.

Chapter 6

6:1  Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in some offense, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

6:2  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

6:3  For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.

6:4  But let each one prove his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another;

6:5  For each one shall bear his own burden.

6:6  Let the one who is being taught in the Word share all his good things with the one who is teaching him.

6:7  Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

6:8  For the one who sows to his own flesh shall reap corruption from the flesh. But the one who sows to the Spirit shall reap eternal life from the Spirit.

6:9  Now we should not lose heart in doing well because we who do not faint will reap in due time.

6:10  So then, as we have opportunity, we should do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

6:11  See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand.

6:12  As many as desire to make a good impression in the flesh, these are the ones who compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ;

6:13  For those who are circumcised, neither do they keep the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised in order that they may boast in your flesh.

6:14  But as for me, MAY IT NEVER BE that I boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any spiritual force; rather, it is a new creation that avails.

6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

6:17  From this time forth, let no one trouble me, for I bear the brands of the Lord Jesus in my own body.

6:18  Brethren, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.