Galatians 2:15-3:5

New International Version

¹⁵ “We who are Jews by birth^(A) and not sinful Gentiles^{(B) 16} know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,^(C) but by faith in Jesus Christ.^(D) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in^[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.^(E)

¹⁷ “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners,^(F) doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!^{(G) 18} If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

¹⁹ “For through the law I died to the law^(H) so that I might live for God.^{(I) 20} I have been crucified with Christ^(J) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(K) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,^(L) who loved me^(M) and gave himself for me.^{(N) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,^(O) Christ died for nothing!”^[b]

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish^(P) Galatians!^(Q) Who has bewitched you?^(R) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.^{(S) 2} I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit^(T) by the works of the law,^(U) or by believing what you heard?^{(V) 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^{[c] 4} Have you experienced^[d] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles^(W) among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?^(X)