Released From the Law, Bound to Christ

7 Do you not know, brothers and sisters^(A)—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? ² For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him.^{(B) 3} So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress.^(C) But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

⁴ So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law^(D) through the body of Christ,^(E) that you might belong to another,^(F) to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵ For when we were in the realm of the flesh,^[a](G) the sinful passions aroused by the law^(H) were at work in us,^(I) so that we bore fruit for death.^{(J) 6} But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law^(K) so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.^(L)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(M) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(N) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(O) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^{[b](P) 8} But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(Q) produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead.^{(R) 9} Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life^(S) actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,^(T) deceived me,^(U) and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.^(V)

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good^(W) to bring about my death,^(X) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual,^(Y) sold^(Z) as a slave to sin.^{(AA) 15} I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.^{(AB) 16} And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.^{(AC) 17} As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.^{(AD) 18} For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c](AE) For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.^{(AF) 20} Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.^(AG)

²¹ So I find this law at work:^(AH) Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being^(AI) I delight in God’s law;^{(AJ) 23} but I see another law at work in me, waging war^(AK) against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin^(AL) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?^{(AM) 25} Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!^(AN)

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law,^(AO) but in my sinful nature^[d] a slave to the law of sin.^(AP)

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation^(AQ) for those who are in Christ Jesus,^{(AR) 2} because through Christ Jesus^(AS) the law of the Spirit who gives life^(AT) has set you^[e] free^(AU) from the law of sin^(AV) and death. ³ For what the law was powerless^(AW) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[f](AX) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh^(AY) to be a sin offering.^[g](AZ) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement^(BA) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.^(BB)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;^(BC) but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.^{(BD) 6} The mind governed by the flesh is death,^(BE) but the mind governed by the Spirit is life^(BF) and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God;^(BG) it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh^(BH) cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh^(BI) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.^(BJ) And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,^(BK) they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you,^(BL) then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[h] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead^(BM) is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies^(BN) because of^[i] his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.^{(BO) 13} For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(BP) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(BQ) you will live.^(BR)

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God^(BS) are the children of God.^{(BT) 15} The Spirit^(BU) you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;^(BV) rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[j] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[k] Father.”^{(BW) 16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit^(BX) that we are God’s children.^{(BY) 17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs^(BZ)—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings^(CA) in order that we may also share in his glory.^(CB)

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.^{(CC) 19} For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God^(CD) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,^(CE) in hope ²¹ that^[l] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(CF) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(CG)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(CH) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(CI) groan^(CJ) inwardly as we wait eagerly^(CK) for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.^{(CL) 24} For in this hope we were saved.^(CM) But hope that is seen is no hope at all.^(CN) Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.^(CO)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit^(CP) himself intercedes for us^(CQ) through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts^(CR) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes^(CS) for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(CT) of those who love him, who^[m] have been called^(CU) according to his purpose.^{(CV) 29} For those God foreknew^(CW) he also predestined^(CX) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(CY) that he might be the firstborn^(CZ) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(DA) he also called;^(DB) those he called, he also justified;^(DC) those he justified, he also glorified.^(DD)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(DE) If God is for us,^(DF) who can be against us?^{(DG) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(DH) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(DI) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(DJ) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(DK)—more than that, who was raised to life^(DL)—is at the right hand of God^(DM) and is also interceding for us.^{(DN) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(DO) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(DP) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(DR) through him who loved us.^{(DS) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[o] neither the present nor the future,^(DT) nor any powers,^{(DU) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(DV) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(DW)

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish^(A) Galatians!^(B) Who has bewitched you?^(C) Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.^{(D) 2} I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit^(E) by the works of the law,^(F) or by believing what you heard?^{(G) 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?^{[a] 4} Have you experienced^[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? ⁵ So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles^(H) among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?^{(I) 6} So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”^[c](J)

⁷ Understand, then, that those who have faith^(K) are children of Abraham.^{(L) 8} Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”^{[d](M) 9} So those who rely on faith^(N) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.^(O)

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law^(P) are under a curse,^(Q) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”^{[e](R) 11} Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,^(S) because “the righteous will live by faith.”^{[f](T) 12} The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”^{[g](U) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law^(V) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[h](W) 14} He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,^(X) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.^(Y)

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters,^(Z) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.^(AA) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”^[i](AB) meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years^(AC) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;^(AD) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions^(AE) until the Seed^(AF) to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels^(AG) and entrusted to a mediator.^{(AH) 20} A mediator,^(AI) however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!^(AJ) For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.^{(AK) 22} But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin,^(AL) so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[j] we were held in custody^(AM) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(AN) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(AO) that we might be justified by faith.^{(AP) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(AQ)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(AR) through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(AS) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(AT) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(AU) nor is there male and female,^(AV) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(AW) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(AX) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(AY) and heirs^(AZ) according to the promise.^(BA)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(BB) under the elemental spiritual forces^[k] of the world.^{(BC) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(BD) God sent his Son,^(BE) born of a woman,^(BF) born under the law,^{(BG) 5} to redeem^(BH) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(BI) to sonship.^{[l](BJ) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(BK) into our hearts,^(BL) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[m] Father.”^{(BM) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(BN)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(BO) you were slaves^(BP) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(BQ) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(BR)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[n]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(BS) by them all over again?^{(BT) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(BU) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(BV)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(BW) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(BX) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(BY) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(BZ)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(CA) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(CB) 19} My dear children,^(CC) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(CD) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(CE) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(CF) and the other by the free woman.^{(CG) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(CH) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(CI)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(CJ) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(CL) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(CM) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(CN) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[p](CO) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(CP) but of the free woman.^(CQ)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(CR) Stand firm,^(CS) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(CT)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(CU) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(CV) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(CW) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(CX) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(CY) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(CZ) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(DA) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(DB)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(DC) Who cut in on you^(DD) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(DE) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(DF) 10} I am confident^(DG) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(DH) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(DI) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(DJ) In that case the offense^(DK) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(DL) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(DM) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[q];^(DN) rather, serve one another^(DO) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[r](DP) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(DQ) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(DR) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(DS) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[s] you want.^{(DT) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(DU) you are not under the law.^(DV)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,^(DW) impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.^(DX) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(DY)

²² But the fruit^(DZ) of the Spirit is love,^(EA) joy, peace,^(EB) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(EC) Against such things there is no law.^{(ED) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(EE) with its passions and desires.^{(EF) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(EG) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(EH) provoking and envying each other.