2 Corinthians 10 - Galatians 4

Christian Standard Bible

Paul’s Apostolic Authority

10 Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent. ² I beg you that when I am present I will not need to be bold with the confidence by which I plan to challenge certain people who think we are living according to the flesh.^{(A) 3} For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare^(B) are not of the flesh, but are powerful^(C) through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge^(D) of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

⁷ Look at what is obvious.^[a] If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ,^(E) let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we. ⁸ For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up^(F) and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame. ⁹ I don’t want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters. ¹⁰ For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak and his public speaking amounts to nothing.” ¹¹ Let such a person consider this: What we are in our letters, when we are absent, we will also be in our actions when we are present.

¹² For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend^(G) themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves,^(H) they lack understanding.^{(I) 13} We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned^(J) to us, which reaches even to you. ¹⁴ For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. ¹⁵ We are not boasting beyond measure about other people’s labors. On the contrary, we have the hope^(K) that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, ¹⁶ so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you^(L) without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry.^{(M) 17} So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^{[b](N) 18} For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.^(O)

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I wish you would put up with a little foolishness^(P) from me. Yes, do put up with me!^{[c] 2} For I am jealous^(Q) for you with a godly jealousy,^(R) because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure^(S) virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear that, as the serpent^(T) deceived^(U) Eve^(V) by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a sincere and pure^[d] devotion to Christ.^{(W) 4} For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus,^(X) whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,^(Y) which you had not received, or a different gospel,^(Z) which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!

⁵ Now I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”^{(AA) 6} Even if I am untrained in public speaking,^(AB) I am certainly not untrained in knowledge.^(AC) Indeed, we have in every way made that clear to you in everything. ⁷ Or did I commit a sin by humbling^(AD) myself so that you might be exalted,^(AE) because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?^{(AF) 8} I robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you. ⁹ When I was present with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, since the brothers who came from Macedonia^(AG) supplied my needs.^(AH) I have kept myself, and will keep myself, from burdening you in any way. ¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped^[e] in the regions of Achaia.^{(AI) 11} Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows I do!

¹² But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny^[f] an opportunity to those who want to be regarded as our equals in what they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(AJ) deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.^(AK)

Paul’s Sufferings for Christ

¹⁶ I repeat: Let no one consider me a fool. But if you do, at least accept me as a fool so that I can also boast a little. ¹⁷ What I am saying in this matter^[g] of boasting, I don’t speak as the Lord would, but as it were, foolishly. ¹⁸ Since many boast according to the flesh, I will also boast. ¹⁹ For you, being so wise, gladly put up with fools!^{(AL) 20} In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits^(AM) you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps^(AN) you in the face. ²¹ I say this to our shame: We have been too weak for that!

But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare: ²² Are they Hebrews?^(AO) So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the descendants of Abraham?^(AP) So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.

²⁴ Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews.^{(AQ) 25} Three times I was beaten with rods.^(AR) Once I received a stoning.^(AS) Three times I was shipwrecked.^(AT) I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. ²⁶ On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers,^(AU) dangers from my own people,^(AV) dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; ²⁷ toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing.^{(AW) 28} Not to mention^[h] other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble,^(AX) and I do not burn with indignation?

³⁰ If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses. ³¹ The God and Father^(AY) of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, knows I am not lying. ³² In Damascus,^(AZ) a ruler^[i] under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me. ³³ So I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.^(BA)

Sufficient Grace

12 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions^(BB) and revelations^(BC) of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who was caught up^(BD) to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise^(BE) and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

⁶ For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth.^(BF) But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, ⁷ especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh^(BG) was given to me, a messenger of Satan^(BH) to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. ⁸ Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power^(BI) is perfected in weakness.”^(BJ)

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ.^(BK) For when I am weak, then I am strong.^(BL)

Signs of an Apostle

¹¹ I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.^{(BM) 12} The signs^(BN) of an apostle^(BO) were performed with unfailing endurance among you, including signs and wonders^(BP) and miracles.^{(BQ) 13} So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

¹⁴ Look, I am ready to come to you this third time.^(BR) I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children. ¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for you.^[j](BS) If I love you more, am I to be loved less? ¹⁶ Now granted, I did not burden^(BT) you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!^{(BU) 17} Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you? ¹⁸ I urged Titus^(BV) to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit^(BW) and in the same footsteps?

¹⁹ Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.^{(BX) 20} For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling,^(BY) jealousy,^(BZ) angry outbursts, selfish ambitions,^(CA) slander,^(CB) gossip, arrogance, and disorder.^{(CC) 21} I fear that when I come my God will again^[k] humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented^(CD) of the moral impurity, sexual immorality,^(CE) and sensuality^(CF) they practiced.

Final Warnings and Exhortations

13 This is the third time I am coming to you.^(CG) Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.^{[l](CH) 2} I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning^(CI) while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, ³ since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me.^(CJ) He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. ⁴ For he was crucified^(CK) in weakness, but he lives^(CL) by the power of God. For we also are weak in him,^(CM) but in dealing with you we will live^(CN) with him by God’s power.

⁵ Test^(CO) yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.^{[m] 6} And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test. ⁷ But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right,^(CP) even though we may appear to fail. ⁸ For we can’t do anything against the truth,^(CQ) but only for the truth. ⁹ We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong.^(CR) We also pray that you become fully mature.^{[n] 10} This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up^(CS) and not for tearing down.^(CT)

¹¹ Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice.^[o] Become mature, be encouraged,^[p] be of the same mind,^(CU) be at peace,^(CV) and the God of love^(CW) and peace will be with you. ¹² Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(CX) All the saints send you greetings.

¹³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love^(CY) of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.^[q](CZ)

Greeting

1 Paul,^(DA) an apostle—not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father^(DB) who raised him from the dead^(DC)— ² and all the brothers who are with me:

To the churches of Galatia.^(DD)

³ Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord^[r] Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins^(DE) to rescue us from this present evil age,^(DF) according to the will of our God and Father.^{(DG) 5} To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called^(DH) you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another gospel,^(DI) but there are some^(DJ) who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel^(DK) from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you,^(DL) a curse be on him!^{[s] 9} As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received,^(DM) a curse be on him!

¹⁰ For am I now trying to persuade people,^[t] or God?^(DN) 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

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. ¹² For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation^(DO) of Jesus Christ.^(DP)

¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life^(DQ) in Judaism:^(DR) I intensely persecuted^(DS) God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.^{(DT) 15} But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called^(DU) me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son^(DV) in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^{[u] 17} I did not go up to Jerusalem^(DW) to those who had become apostles^(DX) before me; instead I went to Arabia^(DY) and came back to Damascus.^(DZ)

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem^(EA) to get to know Cephas,^[v](EB) and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James,^(EC) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria^(ED) and Cilicia.^{(EE) 22} I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted^(EF) us now preaches the faith^(EG) he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.^[w]

Paul Defends His Gospel at Jerusalem

2 Then after fourteen years I went up again^(EH) to Jerusalem with Barnabas,^(EI) taking Titus^(EJ) along also. ² I went up according to a revelation^(EK) 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. ³ But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. ⁴ This matter arose because some false brothers^(EL) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. ⁵ But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the truth^(EM) of the gospel would be preserved for you.

⁶ Now from those recognized as important (what they^[x] once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism^[y](EN))—they added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised,^(EO) just as Peter^(EP) was for the circumcised, ⁸ since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. ⁹ When James,^(EQ) Cephas,^[z](ER) and John^(ES)—those recognized as pillars^(ET)—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. ¹⁰ They asked only that we would remember the poor,^(EU) which I had made every effort to do.

Freedom from the Law

¹¹ But when Cephas^[aa] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.^{[ab] 12} For 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. ¹³ Then the rest of the Jews^(EV) joined his hypocrisy,^(EW) so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas^[ac] in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile^(EX) and not like a Jew,^(EY) how can you compel Gentiles to live^(EZ) like Jews?” ^[ad]

¹⁵ We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” ¹⁶ and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law^(FA) but by faith in Jesus Christ,^[ae] even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ^[af] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will^[ag] be justified. ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ,^(FB) is Christ then a promoter^[ah](FC) of sin? Absolutely not!^{(FD) 18} If I rebuild^(FE) those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.^{(FF) 19} For through the law I died to the law,^(FG) so that I might live for God.^{(FH) 20} I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(FI) The life I now live in the body,^[ai] I live by faith in the Son of God,^(FJ) who loved^(FK) me^(FL) and gave himself^(FM) for me.^{(FN) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,^(FO) then Christ died^(FP) for nothing.

Justification through Faith

3 You foolish^(FQ) Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you,^[aj] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed^[ak] as crucified?^{(FR) 2} I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard?^{[al] 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? ⁴ Did you experience^[am](FS) so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? ⁵ So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles^(FT) among you by your doing the works of the law? Or is it by believing what you heard— ⁶ just like Abraham who believed God,^(FU) and it was credited to him for righteousness?^[an](FV)

⁷ You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons.^{(FW) 8} Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham,^(FX) saying, All the nations^[ao] will be blessed through you.^{[ap](FY) 9} Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham,^(FZ) who had faith.^[aq]

Law and Promise

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,^(GA) because it is written,^(GB) Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.^{[ar](GC) 11} Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live^(GD) by faith.^{[as](GE) 12} But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.^{[at](GF) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,^(GG) because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.^{[au](GH) 14} The 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.^(GI)

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.^{[av] 16} Now 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,^[aw](GJ) who is Christ. ¹⁷ My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,^(GK) does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God^[ax] and thus cancel the promise. ¹⁸ For 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

¹⁹ Why, then, was the law given?^(GL) It was added for the sake of transgressions^[ay] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels^(GM) by means of a mediator.^{(GN) 20} Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.^{(GO) 21} Is 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. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin’s power,^[az](GP) so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith^(GQ) in Jesus Christ to those who believe.^{(GR) 23} Before this faith^(GS) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(GT) 24} The law, then, was our guardian until Christ,^(GU) so that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But since that faith^(GV) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.^{(GW) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(GX) male and female;^(GY) since you are all one^(GZ) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs^(HA) according to the promise.^(HB)

4 Now I say that as long as the heir^(HC) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(HD) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements^[ba] of the world.^{(HE) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,^(HF) born of a woman,^(HG) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(HH) 6} And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(HI) into our^[bb] hearts, crying, “Abba,^[bc] Father!” ^{(HJ) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(HK) but a son,^(HL) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.^(HM)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, since you didn’t know God,^(HN) you were enslaved to things^[bd] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,^(HO) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless^(HP) elements?^(HQ) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(HR) 11} I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

¹² I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; ¹³ you know^[be] that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. ¹⁴ You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.^[bf] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?^{(HS) 17} They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. ¹⁸ But it is always good to be pursued^[bg] in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My children,^(HT) I am again suffering labor pains^(HU) for you until Christ is formed in you. ²⁰ I 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

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham^(HV) had two sons, one by a slave^(HW) and the other by a free woman. ²³ But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. ²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai^(HX) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.^{(HY) 25} Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia^(HZ) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,^(IA) for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above^(IB) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,^(IC)

²⁸ Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,^(IF) are children of promise.^{(IG) 29} But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,^(IH) so also now.^{(II) 30} But 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.”^{[bi](IJ) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.^(IK)