Galatians 3
King James Version
3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3
Authorized (King James) Version
3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Justification through Faith
3 You foolish(A) Galatians! Who has hypnotized you,[a] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed[b] as crucified?(B) 2 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?[c] 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?[d] 4 Did you suffer(C) so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? 5 So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles(D) among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?[e]
6 Just as Abraham believed God,(E) and it was credited to him for righteousness,(F)[f] 7 then understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s sons.(G) 8 Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham,(H) saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.(I)[g] 9 So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham,(J) who had faith.[h]
Law and Promise
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,(K) because it is written:(L) Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.(M)[i] 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live(N) by faith.(O)[j] 12 But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.(P)[k] 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,(Q) because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.(R)[l] 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.(S)
15 Brothers, I’m using a human illustration.[m] No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant[n] that has been ratified. 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,(T)[o] who is Christ. 17 And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later,(U) does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God[p] and cancel the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
The Purpose of the Law
19 Why then was the law given?(V) It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels(W) by means of a mediator.(X) 20 Now a mediator is not for just one person, but God is one.(Y) 21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. 22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power,[q](Z) so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ(AA) might be given to those who believe.(AB) 23 Before this faith(AC) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.(AD) 24 The law, then, was our guardian[r] until Christ,(AE) so that we could be justified by faith. 25 But since that faith(AF) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Sons and Heirs
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment.(AG) 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,(AH) male or female;(AI) for you are all one(AJ) in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs(AK) according to the promise.(AL)
Footnotes
- Galatians 3:1 Other mss add not to obey the truth
- Galatians 3:1 Other mss add among you
- Galatians 3:2 Lit by law works or faith hearing or hearing the message
- Galatians 3:3 By human effort
- Galatians 3:5 Lit by law works or faith hearing or hearing the message
- Galatians 3:6 Gn 15:6
- Galatians 3:8 Gn 12:3; 18:18
- Galatians 3:9 Or with believing Abraham
- Galatians 3:10 Dt 27:26
- Galatians 3:11 Hab 2:4
- Galatians 3:12 Lv 18:5
- Galatians 3:13 Dt 21:23
- Galatians 3:15 Lit I speak according to man
- Galatians 3:15 Or will, or testament
- Galatians 3:16 Gn 12:7; 13:15; 17:8; 24:7
- Galatians 3:17 Other mss add in Christ
- Galatians 3:22 Lit under sin
- Galatians 3:24 The word translated guardian in vv. 24-25 is different from the word in Gl 4:2. In our culture, we do not have a slave who takes a child to and from school, protecting the child from harm or corruption. In Gk the word paidogogos described such a slave. This slave was not a teacher.
Galatians 3
American Standard Version
3 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? 2 This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the [a]hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, [b]are ye now perfected in the flesh? 4 Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain. 5 He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh [c]miracles [d]among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the [e]hearing of faith? 6 Even as Abraham [f]believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 7 [g]Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God [h]would justify the [i]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, [j]In thee shall all the nations be blessed. 9 So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, [k]Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 Now that no man is justified [l]by the law before God, is evident: for, [m]The righteous shall live by faith; 12 and the law is not of faith; but, [n]He that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, [o]Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, [p]And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. 19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. 28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.
Footnotes
- Galatians 3:2 Or, message
- Galatians 3:3 Or, do ye now make an end in the flesh?
- Galatians 3:5 Greek powers.
- Galatians 3:5 Or, in
- Galatians 3:5 Or, message
- Galatians 3:6 Gen. 15:6.
- Galatians 3:7 Or, Ye perceive
- Galatians 3:8 Greek justifieth.
- Galatians 3:8 Greek nations.
- Galatians 3:8 Gen. 12:3.
- Galatians 3:10 Dt. 27:26.
- Galatians 3:11 Greek in.
- Galatians 3:11 Hab. 2:4.
- Galatians 3:12 Lev. 18:5.
- Galatians 3:13 Dt. 21:23.
- Galatians 3:16 Gen. 13:15; 17:8.
Galatians 3
Young's Literal Translation
3 O thoughtless Galatians, who did bewitch you, not to obey the truth -- before whose eyes Jesus Christ was described before among you crucified?
2 this only do I wish to learn from you -- by works of law the Spirit did ye receive, or by the hearing of faith?
3 so thoughtless are ye! having begun in the Spirit, now in the flesh do ye end?
4 so many things did ye suffer in vain! if, indeed, even in vain.
5 He, therefore, who is supplying to you the Spirit, and working mighty acts among you -- by works of law or by the hearing of faith [is it]?
6 according as Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him -- to righteousness;
7 know ye, then, that those of faith -- these are sons of Abraham,
8 and the Writing having foreseen that by faith God doth declare righteous the nations did proclaim before the good news to Abraham --
9 `Blessed in thee shall be all the nations;' so that those of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham,
10 for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed [is] every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law -- to do them,'
11 and that in law no one is declared righteous with God, is evident, because `The righteous by faith shall live;'
12 and the law is not by faith, but -- `The man who did them shall live in them.'
13 Christ did redeem us from the curse of the law, having become for us a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed is every one who is hanging on a tree,'
14 that to the nations the blessing of Abraham may come in Christ Jesus, that the promise of the Spirit we may receive through the faith.
15 Brethren, as a man I say [it], even of man a confirmed covenant no one doth make void or doth add to,
16 and to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed; He doth not say, `And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, `And to thy seed,' which is Christ;
17 and this I say, A covenant confirmed before by God to Christ, the law, that came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not set aside, to make void the promise,
18 for if by law [be] the inheritance, [it is] no more by promise, but to Abraham through promise did God grant [it].
19 Why, then, the law? on account of the transgressions it was added, till the seed might come to which the promise hath been made, having been set in order through messengers in the hand of a mediator --
20 and the mediator is not of one, and God is one --
21 the law, then, [is] against the promises of God? -- let it not be! for if a law was given that was able to make alive, truly by law there would have been the righteousness,
22 but the Writing did shut up the whole under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ may be given to those believing.
23 And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
24 so that the law became our child-conductor -- to Christ, that by faith we may be declared righteous,
25 and the faith having come, no more under a child-conductor are we,
26 for ye are all sons of God through the faith in Christ Jesus,
27 for as many as to Christ were baptized did put on Christ;
28 there is not here Jew or Greek, there is not here servant nor freeman, there is not here male and female, for all ye are one in Christ Jesus;
29 and if ye [are] of Christ then of Abraham ye are seed, and according to promise -- heirs.
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)