Galatians 2:15-3:14

Christian Standard Bible

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^(A) but by faith in Jesus Christ,^[a] even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ^[b] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will^[c] be justified. ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ,^(B) is Christ then a promoter^[d](C) of sin? Absolutely not!^{(D) 18} If I rebuild^(E) those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.^{(F) 19} For through the law I died to the law,^(G) so that I might live for God.^{(H) 20} I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(I) The life I now live in the body,^[e] I live by faith in the Son of God,^(J) who loved^(K) me^(L) and gave himself^(M) for me.^{(N) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,^(O) then Christ died^(P) for nothing.

Justification through Faith

3 You foolish^(Q) Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you,^[f] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed^[g] as crucified?^{(R) 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?^{[h] 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? ⁴ Did you experience^[i](S) so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? ⁵ So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles^(T) 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,^(U) and it was credited to him for righteousness?^[j](V)

⁷ You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons.^{(W) 8} Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham,^(X) saying, All the nations^[k] will be blessed through you.^{[l](Y) 9} Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham,^(Z) who had faith.^[m]

Law and Promise

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,^(AA) because it is written,^(AB) Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.^{[n](AC) 11} Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live^(AD) by faith.^{[o](AE) 12} But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.^{[p](AF) 13} Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,^(AG) because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.^{[q](AH) 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.^(AI)