Galatians 3:15-6:18

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, I’m using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will.^{[a] 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,^[b](A) who is Christ. ¹⁷ My point is this: The law, which came 430 years later,^(B) does not invalidate a covenant previously established by God^[c] 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?^(C) It was added for the sake of transgressions^[d] until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels^(D) by means of a mediator.^{(E) 20} Now a mediator is not just for one person alone, but God is one.^{(F) 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,^[e](G) so that the promise might be given on the basis of faith^(H) in Jesus Christ to those who believe.^{(I) 23} Before this faith^(J) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(K) 24} The law, then, was our guardian until Christ,^(L) so that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But since that faith^(M) 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.^{(N) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(O) male and female;^(P) since you are all one^(Q) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs^(R) according to the promise.^(S)

4 Now I say that as long as the heir^(T) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(U) 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^[f] of the world.^{(V) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,^(W) born of a woman,^(X) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(Y) 6} And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(Z) into our^[g] hearts, crying, “Abba,^[h] Father!” ^{(AA) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(AB) but a son,^(AC) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.^(AD)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, since you didn’t know God,^(AE) you were enslaved to things^[i] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,^(AF) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless^(AG) elements?^(AH) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(AI) 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^[j] 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.^[k] 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?^{(AJ) 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^[l] in a good manner—and not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My children,^(AK) I am again suffering labor pains^(AL) 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^(AM) had two sons, one by a slave^(AN) 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^(AO) and bears children into slavery—this is Hagar.^{(AP) 25} Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia^(AQ) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,^(AR) for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above^(AS) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,^(AT)

²⁸ Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,^(AW) are children of promise.^{(AX) 29} But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,^(AY) so also now.^{(AZ) 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.”^{[n](BA) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.^(BB)

Freedom of the Christian

5 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,^(BC) then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(BD) 2} Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(BE) 5} For we eagerly await^(BF) through the Spirit, by faith, the hope^(BG) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(BH) working through love.^(BI)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(BJ) 8} This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(BK) 9} A little leaven^[o] leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(BL) 11} Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(BM) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

¹³ For you were called^(BN) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^[p] for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(BO) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{[q](BP) 15} But if you bite and devour^(BQ) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit^(BR) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(BS) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(BT) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[r] sexual immorality,^(BU) moral impurity,^(BV) promiscuity,^{(BW) 20} idolatry,^(BX) sorcery,^(BY) hatreds,^(BZ) strife,^(CA) jealousy,^(CB) outbursts of anger,^(CC) selfish ambitions,^(CD) dissensions,^(CE) factions,^{(CF) 21} envy,^[s](CG) drunkenness, carousing,^(CH) and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(CI)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(CJ) is love,^(CK) joy,^(CL) peace, patience,^(CM) kindness,^(CN) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(CO) and self-control.^(CP) The law is not against such things.^{[t] 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(CQ) have crucified the flesh^(CR) with its passions and desires.^{(CS) 25} If we live^(CT) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(CU)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle^(CV) spirit,^[u](CW) watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.^{(CX) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(CY) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(CZ) he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person examine his own work,^(DA) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share^(DB) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(DC) will reap eternal life^(DD) from the Spirit. ⁹ Let us not get tired^(DE) of doing good,^(DF) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work^(DG) for the good^(DH) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(DI) of faith.^(DJ)

Concluding Exhortation

¹¹ Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. ¹² Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh^(DK) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised^(DL)—but only to avoid being persecuted^(DM) for the cross^(DN) of Christ. ¹³ For even the circumcised don’t keep^(DO) the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For^[v] both circumcision and uncircumcision^(DP) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.^{(DQ) 16} May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel^(DR) of God!^[w]

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.^{(DS) 18} Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(DT) Amen.