Galatians 3:1-5

Expanded Bible

Blessing Comes Through Faith

3 ·You [^LO] ·foolish [stupid] Galatians! Who has ·tricked [or cast a spell on; bewitched] you? ·You were told very clearly about the death of Jesus Christ on the cross [^LBefore your eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed/announced as crucified]. ² Tell me this one thing: How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Did you receive the Spirit by ·following [^Lthe works of] the law? ·No, you received the Spirit [^L…or] ·because you heard the Good News and believed it [by believing what you heard]. ³ ·Are you so foolish [How can you be so stupid]? You began ·your life in Christ by [^Lby; or through] the Spirit. Now are you trying to ·make it complete [finish; or be perfected] by ·your own power [human effort; ^Lthe flesh]? ⁴ ·Were all your experiences wasted [or Have you suffered so much for nothing]? ·I hope not [or Surely it was not for nothing; ^L—if indeed for nothing]! ⁵ Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you ·because you follow [^Lby the works of] the law? ·No, he does these things [^L…or] ·because you heard the Good News and believed it [by your believing what you heard; v. 2].