Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11 But when (A)Cephas came to (B)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [a]stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from [b](C)James, he used to (D)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (E)fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (F)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they (G)were not [c]straightforward about (H)the truth of the gospel, I said to (I)Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, (J)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[d]

15 “We are (K)Jews by nature and not (L)sinners from the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that (M)a person is not justified by works of [e]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (N)faith in Christ and not by works of [f]the Law; since (O)by works of [g]the Law no [h]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (P)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [i](Q)Far from it! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (R)prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19 For through [j]the Law I (S)died to [k]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been (T)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (U)Christ lives in me; and [l]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (V)the Son of God, who (W)loved me and (X)gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (Y)if righteousness comes through [m]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Faith Brings Righteousness

[n]You foolish (Z)Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ (AA)was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of [o]the Law, or by (AB)hearing [p]with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun [q]by the Spirit, are you now [r]being perfected by the flesh? Did you [s]suffer so many things in vain—(AC)if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who (AD)provides you with the Spirit and (AE)works [t]miracles among you, do it by works of [u]the Law, or by (AF)hearing [v]with faith?

Just as (AG)Abraham (AH)believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Therefore, recognize that (AI)it is those who are of faith who are (AJ)sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God [w]would justify the [x]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “(AK)All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then, (AL)those who are of faith are blessed with [y]Abraham, the believer.

10 For all who are of works of [z]the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “(AM)Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.” 11 Now, that (AN)no one is justified [aa]by [ab]the Law before God is evident; for, “[ac](AO)the righteous one will live by faith.” 12 [ad]However, the Law is not [ae]of faith; on the contrary, “(AP)The person who performs [af]them will live by [ag]them.” 13 Christ (AQ)redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “(AR)Cursed is everyone who hangs on (AS)a [ah]tree”— 14 in order that (AT)in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we (AU)would receive (AV)the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15 (AW)Brothers and sisters, (AX)I speak [ai]in terms of human relations: (AY)even though it is only a man’s [aj]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [ak]conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken (AZ)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “(BA)And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (BB)430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For (BC)if the inheritance is [al]based on law, it is no longer [am]based on a promise; but (BD)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 (BE)Why the Law then? It was added on account of the [an]violations, having been (BF)ordered through angels (BG)at the hand of a [ao]mediator, until (BH)the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now (BI)a mediator is not [ap]for one party only; but God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? [aq](BJ)Far from it! For (BK)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness [ar]would indeed have been [as]based on law. 22 But the Scripture has (BL)confined [at]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 But before faith came, [au]we were kept in custody under the Law, (BM)being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our [av](BN)guardian to lead us to Christ, so that (BO)we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [aw](BP)guardian.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
  2. Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
  3. Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
  4. Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
  5. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  6. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  7. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  8. Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
  9. Galatians 2:17 Lit May it never happen!
  10. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  11. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  12. Galatians 2:20 Or insofar as I
  13. Galatians 2:21 Or law
  14. Galatians 3:1 Lit O
  15. Galatians 3:2 Or law
  16. Galatians 3:2 Lit of faith
  17. Galatians 3:3 Or with
  18. Galatians 3:3 Or ending with
  19. Galatians 3:4 Or experience
  20. Galatians 3:5 Or works of power
  21. Galatians 3:5 Or law
  22. Galatians 3:5 Lit of faith
  23. Galatians 3:8 Lit justifies
  24. Galatians 3:8 Lit nations
  25. Galatians 3:9 Lit the believing Abraham
  26. Galatians 3:10 Or law
  27. Galatians 3:11 Or in
  28. Galatians 3:11 Or law
  29. Galatians 3:11 Or the one who is righteous by faith will live
  30. Galatians 3:12 Or And
  31. Galatians 3:12 Or based on
  32. Galatians 3:12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
  33. Galatians 3:12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
  34. Galatians 3:13 Or cross; lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  35. Galatians 3:15 Lit according to man
  36. Galatians 3:15 Or will; or testament
  37. Galatians 3:15 Or a codicil
  38. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
  39. Galatians 3:18 Lit out of, from
  40. Galatians 3:19 I.e., of God’s commands
  41. Galatians 3:19 I.e., Moses
  42. Galatians 3:20 Lit of one
  43. Galatians 3:21 Lit May it never happen!
  44. Galatians 3:21 Or would indeed be
  45. Galatians 3:21 Lit out of, from
  46. Galatians 3:22 Lit all things
  47. Galatians 3:23 I.e., the Jews
  48. Galatians 3:24 I.e., children’s escort and supervisor
  49. Galatians 3:25 See note v 24

Bible Gateway Recommends