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Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
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I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
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I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
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They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
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Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
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So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
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The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.
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Children of God
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
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So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,
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So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
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My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
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These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.
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Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.
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For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
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Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.
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Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
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Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
