By The Spirit, not Flesh
O FOOLISH Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth? Before whose eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified!
2 ¶ This only, I wish to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the preaching of faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? If indeed, it is in vain.
5 ¶ He therefore that provides to you the Spirit, and works power among you: does He, by the works of the law, or by the preaching of faith?
6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know therefore: That those of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would declare righteous the Gentiles through faith; preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying: In you shall all the nations be blessed.
9 So then, those of faith are blessed together with faithful Abraham.
No Man Declared Righteous by the Law
10 ¶ For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is written: Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 And that no man is declared righteous by the law in the sight of God, for it is evident: “The righteous through faith, shall live”.
12 But the law is not by faith; but: The man that does them, shall live in them.
13 ¶ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, becoming cursed on our behalf; for it is written: “Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree”.
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Jesus Christ; that they might receive the promise of the Spirit through the faith.
Promise to Seed, not Seeds
15 ¶ Brothers, I speak according to the manner of men: Even if it were a man’s covenant, once confirmed: no man annuls it, or adds thereto.
16 ¶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not: “And to seeds”, as upon many; but as upon one: “And to your seed”, which is Christ.
17 And this I say: The covenant, that was confirmed in advance by God in Christ; the law (which was four hundred and thirty years after) cannot annul; that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance be from the law; it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
19 ¶ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, and it was ordained through Angels in the hand of a mediator: Until the seed came, to whom the promise was made.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator to only one, but God is one.
21 ¶ Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not: for if there had been a law given which could have given life; truly, righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the scripture has shut up all under sin; that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ, be given to those that believe.
23 But before the faith came, we were kept under guard by the law; shut up to the faith, which would afterwards be revealed.
24 Therefore the law is our schoolmaster to bring us into Christ, that we might be declared righteous by faith.
25 But after the faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Sons of God by Faith
26 ¶ For you are all the children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourself in Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond-servant nor freeman, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.