Faith and Belief
(James 2:14–26)

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you⁺? Before your very eyes Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you⁺: Did you⁺ receive the Spirit {Pneuma} by works (acts) of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3Are you⁺ so foolish? After starting in the Spirit {Pneumati}, are you⁺ now finishing in the flesh? 4Have you⁺ suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5Does God lavish His Spirit {Pneuma} on you⁺ and work miracles {dynameis} among you⁺ because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

6So also, “Abraham (father of many) believed (had faith) God {Theō}, and it was credited to him as righteousness <Gen 15:6>.”a 7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham (father of many). 8The Scripture foresaw that God {Theos} would justify the Gentiles {ethnē} by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham (father of many): “All nations will be blessed through you <Gen 12:3, Gen 18:18, Gen 22:18>.”b 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham (father of many), the man of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10All who rely on works (acts) of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book (papyrus roll) of the Law <Deu 27:26>.”c 11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God {Theō} by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith <Hab 2:4>.”d 12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them <Lev 18:5>.”e

13Christ (the Anointed One) redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree <Deu 21:23>.”f 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham \the blessing of Abraham/g would come to the Gentiles {ethnē} in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves), so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit {Pneumatos}.

The Purpose of the Law
(Romans 7:1–6)

15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant {diathēkēn}, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham (father of many) and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed <Gen 12:7>,”h meaning One, who is Christ (the Anointed One).

17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant {diathēkēn} previously established by God {Theou}, so as to nullify the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God {Theos} freely granted it to Abraham (father of many) through a promise.

19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels (messengers) by a mediator (reconciler). 20A mediator (reconciler) is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God {Theos} is one.

21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God {Theou}? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. 22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus (YHWH saves) Christ (the Anointed One) the promise might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed (uncovered). 24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ (the Anointed One), that we might be justified (rendered innocent) by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons through Faith in Christ

26You⁺ are all sons of God {Theou} through faith in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves). 27For all of you⁺ who were baptized (submerged) into Christ (the Anointed One) have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave {doulos} nor free, male nor female, for you⁺ are all one in Christ (the Anointed One) Jesus (YHWH saves). 29And if you⁺ belong to Christ (the Anointed One), then you⁺ are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.