1O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was clearly proclaimed among (portrayed before your very eyes).
2I would just like to ask you this: Did you receive the Spirit by the law, or by faith in what you heard?
3Are you so foolish? After beginning in the Spirit, have you now reverted back to seeking perfection by human effort?
4Have you suffered so many things in vain - if it was indeed in vain?
5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you believed the gospel message that you heard,
6In the same way that Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted (credited) to him as righteousness”?
7Understand that those who put their faith in God are the real sons of Abraham.
8And the scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, proclaimed even before the gospel to Abraham, “In you shall all nations be blessed” (Gen.12:3, 18:18 & 22:18).
9So, then, those who rely in faith are blessed along with faithful Abraham.
10For all those that rely upon the works of the law are under a curse; as it is written, “Cursed is every one that does not observe and obey all the commands which are written in the book of the law” (Jer.11:3).
11So clearly no man who relies upon the law is justified by the law in the sight of God, “The just shall live by faith” (Hab.2:4).
12And the law is not based upon faith; but, “The person that does them shall live in them” (Lev.18:5).
13Christ has rescued us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us; for it is written, “Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree” (Deut.21:23);
14So that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, and that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
15Brethren, her is an example from everyday life: Though it is only a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, no man can annul, or add to it.
16Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He (Moses) did not say, “And to seeds”, as of many; but as of one, “And to your Seed”, meaning one Person, Which is Christ.
17And this what I am saying: that the agreement (covenant) that God made with Abraham could not be cancelled or annulled four hundred thirty years later, when God gave the Law to Moses - that would be breaking God’s promise to Abraham.
18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God, in His grace, gave it to Abraham by promise.
19Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added alongside the promise, because of transgressions, until the Seed to Whom the promise referred should come; and it was ordained by angels and entrusted to a mediator.
20Now a mediator implies more than one party; but God is one, and did not use a mediator when He gave His promise to Abraham.
21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given which could impart or give us new life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
22But the Scripture has declared that we are all prisoners of sin, so that what was promised, being given by faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.
23But before coming to this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith which was to come, would be revealed.
24And so the law was our guardian until Christ came so that we might be justified by faith.
25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
26And so you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27For all of you who have been baptized into Christ have put on (clothed yourselves in) Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond (slave) nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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