Galatians, 3
The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham cometh not by the law, but by faith.
[1] O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? •
[2] This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? •
[3] Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh? •
[4] Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain. •
[5] He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith? •
[6] As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice. •
[7] Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. •
[8] And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed. •
[9] Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.
[10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. •
[11] But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith. •
[12] But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them. •
[13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree). •
[14] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith. •
[15] Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it. •
[16] To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. •
[17] Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.
[18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
[19] Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions 1, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels 2 in the hand of a mediator. •
Because of transgressions: To restrain them from sin, by fear and threats.
Ordained by angels: The law was delivered by angels, speaking in the name and person of God to Moses, who was the mediator, on this occasion, between God and the people.
[20] Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.
[21] Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. •
[22] But the scripture hath concluded all under sin 1, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe. •
Hath concluded all under sin: that is, hath declared all to be under sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed.
[23] But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed.
[24] Wherefore the law was our pedagogue 1 in Christ: that we might be justified by faith. •
Pedagogue: That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor.
[25] But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue. •
[26] For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus.
[27] For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ. •
[28] There is neither Jew 1 nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. •
Neither Jew: That is, no distinction of Jew.*
[29] And if you be Christ's, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.