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Galatians 3

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was plainly set forth, crucified among you. There is just one thing I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you that silly? You started in the Spirit — are you no

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Faith or works?

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was plainly set forth, crucified among you. There is just one thing I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? Are you that silly? You started in the Spirit — are you now trying to finish in the flesh? Did you go through all that for nothing — if it really was for nothing? So then, does the one who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you do it by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? It is the same as Abraham: he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. So understand this: those who are of faith are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, seeing ahead that God would put the nations right by faith, announced the gospel to Abraham in advance: In you all nations will be blessed. So those who are of faith are blessed along with faithful Abraham. Because all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who doesn't keep on doing everything written in the book of the law. And it is plain that nobody is put right with God by the law, because The just will live by faith. And the law isn't of faith. Instead: The man who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. This was so the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, and so we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Oh foolish Galatians, who's put a spell on you, that you shouldn't obey the truth — you who Jesus Christ has been plainly set out in front of, crucified among you? This only I'd learn of you: Did you get the Spirit by the works of the teaching, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having started in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things for nothing? If it's yet for nothing. So the one who gives you the Spirit and works miracles among you — does he do it by the works of the teaching or by the hearing of faith? The way Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. So know that the ones of faith, these are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, seeing before that God would make the nations right through faith, preached the good news to Abraham before: In you all nations will be blessed. So then the ones of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Because as many as are of the works of the teaching are under the curse. Because it's written: Cursed is everyone who doesn't go on in everything written in the book of the teaching to do them. But that no man is made right by the teaching in the sight of God is plain. Because the just will live by faith. And the teaching isn't of faith. But the man who does them will live in them. Christ has bought us back from the curse of the teaching, being made a curse for us. Because it's written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree. So the blessing of Abraham could come on the nations through Jesus Christ, so we could get the promise of the Spirit through faith.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 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: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was plainly set forth, crucified among you.

Plain English

Oh foolish Galatians, who's put a spell on you, that you shouldn't obey the truth — you who Jesus Christ has been plainly set out in front of, crucified among you?

King James Version, 1611

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2

There is just one thing I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Plain English

This only I'd learn of you: Did you get the Spirit by the works of the teaching, or by the hearing of faith?

King James Version, 1611

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3

Are you that silly? You started in the Spirit — are you now trying to finish in the flesh?

Plain English

Are you so foolish? Having started in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?

King James Version, 1611

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4

Did you go through all that for nothing — if it really was for nothing?

Plain English

Have you suffered so many things for nothing? If it's yet for nothing.

King James Version, 1611

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5

So then, does the one who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you do it by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Plain English

So the one who gives you the Spirit and works miracles among you — does he do it by the works of the teaching or by the hearing of faith?

King James Version, 1611

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

6

It is the same as Abraham: he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Plain English

The way Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

King James Version, 1611

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7

So understand this: those who are of faith are the children of Abraham.

Plain English

So know that the ones of faith, these are the children of Abraham.

King James Version, 1611

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8

And the scripture, seeing ahead that God would put the nations right by faith, announced the gospel to Abraham in advance: In you all nations will be blessed.

Plain English

And the scripture, seeing before that God would make the nations right through faith, preached the good news to Abraham before: In you all nations will be blessed.

King James Version, 1611

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9

So those who are of faith are blessed along with faithful Abraham.

Plain English

So then the ones of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

King James Version, 1611

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10

Because all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who doesn't keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.

Plain English

Because as many as are of the works of the teaching are under the curse. Because it's written: Cursed is everyone who doesn't go on in everything written in the book of the teaching to do them.

King James Version, 1611

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11

And it is plain that nobody is put right with God by the law, because The just will live by faith.

Plain English

But that no man is made right by the teaching in the sight of God is plain. Because the just will live by faith.

King James Version, 1611

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12

And the law isn't of faith. Instead: The man who does these things will live by them.

Plain English

And the teaching isn't of faith. But the man who does them will live in them.

King James Version, 1611

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.

Plain English

Christ has bought us back from the curse of the teaching, being made a curse for us. Because it's written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.

King James Version, 1611

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

This was so the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, and so we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Plain English

So the blessing of Abraham could come on the nations through Jesus Christ, so we could get the promise of the Spirit through faith.

King James Version, 1611

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The promise and the teaching

Brothers, let me put it in ordinary human terms. Even with a man's covenant, once it is confirmed nobody sets it aside or adds to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn't say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one: And to your seed — which is Christ. What I am saying is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, can't cancel a covenant God confirmed beforehand in Christ, and so wipe out the promise. Because if the inheritance comes by the law, it is no longer by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by a promise. What was the law for, then? It was added because of wrongdoings, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made. It was put in place through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator isn't a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. Because if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness really would have come by the law. But the scripture shut everything up under sin, so the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, shut in until the faith that was coming should be revealed. So the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Because you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Brothers, I speak the way men do. Though it's only a man's covenant, still if it's made firm, no man sets it aside or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his offspring the promises were made. He doesn't say: And to offsprings, as of plenty, but as of one: And to your offspring, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant made firm before by God in Christ, the teaching that came four hundred and thirty years after can't set aside, so it should make the promise of no effect. Because if the inheritance is of the teaching, it isn't any more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. What's the teaching for then? It was added because of breakings of it, till the offspring should come who the promise was made to. And it was ordered by angels in the hand of a go-between. Now a go-between isn't a go-between of one. But God is one. Is the teaching then against the promises of God? God forbid. Because if there'd been a teaching given that could have given life, righteousness would truly have been by the teaching. But the scripture has shut up everything under sin, so the promise by faith of Jesus Christ could be given to the ones who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the teaching, shut up to the faith that would be shown after. So the teaching was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so we could be made right by faith. But after faith has come, we aren't under a schoolmaster any more. Because you're all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Because as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There's neither Jew nor Greek, there's neither bond nor free, there's neither male nor female. Because you're all one in Christ Jesus. And if you're Christ's, then you're Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise.

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

15

Brothers, let me put it in ordinary human terms. Even with a man's covenant, once it is confirmed nobody sets it aside or adds to it.

Plain English

Brothers, I speak the way men do. Though it's only a man's covenant, still if it's made firm, no man sets it aside or adds to it.

King James Version, 1611

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It doesn't say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one: And to your seed — which is Christ.

Plain English

Now to Abraham and his offspring the promises were made. He doesn't say: And to offsprings, as of plenty, but as of one: And to your offspring, which is Christ.

King James Version, 1611

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17

What I am saying is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, can't cancel a covenant God confirmed beforehand in Christ, and so wipe out the promise.

Plain English

And this I say, that the covenant made firm before by God in Christ, the teaching that came four hundred and thirty years after can't set aside, so it should make the promise of no effect.

King James Version, 1611

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18

Because if the inheritance comes by the law, it is no longer by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

Plain English

Because if the inheritance is of the teaching, it isn't any more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

King James Version, 1611

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19

What was the law for, then? It was added because of wrongdoings, until the seed should come to whom the promise was made. It was put in place through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Plain English

What's the teaching for then? It was added because of breakings of it, till the offspring should come who the promise was made to. And it was ordered by angels in the hand of a go-between.

King James Version, 1611

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20

Now a mediator isn't a mediator of one, but God is one.

Plain English

Now a go-between isn't a go-between of one. But God is one.

King James Version, 1611

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid. Because if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness really would have come by the law.

Plain English

Is the teaching then against the promises of God? God forbid. Because if there'd been a teaching given that could have given life, righteousness would truly have been by the teaching.

King James Version, 1611

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22

But the scripture shut everything up under sin, so the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Plain English

But the scripture has shut up everything under sin, so the promise by faith of Jesus Christ could be given to the ones who believe.

King James Version, 1611

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23

Before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, shut in until the faith that was coming should be revealed.

Plain English

But before faith came, we were kept under the teaching, shut up to the faith that would be shown after.

King James Version, 1611

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24

So the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so we might be justified by faith.

Plain English

So the teaching was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, so we could be made right by faith.

King James Version, 1611

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Plain English

But after faith has come, we aren't under a schoolmaster any more.

King James Version, 1611

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26

Because you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Plain English

Because you're all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

King James Version, 1611

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27

For all of you who were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.

Plain English

Because as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ.

King James Version, 1611

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Plain English

There's neither Jew nor Greek, there's neither bond nor free, there's neither male nor female. Because you're all one in Christ Jesus.

King James Version, 1611

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Plain English

And if you're Christ's, then you're Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise.

King James Version, 1611

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.