Paul,
an apostle,
(not of men,
neither by man,
but by Jesus Christ,
and God
the Father,
who raised him
from the dead;)
And all
the brethren
which are with me,
unto the churches
of Galatia:
Grace be
to you and peace
from God the Father,
and
from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who gave himself
for our sins,
that he
might deliver us
from this present evil world,
according to the will
of God
and our Father:
To whom
be glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
I marvel that
ye are so soon removed
from him that
called you
into the grace
of Christ
unto another gospel:
Which is not
another;
but there be
some that trouble you,
and would pervert
the gospel
of Christ.
But though we,
or an angel
from heaven,
preach any other gospel
unto you than
that which
we have preached
unto you,
let him be accursed.
As we said before,
so say
I now again,
if any man
preach
any other gospel
unto you than
that
ye have received,
let him be accursed.
For do
I now persuade men,
or God?
or do
I seek
to please men?
for if
I yet pleased men,
I should not be the servant
of Christ.
But
I certify you,
brethren,
that the gospel which
was preached
of me is not
after man.
For I neither received it
of man,
neither was
I taught it,
but by the revelation
of Jesus Christ.
For ye
have heard
of my conversation
in time past
in the Jews' religion,
how that
beyond measure
I persecuted
the church
of God,
and wasted it:
And profited
in the Jews' religion above
many my
equals in mine own nation,
being more exceedingly zealous
of the traditions
of my fathers.
But
when it
pleased God,
who separated me
from my mother's womb,
and called me
by his grace,
To reveal his Son in me,
that I
might preach him
among the heathen;
immediately
I conferred not
with flesh
and blood:
Neither went
I up to Jerusalem
to them which
were apostles
before me;
but
I went into Arabia,
and returned again
unto Damascus.
Then after three years
I went
up to Jerusalem
to see Peter,
and abode
with him fifteen days.
But other
of the apostles saw
I none,
save James
the Lord's brother.
Now the things
which I
write unto you,
behold,
before God,
I lie not.
Afterwards
I came
into the regions
of Syria
and Cilicia;
And was unknown
by face
unto the churches
of Judaea
which were in Christ:
But
they had heard only,
That he
which persecuted us
in times
past now preacheth
the faith
which once he destroyed.
Then fourteen years after
I went up
again to Jerusalem
with Barnabas,
and took Titus
with me also.
And
I went up
by revelation,
and communicated
unto them that gospel
which I
preach
among the Gentiles,
but privately to them which
were of reputation,
lest by any means
I should run,
or had run,
in vain.
But neither Titus,
who was with me,
being a Greek,
was compelled
to be circumcised:
And that
because
of false brethren
unawares brought in,
who came
in privily
to spy out our liberty
which we
have
in Christ Jesus,
that they
might bring us
into bondage:
To whom
we gave
place
by subjection,
no,
not for an hour;
that the truth
of the gospel
might continue
with you.
But of these
who
seemed to be
somewhat,
(whatsoever
they were,
it maketh
no matter to me:
God accepteth no man's person:)
for they
who seemed
to be somewhat
in conference
added nothing to me:
But contrariwise,
when
they saw that
the gospel
of the uncircumcision
was committed unto me,
as the gospel
of the circumcision
was unto Peter;
(For
he that
wrought effectually
in Peter
to the apostleship
of the circumcision,
the same
was mighty in me
toward the Gentiles:)
And
when James, Cephas,
and John,
who seemed
to be pillars,
perceived
the grace
that was given unto me,
they gave
to me
and Barnabas
the right
hands
of fellowship;
that we
should go
unto the heathen,
and
they
unto the circumcision.
Only they
would
that we
should remember
the poor;
the same which
I also was
forward to do.
But
when Peter
was come
to Antioch,
I withstood him
to the face,
because
he was
to be blamed.
For before that certain
came from James,
he did eat
with the Gentiles:
but
when
they were come,
he withdrew
and separated himself,
fearing them
which were of the circumcision.
And the other Jews
dissembled likewise
with him;
insomuch
that Barnabas
also was carried away
with their dissimulation.
But
when
I saw
that they
walked not uprightly according to
the truth
of the gospel,
I said unto Peter
before them all,
If thou,
being a Jew,
livest after the manner
of Gentiles,
and not as do
the Jews,
why compellest
thou the Gentiles
to live
as do the Jews?
We who
are Jews
by nature,
and not sinners
of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man
is not justified
by the works
of the law,
but by the faith
of Jesus Christ,
even
we have believed
in Jesus Christ,
that we
might be justified by the faith
of Christ,
and
not by the works
of the law:
for by the works
of the law
shall no flesh
be justified.
But if,
while we
seek
to be justified
by Christ,
we ourselves
also are found
sinners,
is therefore Christ
the minister
of sin?
God forbid.
For if
I build again
the things
which I destroyed,
I make myself
a transgressor.
For I
through the law
am dead
to the law,
that I
might live
unto God.
I am crucified
with Christ:
neverthless
I live;
yet not I,
but Christ
liveth in me:
and the life
which I
now live
in the flesh
I live
by the faith
of the Son
of God,
who loved me,
and
gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate
the grace
of God:
for if righteousness come
by the law,
then Christ
is dead
in vain.
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.
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.
Now I say,
That the heir,
as long as he
is a child,
differeth nothing
from a servant,
though he
be lord
of all;
But is under tutors
and governors
until the time
appointed
of the father.
Even so we,
when
we were children,
were in bondage
under the elements
of the world:
But
when the fulness
of the time
was come,
God sent
forth his Son,
made of a woman,
made under the law,
To redeem them
that were under the law,
that we
might receive
the adoption
of sons.
And
because
ye are sons,
God hath sent
forth the Spirit
of his Son
into your hearts,
crying,
Abba, Father.
Wherefore
thou art
no more
a servant,
but a son;
and if a son,
then an heir
of God
through Christ.
Howbeit then,
when
ye knew not God,
ye did service
unto them
which by nature
are no gods.
But now,
after that
ye have known God,
or rather are known
of God,
how turn
ye again to the weak
and beggarly elements,
whereunto
ye desire again
to be
in bondage?
Ye observe days,
and months,
and times,
and years.
I am afraid
of you,
lest
I have bestowed
upon you
labour
in vain.
Brethren,
I beseech you,
be as I am;
for I
am as ye are:
ye have not injured me
at all.
Ye know how
through infirmity
of the flesh
I preached
the gospel
unto you
at the first.
And my temptation
which was in my flesh
ye despised not,
nor rejected;
but received me
as an angel
of God,
even as Christ Jesus.
Where is
then the blessedness
ye spake of?
for I
bear
you record,
that,
if it
had been possible,
ye would have plucked
out your own eyes,
and have given them to me.
Am I therefore become
your enemy,
because
I tell
you the truth?
They zealously affect you,
but not well;
yea,
they would exclude you,
that ye
might affect them.
But it
is good
to be zealously affected always
in a good thing,
and not only
when
I am
present
with you.
My little children,
of whom
I travail
in birth
again until Christ
be formed
in you,
I desire to be
present
with you now,
and to change
my voice;
for I
stand
in doubt
of you.
Tell me,
ye that desire
to be
under the law,
do ye
not hear
the law?
For it
is written,
that Abraham
had two sons,
the one
by a bondmaid,
the other
by a freewoman.
But
he who
was of the bondwoman
was born
after the flesh;
but
he of the freewoman
was by promise.
Which things
are an allegory:
for these
are the two covenants;
the one
from the mount Sinai,
which gendereth to bondage,
which is Agar.
For this Agar
is mount Sinai
in Arabia,
and answereth to Jerusalem which
now is,
and is in bondage
with her children.
But Jerusalem
which is
above is free,
which is the mother
of us all.
For it
is written,
Rejoice,
thou barren
that bearest not;
break forth and cry,
thou
that travailest not:
for the desolate
hath many more children than
she which
hath an husband.
Now we,
brethren,
as Isaac was,
are the children
of promise.
But
as then
he that
was born
after the flesh
persecuted him
that
was born
after the Spirit,
even so
it is now.
Nevertheless
what saith the scripture?
Cast
out the bondwoman
and her son:
for the son
of the bondwoman
shall not be heir
with the son
of the freewoman.
So then,
brethren,
we are not children
of the bondwoman,
but of the free.
Stand
fast
therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ
hath made us free,
and be not entangled again
with the yoke
of bondage.
Behold,
I Paul
say unto you,
that if
ye be circumcised,
Christ
shall profit
you nothing.
For I
testify again
to every man
that is circumcised,
that he
is a debtor
to do the whole law.
Christ
is become
of no effect
unto you,
whosoever of you
are justified
by the law;
ye are fallen
from grace.
For we
through the Spirit
wait for the hope
of righteousness
by faith.
For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision
availeth any thing,
nor uncircumcision;
but faith which
worketh by love.
Ye did run well;
who did hinder
you
that ye
should not obey
the truth?
This persuasion
cometh not
of him that calleth you.
A little
leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
I have confidence
in you
through the Lord,
that ye
will be none otherwise minded:
but he
that troubleth you
shall bear
his judgment,
whosoever he be.
And I,
brethren,
if I
yet preach
circumcision,
why do
I yet suffer
persecution?
then is the offence
of the cross ceased.
I would
they were even cut off
which trouble you.
For, brethren,
ye have been called
unto liberty;
only use not liberty
for an occasion
to the flesh,
but by love serve one
another.
For all
the law
is fulfilled
in one word,
even in this;
Thou
shalt love
thy neighbour
as thyself.
But
if ye
bite
and devour one
another,
take heed that
ye be not consumed one
of another.
This
I say then,
Walk
in the Spirit,
and ye
shall not
fulfil the lust
of the flesh.
For the flesh
lusteth
against the Spirit,
and the Spirit
against the flesh:
and these
are contrary
the one
to the other:
so that
ye cannot do
the things that
ye would.
But
if ye
be led
of the Spirit,
ye are not
under the law.
Now
the works
of the flesh
are manifest,
which are these;
Adultery,
fornication,
uncleanness,
lasciviousness,
Idolatry,
witchcraft,
hatred,
variance,
emulations,
wrath,
strife,
seditions,
heresies,
Envyings,
murders,
drunkenness,
revellings,
and such like:
of the which
I tell you
before,
as I
have also told you
in time past,
that they
which do
such things
shall not inherit
the kingdom
of God.
But
the fruit
of the Spirit
is love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
Meekness,
temperance:
against such
there is no law.
And they
that
are Christ's
have crucified
the flesh
with the affections
and lusts.
If we
live
in the Spirit,
let us
also walk
in the Spirit.
Let us
not be desirous
of vain glory,
provoking one
another,
envying one
another.
Brethren,
if a man
be overtaken
in a fault,
ye which
are spiritual,
restore
such an one
in the spirit
of meekness;
considering thyself,
lest
thou also be tempted.
Bear
ye one another's burdens,
and so
fulfil the law
of Christ.
For if a man
think himself
to be something,
when
he is nothing,
he deceiveth himself.
But let
every man
prove his own work,
and
then shall
he have
rejoicing
in himself alone,
and not in another.
For every man
shall bear
his own burden.
Let him
that is taught
in the word
communicate
unto him that
teacheth in all good things.
Be not deceived;
God is not mocked:
for whatsoever
a man soweth,
that shall
he also reap.
For he
that
soweth to his flesh
shall of the flesh
reap corruption;
but
he that
soweth to the Spirit
shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting.
And let us
not be
weary
in well doing:
for in due season
we shall reap,
if we
faint not.
As we
have therefore
opportunity,
let us
do good
unto all men,
especially unto them
who are of the household
of faith.
Ye see how large
a letter
I
have written
unto you
with mine own hand.
As many
as desire to make
a fair
shew
in the flesh,
they constrain you
to be circumcised;
only lest
they should suffer persecution
for the cross
of Christ.
For neither
they
themselves who are circumcised
keep the law;
but desire
to have
you circumcised,
that they
may glory
in your flesh.
But God
forbid that
I should glory,
save in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom
the world
is crucified unto me,
and
I unto the world.
For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision
availeth any thing,
nor uncircumcision,
but a new creature.
And as many
as walk
according to this rule,
peace be on them,
and mercy,
and upon the Israel
of God.
From henceforth let no man
trouble me:
for I bear
in my body
the marks
of the Lord Jesus.
Brethren,
the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit.
Amen.