For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism, that to an extraordinary degree I was persecuting the church of God, and trying to destroy it,

neither returned to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto Damascus.

and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous among them, lest in any way I run or had run in vain;

to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add.

And the rest of the Jews went after him, so that even Barnabas was overcome by their false ways.

But when I saw that they went not the right way after the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter, before all men, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the gentiles, and not as do the Jews: why causest thou the gentiles to live as do the Jews?"

But if, while we were desiring to get righteousness through Christ, we ourselves were seen to be sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? In no way!

I do not annul God's grace; but if righteousness comes by way of the Law, then indeed Christ's death was useless.

In the same way, Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Brothers, I will use an illustration from the way people deal with each other: Even though an agreement is made between people, once it is finally settled, no one can cancel it or include additional provisions to it.

For if the inheritance is of Law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by way of promise.

Is the law then against the words of God? in no way; because if there had been a law which was able to give life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

So the Law has been our attendant on our way to Christ, so that we might be made upright through faith.

Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world.

They zealously seek you in no good way; nay, they desire to shut you out, that ye may seek them.

I wish I could be with you now, and use a different tone with you, for I do not know which way to turn about you.

But, just as it was then --- the son born in the ordinary way [i.e., Ishmael] persecuting the one born according to the Holy Spirit's [leading, i.e., Isaac] --- so it is now [i.e., Jews urging compliance with the requirements of the law of Moses persecuting those who refuse to return to dependance on that law for salvation. See 3:1-3].

But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave-woman and her son; for in no way shall the son of the slave-woman inherit with the son of the free woman."

You people, whoever you are among you, who try to get into right standing with God, through law have cut yourselves off from Christ, you have missed the way of God's favor.

For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].

You were running beautifully! Who was it that cut into your way and kept you from obeying the truth?

I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.

I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves!

You however, brethren, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures; but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love.

For the whole law of Moses can be fulfilled by [obeying this] one requirement [Lev. 19:18]: "You should love your neighbor the way you love yourself."

But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall no way fulfil flesh's lust.

If we live by the [guidance of the] Holy Spirit, we should also walk in [the ways of] the Holy Spirit.

Brothers, if any one of you is overwhelmed by a [particular] sin, those of you who are spiritually minded should [attempt to] restore such a person [to faithfulness]. But do it in a gentle way, being very careful that you yourself do not become tempted [to get involved in any sin].

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

And let us not get tired of well-doing; for at the right time we will get in the grain, if we do not give way to weariness.