Justified By The Law, Or Justified By Faith?
1 O you foolish and thoughtless and superficial Galatians, who has bewitched you [that you would act like this], to whom—right before your very eyes—Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified [in the gospel message]?
1 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?
1 (a)You foolish (A)Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ (B)was publicly portrayed as crucified?
1 You foolish(A) Galatians! Who has hypnotized you,(a) before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed(b) as crucified?(B)
1 You foolish Galatians! Who put you under a spell? Was not Jesus the Messiah clearly portrayed before your very eyes as having been crucified?
2 This is all I want to ask of you: did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying [the requirements of] the Law, or was it the result of hearing [the message of salvation and] with faith [believing it]?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of (b)the Law, or by (c)(C)hearing with faith?
2 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?(c)
2 I want to learn only one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the actions of the Law or by believing what you heard?
3 Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?(d)
3 Are you so foolish? Having started out with the Spirit, are you now ending up with the flesh?
5 So then, does He who supplies you with His [marvelous Holy] Spirit and works miracles among you, do it as a result of the works of the Law [which you perform], or because you [believe confidently in the message which you] heard with faith?
5 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?
5 So then, does He who (E)provides you with the Spirit and (F)works (g)miracles among you, do it by the works of (h)the Law, or by (i)(G)hearing with faith?
5 So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles(D) among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?(e)
5 Does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do the actions of the Law or because you believe what you heard?
6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, [as conformity to God’s will and purpose—so it is with you also].(A)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
6 In the same way, Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
7 So understand that it is the people who live by faith [with confidence in the power and goodness of God] who are [the true] sons of (a)Abraham.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
7 You see, then, that those who have faith are Abraham's real descendants.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”(B)
8 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.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God (l)would justify the (m)Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “(L)All the nations will be blessed in you.”
8 Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham,(H) saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.(I)(g)
8 Because the Scripture saw ahead of time that God would justify the gentiles by faith, it announced the gospel to Abraham beforehand when it said, "Through you all nations will be blessed."
9 So then those who are people of faith [whether Jew or Gentile] are blessed and favored by God [and declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with Him] along with Abraham, the believer.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
9 Therefore, those who believe are blessed together with Abraham, the one who believed.
Law And Promise
10 For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed (condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.”(C)
10 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.
10 For as many as are of the works of (o)the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “(N)Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,(K) because it is written:(L) Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed.(M)(i)
10 Certainly all who depend on the actions of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, "A curse on everyone who does not obey everything that is written in the Book of the Law!"
11 Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “The righteous (the just, the upright) shall live by faith.”(D)
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
11 Now that (O)no one is justified (p)by (q)the Law before God is evident; for, “(r)(P)The righteous man shall live by faith.”
11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live(N) by faith.(O)(j)
11 Now it is obvious that no one is justified in the sight of God by the Law, because "The righteous will live by faith."
12 But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “He who practices them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [instead of faith].”(E)
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
12 (s)However, the Law is not (t)of faith; on the contrary, “(Q)He who practices them shall live (u)by them.”
12 But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.(P)(k)
12 But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, "The person who keeps the commandments will have life in them."
13 Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”—(F)
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:
13 Christ (R)redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “(S)Cursed is everyone who hangs on (T)a (v)tree”—
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,(Q) because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.(R)(l)
13 The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written, "A curse on everyone who is hung on a tree!"
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
14 in order that (U)in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might (w)come to the Gentiles, so that we (V)would receive (W)the promise of the Spirit through faith.
14 The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.(S)
14 This happened in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the gentiles through the Messiah Jesus, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
The Promise To Abraham And His Descendant
15 Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way].
15 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.
15 (X)Brethren, (Y)I speak (x)in terms of human relations: (Z)even though it is only a man’s (y)covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds (z)conditions to it.
15 Brothers, I’m using a human illustration.(m) No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant(n) that has been ratified.
15 Brothers, let me use an example from everyday life. Once an agreement has been ratified, no one can cancel it or add conditions to it.
16 Now the promises [in the covenants] were decreed to Abraham and to his seed. God does not say, “And to seeds (descendants, heirs),” as if [referring] to many [persons], but as to one, “And to your Seed,” who is [none other than] Christ.(G)
16 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.
16 Now the promises were spoken (AA)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “(AB)And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed,(T)(o) who is Christ.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant," referring to one person, who is the Messiah.
17 This is what I mean: the Law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later [after the covenant concerning the coming Messiah], does not and cannot invalidate the covenant previously established by God, so as to abolish the promise.(H)
17 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.
17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (AC)four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
17 And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later,(U) does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God(p) and cancel the promise.
17 This is what I mean: The Law that came 430 years later did not cancel the covenant that God ratified previously. The promise was never nullified.
18 For if the inheritance [of what was promised] is based on [observing] the Law [as these false teachers claim], it is no longer based on a promise; however, God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
18 For (AD)if the inheritance is (aa)based on law, it is no longer (ab)based on a promise; but (AE)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
18 For if the inheritance comes about through the Law, it no longer comes about through the promise. But it was through a promise that God so graciously gave it to Abraham.
The Addition Of The Law
19 Why, then, the Law [what was its purpose]? It was added [after the promise to Abraham, to reveal to people their guilt] because of transgressions [that is, to make people conscious of the sinfulness of sin], and [the Law] was ordained through angels and delivered to Israel by the hand of a mediator [Moses, the mediator between God and Israel, to be in effect] until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
19 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.
19 (AF)Why the Law then? It was added (ac)because of transgressions, having been (AG)ordained through angels (AH)by the (ad)agency of a mediator, until (AI)the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
19 Why then was the law given?(V) It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels(W) by means of a mediator.(X)
19 Why, then, was the Law added? Because of transgressions, until the descendant came about whom the promise pertained. It was put into effect through angels by means of a mediator.
20 Now the mediator or go-between [in a transaction] is not [needed] for just one party; whereas God is only one [and was the only One giving the promise to Abraham, but the Law was a contract between two, God and Israel; its validity depended on both].
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
20 Now a mediator involves more than one party, but God is one.
The Purpose Of The Law Of Moses
21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a system of law had been given which could impart life, then righteousness (right standing with God) would actually have been based on law.
21 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.
21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (AK)May it never be! For (AL)if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness (af)would indeed have been (ag)based on law.
21 Is the law therefore contrary to God’s promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law.
21 So is the Law in conflict with the promises of God? Of course not! For if a law had been given that could give us life, then certainly righteousness would come through the Law.
22 But the Scripture has imprisoned (b)everyone [everything—the entire world] under sin, so that [the inheritance, the blessing of salvation] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s precious Son].
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
22 But the Scripture has (AM)shut up (ah)everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power,(q)(Z) so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ(AA) might be given to those who believe.(AB)
22 But the Scripture has captured everything by means of sin's net, so that what was promised by the faithfulness of the Messiah might be granted to those who believe.
23 Now before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, [perpetually] imprisoned [in preparation] for the faith that was destined to be revealed,
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, (AN)being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
23 Before this faith(AC) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.(AD)
23 Now before faith came about, we were held in custody and confined under the Law in preparation for the faith that was to be revealed.
24 with the result that the Law has become our tutor and our disciplinarian to guide us to Christ, so that we may be (c)justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] by faith.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
24 Therefore the Law has become our (AO)tutor to lead us to Christ, so that (AP)we may be justified by faith.
24 And so the Law was our guardian until the Messiah came, so that we might be justified by faith.
26 For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
26 for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
26 For all of you are God's children through faith in the Messiah Jesus.
Sons And Heirs
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values].
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
27 Indeed, all of you who were baptized into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah.
28 There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority].(I)
28 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.
28 (AV)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is (aj)neither male nor female; for (AW)you are all one in (AX)Christ Jesus.
28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,(AH) male or female;(AI) for you are all one(AJ) in Christ Jesus.
28 Because all of you are one in the Messiah Jesus, a person is no longer a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a male or a female.
29 And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
29 And if (AY)you (ak)belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s (al)descendants, heirs according to (AZ)promise.
29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs(AK) according to the promise.(AL) >
29 And if you belong to the Messiah, then you are Abraham's descendants indeed, and heirs according to the promise.