Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

You have heard of my career and former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to hunt down and persecute the church of God extensively and [with fanatical zeal] tried [my best] to destroy it.

and how in my zeal for Judaism I outstripped many of my own age and nation, in my special zeal for the traditions of my forefathers.

So we placed our faith in Christ Jesus, in order that we might be pronounced righteous, as the result of faith in Christ, and not of obedience to Law; for such obedience 'will not result in even one soul's being pronounced righteous.'

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].

They shew a zeal for you, not honourably, but wish, to shut you out, in order that ye may be zealous for, them.

Howbeit it is, honourable, to show zeal in what is honourable at all times, and not only when I am present with you; -

idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, lawing, zeal, wrath, strife, sedition, sects,

All who desire to display their zeal for external observances try to compel you to receive circumcision, but their real object is simply to escape being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.