Faith Brings Righteousness

1[a]You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of [b]the Law, or by hearing [c]with faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun [d]by the Spirit, are you now [e]being perfected by the flesh? 4Did you [f]suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works [g]miracles among you, do it by works of [h]the Law, or by hearing [i]with faith?

6Just as Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God [j]would justify the [k]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with [l]Abraham, the believer.

10For all who are of works of [m]the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM.” 11Now, that no one is justified [n]by [o]the Law before God is evident; for, “[p]THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12[q]However, the Law is not [r]of faith; on the contrary, “THE PERSON WHO PERFORMS [s]THEM WILL LIVE BY [t]THEM.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A [u]TREE”— 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15Brothers and sisters, I speak [v]in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s [w]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [x]conditions to it. 16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18For if the inheritance is [y]based on law, it is no longer [z]based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19Why the Law then? It was added on account of the [aa]violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a [ab]mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20Now a mediator is not [ac]for one party only; but God is only one. 21Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? [ad]Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness [ae]would indeed have been [af]based on law. 22But the Scripture has confined [ag]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23But before faith came, [ah]we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24Therefore the Law has become our [ai]guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [aj]guardian. 26For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is [ak]neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you [al]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s [am]descendants, heirs according to promise.

[a] 1 Lit O
[b] 2 Or law
[c] 2 Lit of faith
[d] 3 Or with
[e] 3 Or ending with
[f] 4 Or experience
[g] 5 Or works of power
[h] 5 Or law
[i] 5 Lit of faith
[j] 8 Lit justifies
[k] 8 Lit nations
[l] 9 Lit the believing Abraham
[m] 10 Or law
[n] 11 Or in
[o] 11 Or law
[p] 11 Or the one who is righteous by faith will live
[q] 12 Or And
[r] 12 Or based on
[s] 12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
[t] 12 I.e., the statutes of the Law
[u] 13 Or cross; lit wood; see Deut 21:23
[v] 15 Lit according to man
[w] 15 Or will; or testament
[x] 15 Or a codicil
[y] 18 Lit out of, from
[z] 18 Lit out of, from
[aa] 19 I.e., of God’s commands
[ab] 19 I.e., Moses
[ac] 20 Lit of one
[ad] 21 Lit May it never happen!
[ae] 21 Or would indeed be
[af] 21 Lit out of, from
[ag] 22 Lit all things
[ah] 23 I.e., the Jews
[ai] 24 I.e., children’s escort and supervisor
[aj] 25 See note v 24
[ak] 28 Lit not male and female
[al] 29 Lit are Christ’s
[am] 29 Lit seed