Historical

4 ¹ Now I say that as long as the heir^(A) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(B) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elements^[a] of the world.^{(C) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(F) 6} And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(G) into our^[b] hearts, crying, ‘Abba,^[c] Father! ’^{(H) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(I) but a son,^(J) and if a son, then God has made you an heir.^(K)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, since you didn’t know God,^(L) you were enslaved to things^[d] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,^(M) or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless^(N) elements?^(O) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You are observing special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(P) 11} I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labour for you has been wasted.

¹² I beg you, brothers and sisters: Become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have not wronged me; ¹³ you know^[e] that previously I preached the gospel to you because of a weakness of the flesh. ¹⁴ You did not despise or reject me though my physical condition was a trial for you.^[f] On the contrary, you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus himself.

¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?^{(Q) 17} They court you eagerly, but not for good. They want to exclude you from me, so that you would pursue them. ¹⁸ But it is always good to be pursued^[g] in a good manner – and not just when I am with you. ¹⁹ My children,^(R) I am again suffering labour pains^(S) for you until Christ is formed in you. ²⁰ I would like to be with you here and now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you.

Sarah and Hagar: Two Covenants

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, don’t you hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham^(T) had two sons, one by a slave^(U) and the other by a free woman. ²³ But the one by the slave was born as a result of the flesh, while the one by the free woman was born through promise. ²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai^(V) and bears children into slavery – this is Hagar.^{(W) 25} Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia^(X) and corresponds to the present Jerusalem,^(Y) for she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem above^(Z) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written,^(AA)

²⁸ Now you too, brothers and sisters, like Isaac,^(AD) are children of promise.^{(AE) 29} But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit,^(AF) so also now.^{(AG) 30} But what does the Scripture say? ‘Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a co-heir with the son of the free woman.’^{[i](AH) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave but of the free woman.^(AI)

Freedom of the Christian

5 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,^(AJ) then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(AK) 2} Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to do the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(AL) 5} For we eagerly await^(AM) through the Spirit, by faith, the hope^(AN) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(AO) working through love.^(AP)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(AQ) 8} This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(AR) 9} A little leaven^[j] leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I myself am persuaded in the Lord that you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(AS) 11} Now, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offence of the cross^(AT) has been abolished. ¹² I wish that those who are disturbing you would also let themselves be mutilated!

¹³ For you were called^(AU) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^[k] for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(AV) in one statement: Love your neighbour as yourself.^{[l](AW) 15} But if you bite and devour^(AX) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit^(AY) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(AZ) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(BA) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[m] sexual immorality,^(BB) moral impurity,^(BC) promiscuity,^{(BD) 20} idolatry,^(BE) sorcery,^(BF) hatreds,^(BG) strife,^(BH) jealousy,^(BI) outbursts of anger,^(BJ) selfish ambitions,^(BK) dissensions,^(BL) factions,^{(BM) 21} envy,^[n](BN) drunkenness, carousing,^(BO) and anything similar. I am warning you about these things – as I warned you before – that those who practise such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(BP)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(BQ) is love,^(BR) joy,^(BS) peace, patience,^(BT) kindness,^(BU) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(BV) and self-control.^(BW) The law is not against such things.^{[o] 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(BX) have crucified the flesh^(BY) with its passions and desires.^{(BZ) 25} If we live^(CA) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(CB)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle^(CC) spirit,^[p](CD) watching out for yourselves so that you won’t also be tempted.^{(CE) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.^{(CF) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(CG) he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person examine his own work,^(CH) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share^(CI) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(CJ) will reap eternal life^(CK) from the Spirit. ⁹ Let us not get tired^(CL) of doing good,^(CM) for we shall reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work^(CN) for the good^(CO) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(CP) of faith.^(CQ)

Concluding Exhortation

¹¹ Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. ¹² Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh^(CR) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised^(CS) – but only to avoid being persecuted^(CT) for the cross^(CU) of Christ. ¹³ For even the circumcised don’t keep^(CV) the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For^[q] both circumcision and uncircumcision^(CW) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.^{(CX) 16} May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel^(CY) of God!^[r]

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.^{(CZ) 18} Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(DA) Amen.