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Book of Galatians

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Apostle Paul, (v 1:1) The book was to be read among the churches in Galatians, in Asia Minor, known today as Turkey. The book gives us some historical information about the Apostle Paul and deals much with the subject of not being under the law but rather justified by faith and not by works, (lest any man should boast). The last chapter closes with some general Christian doctrine.
six chapters
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Verse by verse, account of the book of Galatians.

Galatians: chapter 1

1Paul, an apostle, made not of men, or by men, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Christ from the dead. 2I and the brothers with me, write to you.

3Grace and peace to you and the churches in Galatia, from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. 4As was the will of the Father, Christ gave Himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil age. 5To Him be glory forever, Amen.

6I marvel that you are turning away so soon to another gospel, from Him who called you in by the grace of Christ. 7Which is really not another gospel, but there are some who trouble you, for they wish to pervert, (modify), the gospel of Christ. 8If anyone, preaches another gospel to you other than what we have preached, let him be accursed. 9I repeat, even if an angel from heaven, should preach another gospel to you, let him be accursed. 10For I do not strive to please men but God, For if I choose to please men, then I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

11The gospel that I preached to you is not according to man. 12For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it by man, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13You have heard of my past conduct in the Jewish region, how I persecuted the church of God, trying even to destroy it. 14And in my zeal I advanced in my Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, in the observance of the law, following the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from birth and called me through His grace. 16He revealed His Son within me, that I might preach Him among the gentiles. When this happened to me, I did not immediately seek council, 17nor did I go up to be with the other apostles in Jerusalem, rather I sought solitude.

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and remained with him for fifteen days. 19The only other apostle I saw was James, the Lord's brother. 20So concerning the things I write to you they are true, before God, I do not lie. 21Afterwards I went into Syria and Cilicia 22and was unknown to the churches of Christ, in these regions. 23And they were now hearing from the one preaching, who formerly persecuted the churches, trying even to destroy the faith. 24And they glorified God through me.

Galatians: chapter 2

1Fourteen years later I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus. 2I went up by revelation of God, preached among the Gentiles but also met privately with the church leaders, least they discredit me, making my labor to be in vain. 3Even Titus, who was with me and a Greek by birth, was not compelled to follow the Jewish traditions and be circumcised. 4This became known because of the false brethren who were brought into spy out our liberties that we have in Christ Jesus, that we might be brought into bondage. 5We did not entertain their request, even for one hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6These people acting as if they had a position of importance, did not influence me, for God shows no personal favoritism. 7But, on the contrary, when they all saw that the gospel to the Gentiles had been entrusted to me, as was the gospel to the Jews entrusted to Peter. 8And that it worked effectively in me for the Gentiles. 9When these pillars, James, Peter and John, perceived that grace had been given to us, they gave both myself and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. That we should go to the Gentiles and they go to the Jewish believers. 10Their one stipulation was that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I was eager to do.

11However, when Peter came to Antioch, I confronted him, for he was in the wrong. 12For when Peter had first arrived, he would eat with the Gentiles, but after certain men had come from the teachings of James, Peter would no longer associate with the Gentiles, fearing the legalistic Jews. 13Also the rest of the Jews aligned themselves with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel. In the presents of all, I said to Peter; If you as a Jew are living in the manor of the Gentiles, why then do you compel the Gentiles to live as Jews? 15Wherefore, we are Jews by nature, and not sinners as the people of the nations, 16We know that a man is not justified by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Even we believe in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ rather than by the works of the law, for the law has never justified anyone. 17But if we seek to be justified in Christ while trying to keep the law, we also have become sinners and we know that Christ is not a minister of sin. 18For if I attempted to keep the law that was torn down, I make myself a transgressor. 19For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. 20For I have been crucified with Christ, therefore, I no longer live but Christ lives within me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21Do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died in vain.

Galatians: chapter 3

1O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? That you should stray from the truth of the gospel of Christ, that you once so clearly understood what His crucifixion meant. 2Tell me; Did you receive the Holy Spirit through the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith? 3Are you so foolish, that having begun in the Spirit, you are now being made perfect through the works of the flesh? 4All of the tribulations you suffered, are they now all in vain? 5Does God, who supplied His Spirit to you and worked miracles among you, does He do this by the works of the law or by faith?

6Just as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to Him for righteousness. 7Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8God foresaw that the Gentiles would be justified by faith, for the scripture said this of Abraham, beforehand, that in Him all the nations would be blessed, Genesis chapter 17. 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

10For as many who trust in the works of the law are under the curse, for it has been written in the law of your fathers, cursed is everyone who does not keep and do all the things written in the book of the law, Deuteronomy 27:26.

11No one is justified by the law, in the sight of God, that is evident. For the just shall live by faith. 12For the law is not of faith. Yet, the man who chooses to keep the law shall live by the law. 13Don't you know that, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, as it is written; Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree, Deuteronomy 21:23.

14So that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles who are in Christ, that through faith we all might receive the Holy Spirit.

15Even though I speak in the manor of men, presenting to you man's covenant, yet it is confirmed and it cannot be appended to or voided out. 16To Abraham and his Seed was the promise made, the promise was not made to his "seeds", for Christ is that one Seed. 17And this I say, that the law, that came four hundred and thirty years after the promise was given, cannot make void the covenant that was confirmed before God in Christ. 18For if the inheritance is gained through the keeping of the law (by one's works), it is no longer of promise, but God gave His covenant to Abraham by promise.

The purpose of the law.

19What purpose then does the law serve? It was given to us because of our transgressions, until Christ should come to whom the promise was made. The law having been set in order by God through a mediator (Moses). 20Now through using a mediator you have more than one party that must abide by and uphold the agreement, but God is one, He was the sole Person in making the covenant promise.

21Is the law then against the promise of God? Certainly not! For if the law could have given life, truly righteousness would have been of the law. 22But the scripture has confined all under sin, that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23However, before faith came, we were confined by the law, kept for the faith that afterwards was revealed. 24Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might then be justified by faith. 25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26We are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is nether Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ's, you are Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise.

Galatians: chapter 4

1Now as long as the heir of an estate, is a child and under age, he is no different than a slave, even though he is still heir of the estate. 2For he remains under a guardianship until the time appointed by the father. 3Likewise when we were children we were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman and under the law. 5To redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6Because we are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out Abba Father! 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son and if a son then an heir of God through Christ.

8When you did not know God, you served by nature the things that were not gods. 9But now that you know God or rather are known by God, why do you turn back again to weak and beggarly elements that you desire, for they also bring bondage? 10Yet you observe special days and seasons. 11I am concerned for you, least my labors for you have been in vain.

12Brothers, I urge you to become as I am and live free of the law, for I have become as the Gentles are. You have not done me wrong before, do not do me wrong now. 13When I first came to you, I preached to you with a physical infirmity, 14but you did not despise me or reject me because of it, yet you received and exalted me as a man of God even as an angel of Christ Jesus. 15Where now is your happiness? For when I came to you before, you would have even given me your own eyes, if that were possible. 16Have I therefore, become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17The concepts of this world are zealously trying to court you, but not for your own good, their wish is that you in return be zealous for them. 18It is good to be zealous, if it is for a good thing, not only when I am present with you. 19Brethren, I labor for you in the Lord until Christ is formed in you. 20I wish I could be with you right now, so that I could change my tone with you, for I do have doubts concerning you.

21Tell me; You who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22For Abraham had two sons, one by a bondservant (Ishmael by Hagar) and the other by a free woman (Isaac by Sarah). 23But He that was born of the bondservant was born according to the flesh, but he that was born of the free woman was born through the promise. 24This is symbolic of the two covenants, the first one from Mount Sinai, (where the law was given), this gives birth to bondage and is symbolic to Hagar. 25For Hagar is a picture of Mount Sinai in Arabia and this is the current status of Jerusalem, which is also currently in bondage and all of her children.

26But the true Jerusalem born of the free woman is free and the mother of all. 27For it is written; Rejoice you who are barren, break forth and shout, you who are not in labor even though now you may weep, for the children of the desolate surpass the number of she which has a husband., Isaiah 54:1. 28Just as Isaac was, we are children of the promise. 29Now, he who was born according to the flesh, persecuted the one that was born of the Spirit, even as it is now. 30But the scripture says; Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman, Genesis 21:10. 31Therefore we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Galatians: chapter 5

1Therefore, be steadfast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2I Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, (in the flesh), to become right with God, it will profit you nothing in Christ. 3And I say to the man who becomes circumcised for this reason, he has put himself under the law and has become obligated to keep the entire law. 4You who attempt to be justified by the law, have become estranged from Christ and have fallen from grace. 5We through the Spirit eagerly await for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith works through love.

7You had been running the race successfully, who has now hindered you from keeping the truth? 8This evil persuasion is not of God, who has called you. 9It only takes a little leaven, a small error, to spread within and corrupt the entire body. 10But I have confidence in the Lord, that you will believe once again as I do and he that troubles you shall bear his own judgment. 11Brethren, if I preach the law and circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then the offense of the cross would have had ceased. 12Actually I wish brethren that those who trouble you would even cut their's off. 13For you have been called to liberty. But do not use your liberty as an opportunity to fulfill the desires of the flesh, but, through love serve one another. 14For the whole law is fulfilled by this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, Leviticus 19:18. 15But if you assault one another, beware least you be consumed by one another.

16Walk, then in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. 17For the flesh wars with the Spirit and the Spirit with the flesh and these two are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18But know that, if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident, they are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, out-bursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, divisions, heresies, 21envy, murders, drunkenness and revelries. As I have told you before, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh, together with its passions and desires. 25For if we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Not becoming conceited, provoking one another, or envying one another.

Galatians: chapter 6

1If a brother is overtaken with misconduct and sin, may his spiritual brother restore him with a spirit of gentleness, remembering that he could also be tempted and fall. 2Bearing one another burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks too highly of himself, when he is not, he deceives himself. 4Let each one examine his own conduct and work through his own good efforts, then he shall find satisfaction within himself rather than comparing himself with others. 5Each one then bearing his own load.

6Let him who receives instruction in the Word of God, share all good things with him who teaches. 7Do not be deceived God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that he shall also reap. 8For he who sows to the flesh will reap corruption, but he that sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life. 9Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10Therefore, as we have the opportunity let us do good to all, especially the brethren in Christ.

11I have written this to you in my own hand, see what large letters I make.

12Those who wish to make a good showing in the flesh, compelling others to be circumcised in the flesh. They do this so that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For they themselves do not keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised so they can boast in your flesh. 14May it be that I only boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, as I have also been to it. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but whether you are a new creation.

16As many who walk according to this, peace and mercy be upon them. 17From now on let no one trouble me, as to my apostleship in Christ, for I bear marks on my body from persecutions for the Lord.

18Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Amen.