Book of Galatians
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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.