3Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
4Have you experienced Or suffered so much in vain—if it really was in vain?
5So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
6So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Gen. 15:6
7Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
8Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18
9So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
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