Defense of apostolic and personal authority / ministry / proof of Paul’s letter
8 doctrines (c/o of Marilyn Hickey Ministries)
1. Christians can fall from grace and return to legalism.
2. Paul’s gospel was a revelations direct from God.
3. Justification is by faith alone without the law.
4. Christians can live victoriously over sin.
5. The Holy Spirit places us into the Body of Christ.
6. The law of Moses in completely abolished. TOO STRONG?
7. Backsliders must return to grace and can be removed (restored).
8. All who go back to law-keeping are under obligation to observe the whole law. (The tension is we need to try to follow the 10 commandments, etc. We will sin.)
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), CLARIFIES HIS CALL
2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: ((Turkey)
3 Grace to you and peace from [a]God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil [b]age, according to the will of our God and Father, WE ARE STILL IN AN EVIL AGE.
5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. I WANT TO SEE HIS GLORY.
Perversion of the Gospel
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you [c]by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN FALSE GOSPELS.
7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. THINK ABOUT LDS, JW, ETC.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel [d]contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be [e]accursed! IGNORE WHAT I WRITE, DREAMS, ANGELS, ETC. IF THEY AREN’T BIBLICAL.
9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel [f]contrary (ANATHEMA) to what you received, he is to be [g]accursed! (ANATHEMA) HE REPEATED HIMSELF.
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. PETRA WARNED ABOUT BEING A MANPLEASER COMPARED TO BEING A GOD PLEASER.
Paul Defends His Ministry
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. AGAIN HE CLARIFIES HIS WORDS ARE OF GOD.
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; ACTS 22: 4 "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and
women into prisons”
14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my [h]countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. (HE WAS A FAMOUS RABBI.)
15 But when God, who had set me apart (sanctified) even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased HE WAS CALLED. WE ALL HAVE ONE.
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with [i]flesh and blood, (HE MET JESUS ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS AND WAS BLINDED BY THE LIGHT.)
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to (SAUDI?) Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus (SYRIA).
18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to [j]become acquainted with Cephas(PETER), and stayed with him fifteen days.
19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except [k]James, the Lord’s (older) brother. THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING.
20 (Now in what I am writing to you, [l]I assure you before God that I am not lying.) (HE IS CLARIFYING HE WROTE IT AS ISN’T LYING.)
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Turkey)
22 I was still unknown by [m]sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;
23 but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” PRAYERFULLY WE ARE TURNING OUR LIFE AROUND, TOO.
24 And they were glorifying God [n]because of me. DO PEOPLE THANK GOD FOR US?
Footnotes
a. Galatians 1:3 Two early mss read God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ
b. Galatians 1:4 Or world
c. Galatians 1:6 Lit in
d. Galatians 1:8 Or other than, more than
e. Galatians 1:8 Gr anathema
f. Galatians 1:9 Or other than, more than
g. Galatians 1:9 Gr anathema
h. Galatians 1:14 Lit race
i. Galatians 1:16 I.e. human beings
j. Galatians 1:18 Or visit Cephas
k. Galatians 1:19 Or Jacob
l. Galatians 1:20 Lit behold before God
m. Galatians 1:22 Lit face
n. Galatians 1:24 Lit in me
The Council at Jerusalem / personal testimony
2 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. PAUL’S MINISTRY WAS OVER A LONG TIME.
2 [a]It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. GIFT OF THE SPIRIT. COMPARE WORDS / DREAMS TO THE BIBLE AND STRONG BELIEVERS TO SEE IF THEY ARE SIMILAR. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF BEING WRONG.
3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. THIS WAS A JEWISH SIGN FOR MALES OF FOLLOWING GOD
4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. OTHERS KNOW OF THE FREEDOM WE HAVE IN CHRIST.
5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. WE NEED TO KEEP THE FAITH DURING PERSECUTION.
6 But from those who [b]were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God [c]shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. GOD LOVES ALL OF US, NOT JUST THE FAMOUS.
7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel [d]to the uncircumcised (GENTILES), just as Peter had been [e]to the circumcised (JEWS) - see C Peter Wagner, PhD on ministering to different races
8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship [f]to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), PETER WAS A FOLLOWER SENT OUT, TOO.
9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, [g]James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right [h]hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. FELLOWSHIP IS NEEDED.
10 They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul (INTERESTING HOW THEY DISAGREED)
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [i]stood condemned.
12 For prior to the coming of certain men from [j]James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing [k]the party of the circumcision. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF BEING TOO AFRAID.
13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. ARE WE FOLLOWING THE BIBLE OR NOT?
14 But when I saw that they were not [l]straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? [m]
15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; (NON-JEWS)
16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of [n]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus,
even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of [o]the Law; since by the works of [p]the Law no [q]flesh will be justified. THERE IS A TENSION BETWEEN WORKS AND FAITH
17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! IT WASN’T.
18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. SINNER
19 For through [r]the Law I died to [s]the Law, so that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and [t]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. WE GO THROUGH HARD TIMES FOLLOWING JESUS.
21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through [u]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” JESUS SHOWED US WE COULDN’T KEEP THE LAW.
Footnotes
a. Galatians 2:2 Lit according to revelation I went up
b. Galatians 2:6 Lit seemed to be something
c. Galatians 2:6 Lit does not receive a face
d. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the uncircumcision
e. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the circumcision
f. Galatians 2:8 Lit of the circumcision
g. Galatians 2:9 Or Jacob
h. Galatians 2:9 Lit hands
i. Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned, or, was self-condemned
j. Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
k. Galatians 2:12 Or converts from the circumcised; lit those from the circumcision
l. Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
m. Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
n. Galatians 2:16 Or law
o. Galatians 2:16 Or law
p. Galatians 2:16 Or law
q. Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
Marilyn Hickey wrote regarding Chapter 3 / 4:
A. All who believe are spiritual children of Abraham.
B. If you are under the law you are under the curse. Gal 3: 10-12, 24)
C. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. Gal 3: 13
D. Those who believe in Jesus are sons of God. Gal 3: 26
Faith Brings Righteousness
3 [a]You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? PAUL WAS DIRECT WITH THEM.
2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of [b]the Law, or by [c]hearing with faith? THE SPIRIT USES BOTH
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun [d]by the Spirit, are you now [e]being perfected by the flesh? PERFECT CAN MEAN MATURE.
4 Did you [f]suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? IRAQ / AFGHANISTAN?
5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works [g]miracles among you, do it by the works of [h]the Law, or by [i]hearing with faith? PAUL IS MAKING THEM THINK.
6 [j]Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Gen 15:6)
7 Therefore, [k]be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons oIf Abraham.
8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God [l]would justify the [m]Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” (Gen 12:3, 22:18, 28: 14) ALL THE PEOPLE GROUPS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS.
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with [n]Abraham, the believer.
10 For as many as are of the works of [o]the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” (Deut 27: 26) WE CAN’T IGNORE THE OT – WE LEARN FROM IT.
11 Now that no one is justified [p]by [q]the Law before God is evident; for, “[r]THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Hab 2:4) JOHN WIMBER = FAITH IS SPELLED RISK.
12 [s]However, the Law is not [t]of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE [u]BY THEM.” WE NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH. THIS IS A BIBLICAL QUOTE
13 Christ 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 [v]TREE”— (Deut 21:23) CROSS, IN OTHER WORDS.
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might [w]come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
15 Brethren, I speak [x]in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s [y]covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds [z]conditions to it.
16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.
17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
18 For if the inheritance is [aa]based on law, it is no longer [ab]based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19 Why the Law then? It was added [ac]because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the [ad]agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. WE SINNED, SO THE LORD GAVE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS, AND JEWS MADE 613 OTHER LAWS WHICH WE CAN’T KEEP. WE NEED A SAVIOR / MESSIAH. WE NEED JESUS.
20 Now a mediator is not [ae]for one party only; whereas God is only one.
21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness [af]would indeed have been [ag]based on law. WE NEED TO BE BALANCED WITH LAW AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
22 But the Scripture has shut up [ah]everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. WE NEED TO BELIEVE NOT JUST KNOW.
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF THE LAW.
24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. WE NEED TO LEARN WHO JESUS IS, AND TO BE RIGHT WITH HIM.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a [ai]tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. WE ARE SIBLINGS.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is [aj]neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. THE WORLD NEEDS THIS.
29 And if you [ak]belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s [al]descendants, heirs according to promise.
Footnotes
a. Galatians 3:1 Lit O
b. Galatians 3:2 Or law
c. Galatians 3:2 Lit the hearing of faith
d. Galatians 3:3 Or with
e. Galatians 3:3 Or ending with
f. Galatians 3:4 Or experience
g. Galatians 3:5 Or works of power
h. Galatians 3:5 Or law
i. Galatians 3:5 Lit the hearing of faith
j. Galatians 3:6 Lit Just as
k. Galatians 3:7 Lit know
l. Galatians 3:8 Lit justifies
m. Galatians 3:8 Lit nations
n. Galatians 3:9 Lit the believing Abraham
o. Galatians 3:10 Or law
p. Galatians 3:11 Or in
q. Galatians 3:11 Or law
r. Galatians 3:11 Or But he who is righteous by faith shall live
s. Galatians 3:12 Or And
t. Galatians 3:12 Or based on
u. Galatians 3:12 Or in
v. Galatians 3:13 Or cross; lit wood
w. Galatians 3:14 Or occur
x. Galatians 3:15 Lit according to man
y. Galatians 3:15 Or will or testament
z. Galatians 3:15 Or a codicil
Sonship in Christ (not slaves but children), the privilege of unity, deliverance from bondage
4 Now I say, as long as the heir is a [a]child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is [b]owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and [c]managers until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the [d]elemental things of the world.
The joy of spiritual freedom
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under [e]the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under [f]the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
(different than redeeming coupons)
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (see Mark 14:36, Rom 8:15 for the other places this is used).
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir [g]through God.
Contrast with the past, slaves or family, Paul's concern
8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.
Lament of distress
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the
weak and worthless [h]elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.
11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored [i]over you in vain.
Personal appeal, affection of the Galatians
12 I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;
13 but you know that it was because of a [j]bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the [k]first time; EYES?
14 and that which was a [l]trial to you in my [m]bodily condition you did not despise or [n]loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
15 Where then is [o]that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
16 So have I become your enemy by [p]telling you the truth?
Misplaced motives of the Judaizers
17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable [q]manner, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—
20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
Bond and Free
Bond and free, contrasting slavery and freedom, facts, lessons from Hagar and Sarah
21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?
22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.
23 But the son by the bondwoman [r]was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.
Symbolic interpretation
24 [s]This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children [t]who are to be slaves; [u]she is Hagar.
25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
26 But the Jerusalem above is free; [v]she is our mother.
27 For it is written,
“REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR;
FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.” (Isaiah 54: 1)
Personal Application
28 And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.
29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
30 But what does the Scripture say? “CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON,
FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.”
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, [w]but of the free woman.
Footnotes
a. Galatians 4:1 Or minor
b. Galatians 4:1 Lit lord
c. Galatians 4:2 Or stewards
d. Galatians 4:3 Or rudimentary teachings or principles
e. Galatians 4:4 Or law
f. Galatians 4:5 Or law
g. Galatians 4:7 I.e. through the gracious act of
h. Galatians 4:9 Or rudimentary teachings or principles
i. Galatians 4:11 Or for
j. Galatians 4:13 Lit weakness of the flesh
k. Galatians 4:13 Or former
l. Galatians 4:14 Or temptation
m. Galatians 4:14 Lit flesh
n. Galatians 4:14 Lit spit out at
o. Galatians 4:15 Lit the congratulation of yourselves
Walk by the Spirit, stand fast in liberty, the danger of bondage, slavery or (call to ) freedom / responsibility
5 [a]It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
A warning about legalism
2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
4 You have been severed from Christ, you who [b]are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5 For we [c]through the Spirit, [d]by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
An appeal for responsibility
7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. A LITTLE SIN CAN MESS US UP.
10 I have confidence [e]in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even [f]mutilate themselves.
The danger of license, the truth / explanation of freedom
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but
through love serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Walking by the spirit / the command
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh [g]sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you [h]please.
The deeds of the flesh / sins of sexual immorality, false worship / broken personal relationships, intemperance
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: [i]immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [j]factions, VICES
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. VIRTUES / PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY
24 Now those who [k]belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also [l]walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Footnotes
a. Galatians 5:1 Some authorities prefer to join with 4:31 and render but with the freedom of the free woman Christ set us free
b. Galatians 5:4 Or would be
c. Galatians 5:5 Lit by
d. Galatians 5:5 Lit out of
e. Galatians 5:10 Lit toward
f. Galatians 5:12 Or cut themselves off
g. Galatians 5:17 Lit lusts against
h. Galatians 5:17 Lit wish
i. Galatians 5:19 I.e. sexual immorality
j. Galatians 5:20 Or heresies
k. Galatians 5:24 Lit are of Christ Jesus
l. Galatians 5:25 Or follow the Spirit
BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS / LIVING GRACE THROUGH LOVE AND SERVICE / SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER
6 Brethren, even if [a]anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. DO WE EXCOMMUNICATE?
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
5 For each one will bear his own load.
SUPPORTING TEACHERS / SOWING AND REAPING / DOING GOOD
6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
10 So then, [b]while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
11 See with what large letters I [c]am writing to you with my own hand.
12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted [d]for the cross of Christ.
13 For those who [e]are circumcised do not even keep [f]the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through [g]which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new [h]creation.
THE PATH OF BLESSEDNESS
16 And those who will [i]walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Footnotes
a. Galatians 6:1 Gr anthropos
b. Galatians 6:10 Or as
c. Galatians 6:11 Or have written
d. Galatians 6:12 Or because of
e. Galatians 6:13 Two early mss read have been
f. Galatians 6:13 Or law
g. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
h. Galatians 6:15 Or creature
i. Galatians 6:16 Or follow this rule
