Galatians 3
Justification by Faith
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, aor by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? aHaving begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by bthe flesh? 4 aHave you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham a“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only athose who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And athe Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, b“In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
The Law Brings a Curse
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, a“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for a“the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet athe law is not of faith, but b“the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 aChrist has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, b“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 athat the blessing of Abraham might come upon the bGentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive cthe promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Changeless Promise
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: aThough it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of aone, b“And to your Seed,” who is cChrist. 17 And this I say, that the law, awhich was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, bthat it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if athe inheritance is of the law, bit is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Purpose of the Law
19 What purpose then does the law serve? aIt was added because of transgressions, till the bSeed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was cappointed through angels by the hand dof a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, abut God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined aall under sin, bthat the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore athe law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, bthat we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sons and Heirs
26 For you aare all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For aas many of you as were baptized into Christ bhave put on Christ. 28 aThere is neither Jew nor Greek, bthere is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all cone in Christ Jesus. 29 And aif you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s bseed, and cheirs according to the promise.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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