\id GAL - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h Galatians 
\toc3 Gal. 
\toc2 Galatians 
\toc1 The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians 
\mt1 The Epistle of Paul to the  
\mt2 GALATIANS  
\c 1  
\ms1 Introduction  
\s1 Salutation  
\m
\v 1 \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, \w an|strong="G2532"\w* apostle—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w men|strong="G3588"\w* \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G3498"\w*,\f + \fr 1:1 \ft Paul's apostleship did not depend upon human ordination or recognition. So what about apostleship today?\f* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*\f + \fr 1:1 \ft The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is absolutely central to the Christian Faith (1 Corinthians 15:14,17).\f*—  
\v 2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* brothers \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,\f + \fr 1:2 \ft It would be interesting to know who those “brothers” were.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* congregations \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w Galatia|strong="G1053"\w*:\f + \fr 1:2 \ft “The congregations in Galatia”—Paul evidently intended that the letter be widely circulated. Would not each congregation want its own copy?\f*  
\v 3 \w Grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w from|strong="G1515"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,  
\v 4 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w*\f + \fr 1:4 \ft In John 10:17-18 Sovereign Jesus made this clear.\f* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* sins, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w deliver|strong="G1807"\w* \w us|strong="G1325"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w present|strong="G1764"\w* \w malignant|strong="G4190"\w* age,\f + \fr 1:4 \ft The word ‘malignant’ properly refers to Satan, the ‘god of this world’, so “this present malignant age” presumably refers to the whole world system controlled by Satan. All human cultures have suffered satanic influence, and all true followers of Sovereign Jesus should place biblical values above those of their surrounding culture. The second (last) Adam came to recover all that the first Adam lost—precisely the will of the Father.\f* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*,  
\v 5 \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G1391"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w*. Amen.   
\s1 Paul is disappointed  
\p
\v 6 \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* sadly \w surprised|strong="G2296"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w turning|strong="G3346"\w* away \w so|strong="G3779"\w* \w quickly|strong="G5030"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w different|strong="G2087"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2098"\w*  
\v 7 —\w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* mere variation, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w certain|strong="G5100"\w* \w people|strong="G1510"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* unsettling \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w wanting|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w distort|strong="G3344"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* angel \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*, \w should|strong="G2532"\w* \w preach|strong="G2097"\w* \w any|strong="G1437"\w* \w other|strong="G3739"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w preached|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w let|strong="G1510"\w* \w him|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* accursed!  
\v 9 \w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G5613"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w here|strong="G1510"\w* emphatically repeat: \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* preaches \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w other|strong="G3739"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w than|strong="G3844"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w received|strong="G3880"\w*, \w let|strong="G1510"\w* \w him|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* accursed!!\f + \fr 1:9 \ft ‘Other gospels’ would seem to be in plentiful supply; those who promote them are under a curse. Note that Paul is claiming to be competent to define the only true Gospel of Christ, and he can only do so genuinely by divine inspiration.\f*   
\p
\v 10 \w Am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w just|strong="G3588"\w* \w now|strong="G1510"\w* appealing \w to|strong="G2212"\w* \w men|strong="G1401"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w to|strong="G2212"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*?\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Since it is God who applies the curse, he is appealing to God to back him up. I myself do this habitually.\f* \w Or|strong="G2228"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w trying|strong="G2212"\w* \w to|strong="G2212"\w* please \w men|strong="G1401"\w*? \w You|strong="G1487"\w* see, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* pleasing \w men|strong="G1401"\w* \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w would|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w slave|strong="G1401"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 1:10 \ft Oops! Come on Paul, you cannot be serious. Do you really mean that pleasing men and being a slave of Christ are mutually exclusive? On the basis of my experience I would have to agree with Paul, with the understanding that fellow slaves are not included in the ‘pleasing men’. (When I am pleasing Christ His other slaves should be pleased as well.)\f*   
\ms1 Paul's credentials  
\p
\v 11 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* want \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w know|strong="G1107"\w*, brothers, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w preached|strong="G2097"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w man|strong="G3756"\w*;  
\v 12 \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w did|strong="G3880"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w receive|strong="G3880"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w any|strong="G3761"\w* man, \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w was|strong="G2424"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w taught|strong="G1321"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w*; \w rather|strong="G3844"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w came|strong="G1223"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1223"\w* revelation \w from|strong="G3844"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 1:12 \ft I follow what I understand to be the best line of transmission (though in a minority here, 30%) that reads ‘Christ’ without ‘Jesus’. I take it that ‘Christ’ is in the ablative case: ‘from’ rather than ‘of’. Paul is claiming revelation—this is the plain meaning of verses 11-12. Saul of Tarsus got his training in Judaism at the feet of Gamaliel, but his understanding of Christianity came from no such human teacher.\f*   
\s1 How he was before  
\p
\v 13 \w You|strong="G3754"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* heard \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w former|strong="G4218"\w* conduct \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Judaism|strong="G2454"\w*, \w how|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* rabid \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w persecution|strong="G1377"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w Church|strong="G1577"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* tried \w to|strong="G2532"\w* annihilate \w it|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\v 14 \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w advancing|strong="G4298"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Judaism|strong="G2454"\w* \w beyond|strong="G5228"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* Jews \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* own age, \w being|strong="G5225"\w* \w far|strong="G3588"\w* \w more|strong="G4183"\w* \w zealous|strong="G2207"\w* \w for|strong="G5228"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w traditions|strong="G3862"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* forefathers.   
\s1 How he was recycled  
\p
\v 15 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w God|strong="G2532"\w*—\w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w set|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* apart \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w my|strong="G1473"\w* \w mother|strong="G3384"\w*'s \w womb|strong="G2836"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*—resolved  
\v 16 \w to|strong="G2443"\w* reveal \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G2097"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*/\w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* start \w by|strong="G1722"\w* consulting \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* blood,  
\v 17 \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w go|strong="G1519"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2414"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* apostles \w before|strong="G4253"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w*; rather \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w went|strong="G2532"\w* off \w into|strong="G1519"\w* Arabia,\f + \fr 1:17 \ft Do you suppose he went to Mt. Horeb?\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w returned|strong="G5290"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Damascus|strong="G1154"\w*.   
\s1 A new life and ministry  
\p
\v 18 Subsequently, \w after|strong="G3326"\w* \w three|strong="G5140"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w*,\f + \fr 1:18 \ft The Text does not say that he spent three years in Arabia; part of the time he was in Damascus.\f* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w went|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2414"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* compare notes \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w Peter|strong="G2532"\w*,\f + \fr 1:18 \ft 98% of the Greek manuscripts have “Peter”, not ‘Cephas’. In 2:1 below it is 93%.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w stayed|strong="G1961"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w him|strong="G2532"\w* \w fifteen|strong="G1178"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w*.  
\v 19 (\w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w saw|strong="G3708"\w* \w none|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G2962"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w other|strong="G2087"\w* apostles \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w James|strong="G2385"\w*, \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*'\w s|strong="G2962"\w* brother.\f + \fr 1:19 \ft Note that this James, though not one of the Twelve, is declared to be an apostle.\f*  
\v 20 Really, \w before|strong="G1799"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w lying|strong="G5574"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w write|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.)  
\v 21 \w Then|strong="G2532"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w went|strong="G2064"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w regions|strong="G2824"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Syria|strong="G4947"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Cilicia|strong="G2791"\w*.  
\v 22 \w So|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w remained|strong="G1510"\w* unknown \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* congregations \w of|strong="G1577"\w* \w Judea|strong="G2449"\w* (\w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*)\f + \fr 1:22 \ft Every town with a synagogue would have a local congregation, but usually not “in Christ”.\f*  
\v 23 —\w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w just|strong="G3440"\w* \w kept|strong="G3739"\w* hearing \w that|strong="G3754"\w* “\w He|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w once|strong="G4218"\w* \w persecuted|strong="G1377"\w* \w us|strong="G2097"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* proclaims \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w formerly|strong="G4218"\w* tried \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w destroy|strong="G4199"\w*.”  
\v 24 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w glorified|strong="G1392"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*.   
\c 2  
\s1 How he was recognized by the apostolate  
\m
\v 1 \w Fourteen|strong="G1180"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w* \w later|strong="G3326"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w went|strong="G2532"\w* \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2414"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* Barnabas, \w taking|strong="G4838"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w* \w along|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*.  
\v 2 \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w went|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w basis|strong="G2596"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* revelation \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w set|strong="G2532"\w* \w before|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* [\w the|strong="G1722"\w* main apostles] \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G2784"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*/\w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*.\f + \fr 2:2 \ft This event is described in more detail in Acts chapter 15, where verse 3 says they were “sent on their way by the church”. Here Paul says he went “on the basis of a revelation”—I suppose he is referring mainly to the content of what he set before the apostles and elders. I gather that Paul and Barnabas had a closed session with James, Peter and John before going to the whole assembly.\f*—\w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w privately|strong="G2398"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* influence, \w lest|strong="G3361"\w* somehow \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w run|strong="G5143"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w run|strong="G5143"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w vain|strong="G2756"\w*.  
\v 3 However, \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w even|strong="G3761"\w* \w Titus|strong="G5103"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w was|strong="G1510"\w* compelled \w to|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w*, \w for|strong="G3761"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*.  
\v 4 \w This|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G3588"\w* \w up|strong="G1722"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w false|strong="G5569"\w* brothers \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* smuggled \w in|strong="G1722"\w*\f + \fr 2:4 \ft Who was responsible for the smuggling? And in whose service were they, really, even though they were evidently part of the Christian community?\f* (\w who|strong="G3739"\w* stole \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w spy|strong="G2684"\w* \w out|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* reduce \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* slavery),  
\v 5 \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w we|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w yield|strong="G1502"\w*, \w even|strong="G3761"\w* \w for|strong="G4314"\w* \w a|strong="G4314"\w* \w moment|strong="G5610"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* truth \w of|strong="G2098"\w* \w the|strong="G4314"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w might|strong="G5610"\w* \w continue|strong="G1265"\w* \w with|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.—  
\v 6 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w seemed|strong="G1380"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* important (\w whatever|strong="G5100"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w makes|strong="G1308"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w difference|strong="G1308"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*; \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w shows|strong="G2983"\w* \w favoritism|strong="G2983"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w man|strong="G5100"\w*)—\w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* influence \w contributed|strong="G4323"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*,  
\v 7 \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w on|strong="G4061"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w contrary|strong="G5121"\w*, \w upon|strong="G3588"\w* \w seeing|strong="G3708"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G3754"\w* \w had|strong="G3588"\w* been \w entrusted|strong="G4100"\w* \w with|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* uncircumcised, \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w Peter|strong="G4074"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w*  
\v 8 (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w at|strong="G1519"\w* \w work|strong="G1754"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w Peter|strong="G4074"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* apostleship \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4061"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w at|strong="G1519"\w* \w work|strong="G1754"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* uncircumcised),  
\v 9 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w upon|strong="G1519"\w* \w perceiving|strong="G1097"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w had|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*, \w James|strong="G2385"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Cephas|strong="G2786"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w John|strong="G2491"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w reputed|strong="G1380"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w pillars|strong="G4769"\w*, \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Barnabas \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w fellowship|strong="G2842"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w go|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Jews.\f + \fr 2:9 \ft Literally, ‘circumcised’.\f*  
\v 10 \w They|strong="G2532"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* ask \w us|strong="G4160"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w keep|strong="G4160"\w* \w remembering|strong="G3421"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w poor|strong="G4434"\w*, \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w very|strong="G2532"\w* \w thing|strong="G3778"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w eager|strong="G4704"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w*.\f + \fr 2:10 \ft The early Church did not ignore the physical needs of the poor.\f*   
\s1 Paul has to rebuke Peter  
\p
\v 11 \w But|strong="G1161"\w*, \w when|strong="G3753"\w* Peter \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* Antioch, \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w opposed|strong="G2596"\w* \w him|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w his|strong="G1519"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* blameworthy.  
\v 12 \w Before|strong="G4253"\w* \w certain|strong="G5100"\w* \w men|strong="G5100"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w James|strong="G2385"\w*,\f + \fr 2:12 \ft Note that in verse 9 James is listed before Peter and John, and in Acts 15:13 it is James who gives the verdict. James became the boss in Jerusalem, and I gather from what is recorded in Acts 21:18-25 that he was sliding back toward Judaism.\f* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* used \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w eat|strong="G4906"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w*; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w began|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* draw \w back|strong="G5288"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* separate \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w fearing|strong="G5399"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* party.  
\v 13 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w rest|strong="G3062"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* played \w the|strong="G2532"\w* hypocrite \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G2532"\w* \w well|strong="G2532"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* Barnabas \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w carried|strong="G4879"\w* \w away|strong="G4879"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w hypocrisy|strong="G5272"\w*.\f + \fr 2:13 \ft That even Barnabas went along shook Paul up; the situation had gotten out of hand. Someone had to take a stand.\f*  
\v 14 \w So|strong="G2532"\w* \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w saw|strong="G3708"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* walking straight \w according|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* truth \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w said|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w Peter|strong="G2532"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w front|strong="G1715"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*: “\w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*, \w being|strong="G5225"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w*, \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w like|strong="G1483"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentile|strong="G1484"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w like|strong="G1483"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w*, \w why|strong="G3754"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w* compel \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w like|strong="G1483"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w*?  
\v 15 \w We|strong="G2249"\w* \w natural|strong="G5449"\w* \w Jews|strong="G2453"\w* (\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* ‘\w Gentile|strong="G1484"\w* sinners’),\f + \fr 2:15 \ft My impression is that Paul is being a little sarcastic here, since the Jews liked to think that they were better than the Gentiles.\f*  
\v 16 \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w* \w is|strong="G5547"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G2249"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*; \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 2:16 \ft This point is so important that Paul says it three times!\f*  
\v 17 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w*\f + \fr 2:17 \ft We have here what in Greek grammar is called a ‘condition of fact’—the protasis is presented as being true—so that often ‘if’ should be ‘since’. By using ‘we’, Paul is associating himself with Peter and the others as a sinner (a nice touch), but they are already Christians, so he goes on to reject the notion that Christ could be viewed as an accomplice to their sin.\f* \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w seeking|strong="G2212"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w ourselves|strong="G1096"\w* \w were|strong="G1096"\w* discovered \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* sinners, \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1096"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w minister|strong="G1249"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* sin? \w Of|strong="G2532"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*!   
\p
\v 18 “Now \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w rebuild|strong="G3618"\w* \w the|strong="G1063"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w destroyed|strong="G2647"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* acknowledge \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* am \w a|strong="G1487"\w* \w transgressor|strong="G3848"\w*.\f + \fr 2:18 \ft Whereas he had once tried to destroy the Church, he is now building it, which amounts to recognizing that he had been wrong before, a transgressor.\f*  
\v 19 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* died \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w in|strong="G2316"\w* \w order|strong="G2443"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 2:19 \ft He thought he was serving God before, persecuting the Church in his zeal for the law. But ‘the law’ crucified Christ, and in declaring allegiance to the crucified Christ he died to the law, so that he could really live for God. Galatians 4:4 says that the Son was “born under law”.\f*  
\v 20 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4957"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w lives|strong="G2198"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*; \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w body|strong="G4561"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* loved \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G3860"\w* \w Himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w place|strong="G1722"\w*.\f + \fr 2:20 \ft A tremendous statement, and when we allow it to function in our lives it is an equally tremendous truth! Those who try to live the Christian life in their own strength generally make a poor job of it; when I allow Christ to live His life through me He makes a good job of it (to the extent that I stay out of the way).\f*  
\v 21 \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G1223"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* nullify \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1223"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w then|strong="G1063"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3756"\w*!”\f + \fr 2:21 \ft This is a very serious statement! Anyone who can save himself does not need Christ's sacrifice.\f*   
\c 3  
\ms1 Law or faith  
\m
\v 1 \w O|strong="G5599"\w* foolish \w Galatians|strong="G1052"\w*! \w Who|strong="G3739"\w* \w has|strong="G3739"\w* bewitched \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w not|strong="G3739"\w* \w be|strong="G5547"\w* persuaded \w by|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2596"\w* Truth\f + \fr 3:1 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “that you not be persuaded by the Truth” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.), which weakens the statement considerably.\f*—\w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w was|strong="G2424"\w* clearly \w portrayed|strong="G4270"\w* \w among|strong="G2596"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G2596"\w* having \w been|strong="G5547"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4717"\w*, \w before|strong="G2596"\w* \w your|strong="G5101"\w* \w very|strong="G4771"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w*!\f + \fr 3:1 \ft It almost sounds like there was a dramatic demonstration.\f*  
\v 2 \w Just|strong="G3440"\w* tell \w me|strong="G2983"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w thing|strong="G3778"\w*: \w Did|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* hearing \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*?  
\v 3 Can \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* foolish? \w Having|strong="G4151"\w* \w begun|strong="G1728"\w* \w in|strong="G4151"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w do|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w finish|strong="G2005"\w* \w in|strong="G4151"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*?  
\v 4 \w Have|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w much|strong="G5118"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w nothing|strong="G1500"\w*—\w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* really \w was|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w nothing|strong="G1500"\w*?  
\v 5 \w Furthermore|strong="G2532"\w*, \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w supplies|strong="G2023"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w miracles|strong="G1411"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \it is He activated\it* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* hearing \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*?\f + \fr 3:5 \ft Although I have capitalized the pronoun, there must have been a human being involved as well.\f*—  
\v 6 \w just|strong="G2531"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w Abraham|strong="G4100"\w* ‘\w believed|strong="G4100"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w credited|strong="G3049"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G2531"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*.’\f + \fr 3:6 \ft This is a quote from Genesis 15:6, but is not presented as such.\f*   
\p
\v 7 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* only \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w sons|strong="G5207"\w*’ \w of|strong="G1537"\w* Abraham.  
\v 8 Further, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w*, foreseeing \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w would|strong="G2316"\w* \w justify|strong="G1344"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,\f + \fr 3:8 \ft The form of the verb is ambiguous as to mood; it could be either Indicative or Subjunctive. The Indicative would give a direct quote, “God justifies the nations by faith”, but we don't find this quote in the OT, so I chose the Subjunctive. Notice that ‘the Scripture’ is personified! It/He sees/knows in advance what God is going to do.\f* proclaimed \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G4283"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* advance \w to|strong="G1722"\w* Abraham: “\w All|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w blessed|strong="G1757"\w* \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G4771"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:8 \ft This is a direct quote from Genesis 12:3, which, of course, had not been written yet in Abraham's day (in his day the only written Scripture available was the book of Job). Notice that the personification of ‘Scripture’ continues; It/He is the One who said this to Abraham, so all we need to do is go back to Genesis to find out who it is—Jehovah Himself, presumably the Son!\f*  
\v 9 \w So|strong="G5620"\w* \w then|strong="G5620"\w*, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w blessed|strong="G2127"\w* \w along|strong="G4862"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* Abraham, \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w*.   
\s1 The curse of the law  
\p
\v 10 \w Now|strong="G1510"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* ‘\w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*’ \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w curse|strong="G2671"\w*; \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* stands \w written|strong="G1125"\w*, “\w Cursed|strong="G1944"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w continue|strong="G1696"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Book|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:10 \ft This is a direct quote from Deuteronomy 27:26.\f*  
\v 11 Further, \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w evident|strong="G1212"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w before|strong="G3844"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* “\w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:11 \ft This is a quote from Habakkuk 2:4.\f*  
\v 12 \w While|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w*, “\w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w man|strong="G4160"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G4160"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:12 \ft This is a quote from Leviticus 18:5.\f*   
\p
\v 13 \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w redeemed|strong="G1805"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w curse|strong="G2671"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, having \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w curse|strong="G2671"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w our|strong="G5547"\w* \w place|strong="G1096"\w*—\w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* stands \w written|strong="G1125"\w*, “\w Cursed|strong="G1944"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w hung|strong="G2910"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w tree|strong="G3586"\w*”\f + \fr 3:13 \ft This is a direct quote from Deuteronomy 21:23.\f*—  
\v 14 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* Abraham \w might|strong="G1484"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w*/\w Gentiles|strong="G1484"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*; \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2443"\w* \w might|strong="G1484"\w* \w receive|strong="G2983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.   
\s1 The covenant with Abraham  
\p
\v 15 Brothers: \w as|strong="G2596"\w* \w a|strong="G2228"\w* \w man|strong="G3762"\w* \w I|strong="G3004"\w* \w speak|strong="G3004"\w* \w a|strong="G2228"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w*; \w though|strong="G3676"\w* only \w of|strong="G2596"\w* \w a|strong="G2228"\w* \w man|strong="G3762"\w*, once \w it|strong="G3004"\w* \w has|strong="G3762"\w* been \w ratified|strong="G2964"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w one|strong="G3762"\w* annuls \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w adds|strong="G1928"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w it|strong="G3004"\w*.  
\v 16 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* Abraham \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w spoken|strong="G3004"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w*,\f + \fr 3:16 \ft Paul draws a contrast between a hypothetical covenant he might speak as a man, and the promises actually spoken to Abraham and his Seed.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1909"\w* \w Seed|strong="G4690"\w*. \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* “\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w seeds|strong="G4690"\w*,” \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w about|strong="G5613"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* “\w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*,” \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w about|strong="G5613"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 17 Further, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*: \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w covenant|strong="G1242"\w* confirmed beforehand \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* Christ\f + \fr 3:17 \ft Less than 3% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit “in Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). Without Christ, the Seed, there would have been no promise. The incarnation of Jehovah the Son was in the Plan before the creation of this world (1 Peter 1:19-20).\f* \w cannot|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* annulled \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w came|strong="G1096"\w* \w four|strong="G5071"\w* \w hundred|strong="G5071"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w thirty|strong="G5144"\w* \w years|strong="G2094"\w* \w later|strong="G3326"\w*,\f + \fr 3:17 \ft Abraham left Haran in 1921 \+sc bc\+sc*, when he was 75. The Exodus occurred in 1491 \+sc bc\+sc*. 1921 – 1491 = 430. For an explanation of these dates see the excellent discussion by Floyd Nolen Jones in his \+it Chronology of the Old Testament: A Return to the Basics\+it*, Kings Word Press, 1999 (14\+sup th\+sup* edition).\f* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w make|strong="G2673"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w effect|strong="G2673"\w*.  
\v 18 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w inheritance|strong="G2817"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w would|strong="G2316"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w granted|strong="G5483"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* Abraham \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.   
\s1 The law was a guardian  
\p
\v 19 \w Why|strong="G5101"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*? \w It|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w added|strong="G4369"\w* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w account|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w transgressions|strong="G3847"\w*, \w until|strong="G2064"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Seed|strong="G4690"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w* \w to|strong="G2064"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w inheritance|strong="G1722"\w* \w had|strong="G3739"\w* been \w promised|strong="G1861"\w*; \w and|strong="G2064"\w* \w it|strong="G3739"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w ordered|strong="G1299"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* angels \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hand|strong="G5495"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w mediator|strong="G3316"\w*.\f + \fr 3:19 \ft “By the hand of a mediator” would presumably refer to Moses, since he passed the Law on to the people, but the reference to “angels” puzzles me. The OT account has God dealing directly with Moses, or so it seems to me. Perhaps God used angels to communicate some of the lesser details, or to refresh Moses' memory.\f*  
\v 20 (\w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w mediator|strong="G3316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w for|strong="G1161"\w* \w just|strong="G3588"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w*.)\f + \fr 3:20 \ft I take this verse to be parenthetical because it does not seem to contribute to the argument. The word ‘mediator’ that ends verse 19 gives rise to the parenthetical comment, because Paul then used the definite article with the same word at the beginning of verse 20, which is why I render “that mediator”. Paul then states the obvious—for someone to be a mediator there must be at least two parties at odds—which he contrasts with something even more obvious—God is one. Perhaps the point is that which lies behind the question in verse 21: since God is the source of both Law and Promise, and He being one cannot be at odds with Himself, then Law and Promise cannot be at odds. Moses functioned as mediator between God and the people.\f*  
\v 21 \w Is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w promises|strong="G1860"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*? \w Of|strong="G1537"\w* course \w not|strong="G3361"\w*! Rather, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w had|strong="G2316"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* capable \w of|strong="G1537"\w* imparting \w life|strong="G2227"\w*, truly \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w would|strong="G1096"\w* \w have|strong="G1510"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.  
\v 22 \w But|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w imprisoned|strong="G4788"\w* \w everything|strong="G3956"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* sin,\f + \fr 3:22 \ft “Everything”, not ‘everyone’—that is what the Text says. Romans 8:19-22 spells it out—the consequences of Adam's fall extended to and included the creation. How could a perfect world be administered by a fallen man?\f* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G3956"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w might|strong="G1124"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w*.   
\p
\v 23 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w before|strong="G4253"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w came|strong="G2064"\w*, \w we|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w kept|strong="G5432"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w custody|strong="G5432"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w in|strong="G1519"\w* confinement \w until|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w coming|strong="G2064"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* revealed.  
\v 24 \w So|strong="G2443"\w* \w then|strong="G5620"\w*, \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w our|strong="G5547"\w* \w guardian|strong="G3807"\w* \w until|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w might|strong="G1096"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.  
\v 25 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w has|strong="G4102"\w* \w come|strong="G2064"\w*, \w we|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w guardian|strong="G3807"\w*.   
\p
\v 26 \w So|strong="G1223"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.  
\v 27 \w As|strong="G3745"\w* \w many|strong="G3745"\w* \w of|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G3745"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w were|strong="G3745"\w* baptized \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 3:27 \ft See 1 Corinthians 12:13.\f* \w have|strong="G3745"\w* \w clothed|strong="G1746"\w* yourselves \w with|strong="G1519"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*  
\v 28 —\w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w Jew|strong="G2453"\w* \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w Greek|strong="G1672"\w*, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w slave|strong="G1401"\w* \w nor|strong="G3761"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w*, \w there|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* ‘male \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w female|strong="G2338"\w*’;\f + \fr 3:28 \ft The Text does not have ‘neither male nor female’; the formula changes, as I have indicated. I suppose the reference is to Genesis 1:27, and the reason for the female in Genesis 2:18. All are saved on the same basis.\f* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*\f + \fr 3:28 \ft The reference is to the spiritual realm, not the physical—a Jew who believes into Jesus does not stop being a physical Jew, a slave who believes into Jesus does not automatically change social status, a male who believes into Jesus does not stop being a physical male, etc. But if we are all “clothed with Christ”, verse 27, we will all look alike, at least from a distance. People looking at us should think they are looking at Him.\f*—  
\v 29 \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s, \w then|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* Abraham's \w seed|strong="G4690"\w*\f + \fr 3:29 \ft Abraham's seed, not Jacob's.\f* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w heirs|strong="G2818"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.   
\c 4  
\s1 Sons or slaves  
\m
\v 1 \w To|strong="G1909"\w* proceed, \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w long|strong="G5550"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w heir|strong="G2818"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w child|strong="G3516"\w*, \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* \w different|strong="G1308"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w slave|strong="G1401"\w*, \w though|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w owner|strong="G2962"\w* \w of|strong="G2962"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w*,  
\v 2 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w guardians|strong="G2012"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w stewards|strong="G3623"\w* \w until|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* time \w appointed|strong="G4287"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w father|strong="G3962"\w*.  
\v 3 Similarly, \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w children|strong="G3516"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1398"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* basic \w principles|strong="G4747"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 4:3 \ft The only true freedom available in this life is to be a slave of Jesus Christ. In John 8:34 the Lord Jesus said, “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin”, and in verse 36, “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. Sin gives Satan an entrance, and he has various instruments for binding people (see verse 8 below).\f*  
\v 4 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w at|strong="G1537"\w* \w just|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* right \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w sent|strong="G1821"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w His|strong="G5259"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w born|strong="G1096"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* \w woman|strong="G1135"\w*, \w born|strong="G1096"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*,  
\v 5 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* might \w redeem|strong="G1805"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2443"\w* might receive \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w adoption|strong="G5206"\w* \w as|strong="G5206"\w* \w sons|strong="G5206"\w*.  
\v 6 \w And|strong="G1161"\w* \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*,\f + \fr 4:6 \ft If you have the Holy Spirit in your heart, it is because you have been adopted into God's family; you are a ‘son’.\f* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w sent|strong="G1821"\w* \w out|strong="G2896"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w Son|strong="G5207"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 4:6 \ft Perhaps 6% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘our’ instead of “your”, setting up a conflict with the verb “you are” at the beginning of the verse (as in NIV, NASB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*, calling, “Abba, \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*”.\f + \fr 4:6 \ft “Father” is a translation of “Abba”.\f*  
\v 7 \w Therefore|strong="G1223"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3765"\w* \w longer|strong="G3765"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w slave|strong="G1401"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*,\f + \fr 4:7 \ft Here Paul switches from plural to singular.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w heir|strong="G2818"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* Christ.\f + \fr 4:7 \ft Evidently 1½% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, read “through God” instead of “of God through Christ” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). Romans 8:17 says we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”.\f*   
\s1 Paul's concern  
\p
\v 8 \w But|strong="G3361"\w* \w at|strong="G3756"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w time|strong="G5119"\w* \w indeed|strong="G3303"\w*, \w when|strong="G1492"\w* \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w did|strong="G1492"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w you|strong="G1510"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1398"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G3361"\w* \w nature|strong="G5449"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w gods|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 4:8 \ft The reference is presumably to demons. Since the ‘world’ (verse 3) is controlled by Satan, his agents impose the ‘principles’.\f*  
\v 9 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w know|strong="G1097"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*—\w better|strong="G3123"\w*, \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w known|strong="G1097"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*—\w how|strong="G4459"\w* \w can|strong="G4459"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w turn|strong="G1994"\w* \w back|strong="G3825"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* weak, \w yes|strong="G1161"\w* decidedly inferior, basic \w principles|strong="G4747"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w enslaved|strong="G1398"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w* \w over|strong="G1909"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w*?  
\v 10 \w You|strong="G2532"\w* \w are|strong="G2532"\w* observing \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w months|strong="G3376"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w seasons|strong="G2540"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w years|strong="G1763"\w*.  
\v 11 \w I|strong="G2872"\w* \w fear|strong="G5399"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w lest|strong="G3361"\w* somehow \w I|strong="G2872"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w labored|strong="G2872"\w* \w over|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w vain|strong="G1500"\w*.   
\p
\v 12 Brothers, \w I|strong="G1473"\w* plead \w with|strong="G1096"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w*, \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w did|strong="G1096"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w no|strong="G3762"\w* wrong.  
\v 13 \w Rather|strong="G1161"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w know|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w preached|strong="G2097"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w first|strong="G4386"\w* \w time|strong="G4387"\w* \w in|strong="G1223"\w* spite \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* infirmity.\f + \fr 4:13 \ft It will be observed that I have rendered “in spite of” a physical infirmity, whereas most versions have “because of”, in accordance with the normal meaning of the grammatical construction here (δια with the accusative is the usual way to express cause). What troubles me is that the normal meaning does not make much sense here; how could an infirmity be the \+nd cause\+nd* of his preaching the Gospel to them? A counter-cause would make better sense, but I am not aware of any way to express it in Greek; the closest thing appears to be καιπερ ‘although’, that occurs all of five times in the NT In spoken English ‘raise’ and ‘raze’ are pronounced the same, but have opposite meanings, and this sort of thing is not rare in language. An ironic inflection reverses the meaning of what is said. I assume that something of the sort has occurred in this verse, and I have given the assumed intent.\f*  
\v 14 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w despise|strong="G1848"\w* \w or|strong="G2532"\w* recoil \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w trial|strong="G3986"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w received|strong="G1209"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* angel \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.  
\v 15 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w about|strong="G3588"\w* \w your|strong="G1487"\w* \w blessedness|strong="G3108"\w*? \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w can|strong="G1325"\w* \w testify|strong="G3140"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w possible|strong="G1415"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w would|strong="G1325"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w plucked|strong="G1846"\w* \w out|strong="G1063"\w* \w your|strong="G1487"\w* \w own|strong="G3788"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w and|strong="G3767"\w* \w given|strong="G1325"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w me|strong="G1325"\w*.  
\v 16 \w Have|strong="G1096"\w* \w I|strong="G1096"\w* \w now|strong="G1096"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w your|strong="G1096"\w* \w enemy|strong="G2190"\w* \w by|strong="G1096"\w* telling \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w the|strong="G1096"\w* truth?\f + \fr 4:16 \ft In this fallen world, telling the truth does have a habit of making enemies.\f*   
\p
\v 17 \w They|strong="G2443"\w* zealously court \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 4:17 \ft Paul contrasts himself with the proselytizers: he tells them the truth, even if unpleasant; they start by ‘buttering up’ their intended victims, but then move to create a dependency so they can control them.\f*—\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w for|strong="G2443"\w* \w good|strong="G2573"\w* \w but|strong="G1438"\w* \w intending|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* isolate \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w seek|strong="G2206"\w* \w them|strong="G1438"\w*.  
\v 18 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* zealous \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* \w thing|strong="G2570"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w any|strong="G3361"\w* \w time|strong="G1722"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w when|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w present|strong="G3918"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 \w My|strong="G1722"\w* little \w children|strong="G5043"\w*, \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* travail \w until|strong="G3360"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w is|strong="G3739"\w* \w formed|strong="G3445"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*  
\v 20 —\w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w could|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w present|strong="G3918"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* change \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w tone|strong="G5456"\w*; \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* perplexed \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*!   
\s1 ‘Hagar’ VS ‘Sarah’  
\p
\v 21 \w Tell|strong="G3004"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w you|strong="G3004"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w desire|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*, \w do|strong="G3004"\w* \w you|strong="G3004"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* heed \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*?  
\v 22 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* Abraham \w had|strong="G2192"\w* \w two|strong="G1417"\w* \w sons|strong="G5207"\w*: \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* slave \w woman|strong="G1658"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* \w woman|strong="G1658"\w*.  
\v 23 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* slave \w woman|strong="G1658"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w born|strong="G1080"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* \w woman|strong="G1658"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.\f + \fr 4:23 \ft For Sarah to conceive required a miracle.\f*  
\v 24 \w I|strong="G1063"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w now|strong="G1510"\w* allegorize \w them|strong="G3778"\w*—\w these|strong="G3778"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w two|strong="G1417"\w* \w covenants|strong="G1242"\w*: \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w from|strong="G3778"\w* \w Mount|strong="G3735"\w* \w Sinai|strong="G4614"\w*, \w bearing|strong="G1080"\w* \w children|strong="G1080"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1397"\w*, \w which|strong="G3748"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* ‘Hagar’  
\v 25 (\w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* ‘Hagar’ \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w Mount|strong="G3735"\w* \w Sinai|strong="G4614"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* Arabia\f + \fr 4:25 \ft I do not know Paul's definition of ‘Arabia’, but what the maps call ‘Mt. Sinai’ probably is not the real one; consider: When Moses fled from Pharaoh he stopped in Midian (Exodus 2:15). Midian lies on the east side of the eastern ‘rabbit-ear’ of the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba), in present day Saudi Arabia. It has never been part of the so-called ‘Sinai Peninsula’. It was at “Horeb, the mountain of God” that Moses saw the ‘burning bush’ (Exodus 3:1), and in verse 12 God tells Moses: “when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain”. Mt. Horeb has always been in Midian. For a complete discussion please see the Appendix: “Where is Mt. Sinai?”.\f* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w corresponds|strong="G4960"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w present|strong="G3568"\w* \w day|strong="G3588"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w*,\f + \fr 4:25 \ft The Jerusalem of Paul's day was in slavery to Rome.\f* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1398"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w her|strong="G3588"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*);  
\v 26 \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* ‘\w Jerusalem|strong="G2419"\w*’ \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* above \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w*, \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w mother|strong="G3384"\w* \w of|strong="G3384"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w all|strong="G3588"\w*.\f + \fr 4:26 \ft Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “all” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*  
\v 27 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*:  
\q1 “\w Rejoice|strong="G2165"\w*, \w barren|strong="G4723"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w does|strong="G2192"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w give|strong="G5088"\w* \w birth|strong="G5088"\w*;  
\q2 \w break|strong="G4486"\w* \w forth|strong="G5088"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* shout, \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w labor|strong="G5605"\w* pains;  
\q1 \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* abandoned \w woman|strong="G2192"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w many|strong="G4183"\w* \w more|strong="G3123"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w*  
\q2 \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w she|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* husband.”\f + \fr 4:27 \ft The quote is from Isaiah 54:1—in that chapter Jehovah is telling Israel, His abandoned ‘wife’, that He is going to take her back, restore her, and her future felicity will make her forget the pain of rejection. However, that restoration will presumably be based on the new covenant (Jeremiah 31), as is Christ's Gospel.\f*   
\m
\v 28 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G1161"\w*,\f + \fr 4:28 \ft Perhaps 8% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘you’ for “we” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* brothers, \w like|strong="G2596"\w* \w Isaac|strong="G2464"\w*, \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G5043"\w* \w promise|strong="G1860"\w*.  
\v 29 \w But|strong="G2532"\w*, \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G3779"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w as|strong="G5618"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*: \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w born|strong="G1080"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* persecutes \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w born|strong="G1080"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.  
\v 30 However, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w does|strong="G5101"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w*? “Expel \w the|strong="G2532"\w* slave \w woman|strong="G1658"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w her|strong="G3588"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*, \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* slave \w woman|strong="G1658"\w* absolutely \w must|strong="G1124"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w* \w of|strong="G5207"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* \w woman|strong="G1658"\w*!”\f + \fr 4:30 \ft The quote is from Genesis 21:10, where Sarah is demanding this of Abraham, but God backs her up (verse 12).\f*  
\v 31 \w So|strong="G1352"\w* \w then|strong="G1352"\w*, brothers, \w we|strong="G1352"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G5043"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* slave \w woman|strong="G1658"\w*, \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G5043"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* \w woman|strong="G1658"\w*.   
\c 5  
\ms1 Freedom in Christ  
\m
\v 1 \w Stand|strong="G4739"\w* \w firm|strong="G4739"\w* \w therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* \w made|strong="G1659"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w* \w free|strong="G1659"\w*,\f + \fr 5:1 \ft 6-7% of the Greek manuscripts replace this first half of the verse with, “for freedom Christ has made us free; stand firm therefore” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* burdened \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w yoke|strong="G2218"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w slavery|strong="G1397"\w*.  
\v 2 Listen! \w I|strong="G1473"\w*, \w Paul|strong="G3972"\w*, \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w to|strong="G3004"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* get \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w*, \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w will|strong="G1473"\w* \w profit|strong="G5623"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3762"\w*.  
\v 3 Further, \w I|strong="G1161"\w* \w testify|strong="G3143"\w* \w again|strong="G3825"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* gets \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w obligated|strong="G3781"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* \w keep|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w whole|strong="G3650"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 5:3 \ft In the context it is clear that Paul is not decrying physical circumcision, that has an important side benefit—women with circumcised husbands don't get cervical cancer. He is combating the idea of spiritual benefit from the practice, as claimed by the Judaizers, and in particular the ‘necessity’ that they claimed. The procedure is for eight-day-old babies, not adult men.\f*  
\v 4 \w You|strong="G1722"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w being|strong="G5547"\w* \w justified|strong="G1344"\w*’ \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w been|strong="G5547"\w* alienated \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*; \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w fallen|strong="G1601"\w* \w away|strong="G2673"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*.\f + \fr 5:4 \ft They have regressed from the covenant of grace to the covenant of law.\f*  
\v 5 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w* \w through|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* eagerly \w wait|strong="G4151"\w*\f + \fr 5:5 \ft “Eagerly wait for”—I love it! Those who are trying to be justified by works don't ‘eagerly wait’ for anything; the future accounting is a source of apprehension. On the other hand, we who understand that we are justified by faith in the Christ do indeed have a hope we can ‘eagerly wait’ for.\f* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.  
\v 6 \w Because|strong="G1223"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* uncircumcision avails \w anything|strong="G5100"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w working|strong="G1754"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* love.   
\p
\v 7 \w You|strong="G5210"\w* \w were|strong="G5101"\w* \w running|strong="G5143"\w* \w well|strong="G2573"\w*; \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w hindered|strong="G1465"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w from|strong="G3361"\w* \w obeying|strong="G3982"\w* \w the|strong="G3361"\w* truth?  
\v 8 \w This|strong="G3588"\w* \w persuasion|strong="G3988"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w calls|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.  
\v 9 \w A|strong="G3588"\w* \w little|strong="G3398"\w* \w yeast|strong="G2219"\w* \w leavens|strong="G2220"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w whole|strong="G3650"\w* batch \w of|strong="G3588"\w* dough.  
\v 10 \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* \w confidence|strong="G3982"\w* \w toward|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G1510"\w* \w think|strong="G5426"\w* differently; \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* troubles \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w will|strong="G1510"\w* bear \w the|strong="G1722"\w* penalty, \w whoever|strong="G3748"\w* \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G1473"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w*.   
\p
\v 11 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w*, brothers, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w preach|strong="G2784"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w*, \w why|strong="G5101"\w* \w am|strong="G1473"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w still|strong="G2089"\w* \w being|strong="G1161"\w* \w persecuted|strong="G1377"\w*? \w In|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* event \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w offense|strong="G4625"\w* \w of|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w cross|strong="G4716"\w* \w would|strong="G5101"\w* \w have|strong="G1473"\w* been \w removed|strong="G2673"\w*.  
\v 12 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w wish|strong="G3785"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* upsetting \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G2532"\w* remove themselves!\f + \fr 5:12 \ft It will be observed that my rendering of this verse differs significantly from that of the better known versions: they have Paul wishing that they would castrate themselves, or commit suicide! The verb is in the middle voice, hence reflexive; it means to ‘sever’ or ‘amputate’, but can also mean to ‘exclude’. I take it Paul is wishing that they would ‘amputate’ or exclude themselves from the situation—he wants them to go away and leave the Galatian believers in peace!\f*   
\p
\v 13 Now \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, brothers, \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w been|strong="G3361"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w*; \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w use|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w an|strong="G1519"\w* opening \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* slave \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* love.  
\v 14 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w whole|strong="G3956"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="G4137"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G1520"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w namely|strong="G5613"\w*: “\w You|strong="G4771"\w* \w shall|strong="G3956"\w* love \w your|strong="G3956"\w* \w neighbor|strong="G4139"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w*.”\f + \fr 5:14 \ft In the context Paul is referring to that part of the law that deals with interacting with other human beings (not the part that deals with interacting with God).\f*  
\v 15 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w bite|strong="G1143"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* tear \w at|strong="G1161"\w* each \w other|strong="G1161"\w*, beware \w lest|strong="G3361"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* consumed \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w one|strong="G3361"\w* \w another|strong="G1161"\w*!   
\s1 Spirit VS flesh  
\p
\v 16 \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w say|strong="G3004"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w*: \w walk|strong="G4043"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G3004"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \nd \+w not|strong="G3756"\+w*\nd* fulfill \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w lust|strong="G1939"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*.  
\v 17 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w desires|strong="G2309"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w contrary|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w what|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w contrary|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*; \w they|strong="G1161"\w* oppose \w each|strong="G2596"\w* \w other|strong="G1161"\w*; \w it|strong="G1161"\w* follows \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w wish|strong="G2309"\w*.  
\v 18 \w However|strong="G1161"\w*, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* led \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 5:18 \ft What the flesh wants is bad for you; what the Spirit wants is good for you. To be led by the Spirit is not to be under a set of rules; it is a relationship.\f*   
\p
\v 19 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w works|strong="G2041"\w* \w of|strong="G2041"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w obvious|strong="G5318"\w*, namely: adultery,\f + \fr 5:19 \ft Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “adultery” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). This statement holds also for “murders” in verse 21. This is one of several lists containing both ‘adultery’ and ‘fornication’, side by side, which indicates that they are distinct concepts.\f* \w fornication|strong="G4202"\w*, uncleanness,\f + \fr 5:19 \ft This appears to be a cover term for other misuses of sex; for instance, so-called ‘oral sex’ does not receive specific mention in Scripture, but would be included in ‘uncleanness’.\f* licentiousness,  
\v 20 \w idolatry|strong="G1495"\w*, \w sorcery|strong="G5331"\w*, \w hatred|strong="G2189"\w*, \w strife|strong="G2054"\w*, jealousies, fits \w of|strong="G2372"\w* \w anger|strong="G2372"\w*, \w selfish|strong="G2052"\w* \w ambition|strong="G2052"\w*, dissentions, factions,  
\v 21 \w envyings|strong="G5355"\w*, murders, drinking bouts, orgies, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w like|strong="G3664"\w*; \w about|strong="G3588"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* warning \w you|strong="G5210"\w* beforehand, \w as|strong="G2531"\w*, \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w fact|strong="G3754"\w*, \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G2532"\w* \w before|strong="G3588"\w*, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w practice|strong="G4238"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3778"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* Kingdom \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 5:21 \ft Here is a plain statement (see also 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and Rev. 21:8). Religious communities that condone or permit such practices are deceiving their constituents; at the Judgment they will get a very nasty surprise. The list refers to what we might call rather obvious forms of sin; there are also the more subtle forms.\f*   
\p
\v 22 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w fruit|strong="G2590"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* love, \w joy|strong="G5479"\w*, \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*, \w patience|strong="G3115"\w*, \w kindness|strong="G5544"\w*, \w goodness|strong="G5544"\w*, \w faithfulness|strong="G4102"\w*,  
\v 23 \w gentleness|strong="G4240"\w*, \w self-control|strong="G1466"\w*—\w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w such|strong="G5108"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w there|strong="G1510"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w no|strong="G3756"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w*.\f + \fr 5:23 \ft Paul was not referring to certain satanically inspired regimes, that may actually preach hate and violence.\f*  
\v 24 Further, \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4717"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w with|strong="G4862"\w* its \w passions|strong="G3804"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w desires|strong="G1939"\w*.\f + \fr 5:24 \ft Another strong statement: a dead desire does not ask to be gratified.\f*   
\p
\v 25 Since \w we|strong="G2532"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w us|strong="G4748"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* conform \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.\f + \fr 5:25 \ft I believe the idea here is similar to that in 5:18 above. Conforming to, or perhaps seeing eye to eye with, the Spirit represents a higher level of spiritual experience.\f*  
\v 26 \w Let|strong="G1096"\w* \w us|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* \w conceited|strong="G2755"\w*, \w provoking|strong="G4292"\w* \w one|strong="G3361"\w* another, \w envying|strong="G5354"\w* \w one|strong="G3361"\w* another.   
\c 6  
\ms1 Practical instructions  
\m
\v 1 Brothers, \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G5100"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w actually|strong="G2532"\w* \w caught|strong="G5108"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* wrongdoing,\f + \fr 6:1 \ft He is ruling out hearsay.\f* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w* \w ones|strong="G5100"\w*, \w should|strong="G5100"\w* \w restore|strong="G2675"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w gentleness|strong="G4240"\w*, watching \w out|strong="G2532"\w* \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w yourself|strong="G4572"\w* \w lest|strong="G3361"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w tempted|strong="G3985"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Bear|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*'s heavy burdens, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G3779"\w* fulfill \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 3 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w thinks|strong="G1380"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w* \w to|strong="G5100"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w something|strong="G5100"\w*, \w when|strong="G1510"\w* \w he|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w nothing|strong="G3367"\w*, \w he|strong="G1063"\w* \w deceives|strong="G5422"\w* \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w test|strong="G1381"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w work|strong="G2041"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w then|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* ‘\w boasting|strong="G2745"\w*’ \w only|strong="G3441"\w* within \w himself|strong="G1438"\w*, \w never|strong="G3756"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w someone|strong="G2087"\w* \w else|strong="G2087"\w*.\f + \fr 6:4 \ft Again, my rendering is unusual. My difficulty with the usual ‘in himself’ and ‘in another’ is that in both cases the preposition is ‘into’ (εις), not ‘in’ (εν). If someone forms an exaggerated notion about his work (verse 3) and then starts boasting out loud, he will look stupid.\f*  
\v 5 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w must|strong="G1538"\w* carry \w his|strong="G2398"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* normal \w load|strong="G5413"\w*.\f + \fr 6:5 \ft There is a contrast between “heavy burden” (verse 2) and “normal load” (verse 5). We should help each other with the really ‘heavy’ stuff.\f*   
\p
\v 6 \w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w taught|strong="G2727"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w share|strong="G2841"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w teaches|strong="G2727"\w*.\f + \fr 6:6 \ft Teachers are people; they too need food, clothes, shelter…\f*  
\v 7 \w Do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w deceived|strong="G4105"\w*, \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w does|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* allow Himself \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* treated \w with|strong="G2532"\w* contempt; \w because|strong="G1063"\w* \w whatever|strong="G3739"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w man|strong="G3778"\w* \w sows|strong="G4687"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w*  
\v 8 —\w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w sows|strong="G4687"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w his|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G1438"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w will|strong="G3748"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w* deterioration\f + \fr 6:8 \ft If the deterioration is never checked, guess what happens.\f* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*; \w he|strong="G1161"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w sows|strong="G4687"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w will|strong="G3748"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w* eternal \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w Let|strong="G1161"\w* \w us|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w lose|strong="G1590"\w* heart \w while|strong="G1161"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w will|strong="G4160"\w* \w reap|strong="G2325"\w* \w in|strong="G1161"\w* \w due|strong="G2398"\w* \w season|strong="G2540"\w*, \w if|strong="G1161"\w* \w we|strong="G1063"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w give|strong="G4160"\w* \w up|strong="G3361"\w*.\f + \fr 6:9 \ft So what happens if you give up?\f*  
\v 10 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w we|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* \w opportunity|strong="G2540"\w*, \w let|strong="G1161"\w* us \w do|strong="G2192"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w especially|strong="G3122"\w* \w toward|strong="G4314"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w household|strong="G3609"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*.   
\s1 Boast in the cross  
\p
\v 11 \w See|strong="G3708"\w* \w with|strong="G5495"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w large|strong="G4080"\w* \w letters|strong="G1121"\w* \w I|strong="G1125"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G3708"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w with|strong="G5495"\w* \w my|strong="G1699"\w* \w own|strong="G1699"\w* \w hand|strong="G5495"\w*.\f + \fr 6:11 \ft This verse, coupled with 4:15 above, gives credence to the idea that Paul's physical infirmity had to do with his eyes.\f*  
\v 12 \w Those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w make|strong="G2146"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w showing|strong="G2146"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* pressuring \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w*, \w but|strong="G3361"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* \w persecuted|strong="G1377"\w* \w for|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w cross|strong="G4716"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.  
\v 13 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w not|strong="G3761"\w* \w even|strong="G3761"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w* \w keep|strong="G5442"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w law|strong="G3551"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1722"\w*, \w yet|strong="G1063"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w want|strong="G2309"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G2443"\w* \w circumcised|strong="G4059"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G5212"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*.\f + \fr 6:13 \ft Again Paul makes clear that he is referring to the religious exercise when practiced on adults, not the physical fact (that is properly practiced on eight-day-old babies).\f*  
\v 14 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w may|strong="G5547"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w never|strong="G3361"\w* \w boast|strong="G2744"\w* \w except|strong="G1487"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w cross|strong="G4716"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w* \w has|strong="G2962"\w* \w been|strong="G1096"\w* \w crucified|strong="G4717"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w*, \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.  
\v 15 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w in|strong="G1063"\w* Christ \w Jesus|strong="G1510"\w*\f + \fr 6:15 \ft Some 3% of the Greek manuscripts omit “because in Christ Jesus” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w neither|strong="G3777"\w* \w circumcision|strong="G4061"\w* \w nor|strong="G3777"\w* uncircumcision avails \w anything|strong="G5100"\w*, \w but|strong="G1063"\w* \w a|strong="G1510"\w* \w new|strong="G2537"\w* \w creation|strong="G2937"\w*.\f + \fr 6:15 \ft If you are not a new creation, you are not saved.\f*  
\v 16 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G3745"\w* \w for|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* conform \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w rule|strong="G2583"\w*, \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Israel|strong="G2474"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.\f + \fr 6:16 \ft According to Greek grammar, the repetition of the preposition ‘upon’ in two phrases joined by ‘and’ makes clear that the objects of the prepositions refer to distinct entities. Hence, “the Israel of God” cannot be a reference to the Church, assuming that “those who conform to this rule” refers to those who are “in Christ Jesus”. I take “the Israel of God” to refer to sincere, devout Israelites.\f*   
\p
\v 17 \w Finally|strong="G3064"\w*, \w let|strong="G3930"\w* \w no|strong="G3367"\w* \w one|strong="G3367"\w* \w cause|strong="G3930"\w* \w me|strong="G1473"\w* \w trouble|strong="G2873"\w*, \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* bear \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w body|strong="G4983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* brand \w marks|strong="G4742"\w* \w of|strong="G4983"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G3588"\w*\f + \fr 6:17 \ft Perhaps 1% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit “Lord” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). I would say that the eclectic Greek text that these modern versions generally follow is mistaken at over eighty (80) points in Galatians, of which I mentioned only twelve (mainly the more serious ones).\f* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w*.\f + \fr 6:17 \ft This is an interesting claim. I suppose him to be saying that he deserves respectful treatment because of what he has suffered for Christ's cause.\f*   
\s1 Sign-off  
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\v 18 \w The|strong="G3588"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w our|strong="G2424"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w be|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, brothers. Amen.