THE
LETTER
OF
PAUL, THE DELEGATE,
TO THE
GALATIANS.
[WRITTEN FROM CORINTH OR EPHESUS, A. D. 53.]
I.—PAUL (Latin:Paulos; little), a Delegate, not from men, neither sent by man; but by Yeshua The Anointed, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead; and all the brethren who are with me, to the congregations of Galatia: Favor to you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6.—I marvel that you are so soon removed from him, who called you into the favor of The Anointed, to another Good News; which is not another: but there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert The Good News of The Anointed. But if even we, or a messenger from heaven, declares a Good News to you, different from what we have declared to you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so now I say again, if any one declares a Good News to you, different from what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now seek to win the favor of men, or of God? or do I seek to please men? For if I please men, I would not be the slave of The Anointed. Now I make known you, brethren, concerning The Good News which was declared by me, that it is not according to men. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation (Gk:apokalupsis; uncovering) by Yeshua The Anointed.
13 You have certainly heard of my behavior formerly in Judaism; that I persecuted the church of God beyond measure, and laid it waste; and advanced in Judaism, above many of the same age as myself in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his favor, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, that I might declare the good news concerning him to the Gentiles; immediately I did not consult flesh and blood: neither did I go up to Yerushalem, to those who were Delegates before me; but I went away into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. Then, after three years, I went up to Yerushalem to become acquainted with Peter (Gk:Petros a piece of rock), and stayed with him for fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the Delegates, except Yaakob, the Lord’s brother.
20 Now as to the things which I write to you, behold, God is my witness that I do not lie. After that I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; and was personally unknown to the congregations of Yehuda which are in The Anointed. They had only heard that–He, who formerly persecuted us, now preaches the faith which he formerly tried to destroy. And they glorified God on my account.
Chapter 2
II.–Then, fourteen years later, I went up again to Yerushalem, with Barnabas; taking Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation (Gk: apokalupsis; uncovering),, and communicated to them The Good News, which I proclaimed to the Gentiles; but I did so privately to those who were of reputation; in fear, perhaps, I should run, or had run for nothing. However, neither Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But this matter arose on account of the false brethren secretly introduced; (who came in secretly to spy out our liberty, which we have by Yeshua The Anointed, that they might bring us into bondage;) nor did we give place to them by submission, not even for an hour, that the truth of The Good News might remain with you. Besides, from those who seemed to be something, I received nothing: (whatever they were formerly, is no matter to me: God does not judge by appearance. For those who were of extraordinary reputation, contributed nothing to me.) But, on the contrary, perceiving that I was entrusted with The Good News to the uncircumcision, just as Peter was to the circumcision; (for he who worked effectually in Peter as the Delegate to the circumcision, also worked effectually in me for the Gentiles:) even, Yaakob, and Cephas, and Yohanan, who seemed to be supporting pillars of the church, having perceived the favor granted to me, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we, should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; requesting only, that we would remember the poor, which very thing I had also been diligent to do.
11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him face to face, because he was to be blamed. For before certain persons came from Yaakob, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they arrived, he withdrew, and separated himself, being afraid of those of the circumcision. And the other Jews also joined with them, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their stage acting. But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly, according to the truth of The Good News, I said to Peter, before them all,–if you, being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not after the manner of the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to Judaize? (adopt Jewish customs)
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners from among the Gentiles, know that a man is not justified by works of law, but only through faith in Yeshua The Anointed; and even we have believed in Yeshua The Anointed, that we may be justified by faith in The Anointed, and not by works of law; for by works of law, no flesh shall be justified.
17 But if while seeking to be justified by The Anointed, we ourselves also have been found to be sinners, is The Anointed then the servant of sin? May it never be. For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I build myself into a transgressor. Besides, I through law have died to law, that I might live to God. I am crucified together with The Anointed. Nevertheless I no longer live; but The Anointed lives in me: for the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the favor of God. For if righteousness is through law, then certainly The Anointed has died for nothing.
Chapter 3
III.–O unwise Galatians! who has bewitched you? Before whose eyes was Yeshua The Anointed openly portrayed as crucified ? This only I wish to learn from you, did you receive the Spirit by works of law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish, that having begun in Spirit, you are now ending in flesh? Have you suffered so many things for nothing? If it really was for nothing?
5.–He, then, who fully supplied to you the Spirit, and worked miracles among you, did he do these by works of law, or by the hearing of faith?; even as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness know therefore, that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. For the Scripture foreshowing that God would justify the nations by faith, formerly announced The Good News to Abraham, saying, “Certainly in you shall all the nations will be blessed:” Therefore, those who are of faith, are blessed with the believing Abraham.
10 For as many as there are who toil under law, are under a curse: for it is written, “Accursed is every one, who does not continue to do all the things, which are written in the book of the law.” Besides that it is made clear that by law no one is justified before God: “For the just by faith shall live.” Now the law is not of faith; but he who does these things, shall live by them. The Anointed has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: (for it is written, “Accursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree:”) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the nations through The Anointed Yeshua; and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: no one sets aside or alters a man’s covenant, after it is ratified. Now, to Abraham the promises were spoken, and to his seed. He does not say, “And in seeds,” as concerning many; but as concerning one person, “And in your seed,” who is The Anointed.
What I am saying is this: the covenant which was ratified by God made four hundred and thirty years later, which was the law, cannot annul the promise.18.–Besides, if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise but God bestowed it freely on Abraham by promise.
19.—Why then the law? It was added on account of transgression, until the seed should come to whom it was promised; being appointed by messengers, in the hand of a Mediator. The Mediator is not a mediator for one; whereas God is only one .–Is the law, then, contrary to the promises of God?–May it never be. For if there had been a law given, which was able to give life, certainly righteousness would have been by law. But the Scripture has shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith of Yeshua The Anointed, might be given to those that believe.
23 Therefore, before faith came, we were in custody under law, shut up together to the faith, which should afterwards be revealed. So the law has been our child-conductor (Gk paidagogos a boy-leader, . a servant whose office it was to take the children to school) to The Anointed, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under this child-conductor. For you are all the sons of God through the faith by The Anointed Yeshua. Besides, as many of you as have been immersed into The Anointed have put on The Anointed. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in The Anointed Yeshua. And if you are The Anointed’s, certainly you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Chapter 4
IV.–Now, I say as long as the heir is a minor, he does not differ from a slave, though he is lord of all. For he is under guardians and managers, until the time appointed by his father. So also, we while we were minors, were in bondage under the rudimentary elements of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through The Anointed.
8 But formerly, when you did not know God, you served as slaves to those who by nature, are not gods. But now, having acknowledged God, (or rather, being acknowledged by God,) why do you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which again you desire to be in bondage? You carefully observe days, and moons, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, in fear that perhaps, I have labored for nothing among you.
12 Brethren, be as I am: for I am as you are. You have not injured me. You know that it was in weakness of the flesh, that I first declared The Good News to you. Yet in that trial of mine, which was in my flesh, you did not despise; neither did you reject (lit:spit out) me, but received me as a messenger of God, even as The Anointed Yeshua.
15 Where then is your declaration of happiness! For I bear you witness, that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. So have I then, become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zealously seek you, but not honorably. Yes, they wish to shut you out from us, that you would zealously seek the them. But it is good always to burn with zeal in right things, and not merely when I am present with you.
19 My little children, for whom I again have birth pains until The Anointed be formed in you; I wish to be present with you now, and to change my speech; for I have great doubt concerning you.
21 Tell me, you who wish to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons: one by the slave girl, and one by the free woman. But he who was of the slave girl, has been born according to the flesh; but he who was born of the free woman, was through the promise.
These things are allegorized: for these women are two covenants; the one, from Mount Sinai, bringing forth children into slavery; which is Hagar, (for the name Hagar, denotes Mount Sinai in Arabia,) and she corresponds to the present Yerushalem, and is in slavery with her children. But the Yerushalem above is the free woman, who is our mother.
For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren woman, who did not bring forth! Break out and cry, you who are not in labor pains; for more are the children of the desolate, than of her who had the husband.”
28 We, therefore, brethren, like Yitschaq , are children by promise. But even as then, he who was born according to the flesh, persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit: so also now. But what says the Scripture? “Cast out the slave girl and her son; for the son of the slave girl shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31.–Well, then, brethren, we are not the children of the slave girl, but of the free woman.
Chapter 5
V. Stand fast in the freedom with which The Anointed has freed us, and do not again be held fast in the yoke of slavery. Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if you are circumcised, The Anointed will have no benefit to you. And I testify, moreover, to every circumcised person, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 You are nullified (Gk:katargeo entirely idle, useless) from The Anointed, who seek to be justified by the law; you have fallen from favor. But we, through the Spirit, look for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in The Anointed Yeshua neither circumcision means anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith, which works by love (agape).
7 You did run well: who has hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from him who called you. A little leaven leavens the whole dough. I have confidence toward you by the Lord, that you will think nothing differently from me: but he who troubles you shall bear the punishment, whoever he is. But I brethren, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Certainly the offense of the cross is abolished. I wish that those who trouble you were amputated. (or emasculated)
13 For you, brethren, have been called into liberty; only do not use this liberty for an occasion for the flesh; but through love (agape), serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled by even by this, “You shall love (agape) your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care for fear you be consumed by one another.
16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you may not do the things that you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Now, the works of the flesh are evident, which are these:–Fornication, impurity, filthiness, idolatry, enchantments (GK:pharmakeia, medication, magic), hatred, contention, jealousies, wraths, strife, division, sects (Gk:hairesis a choice, a sect), envy, drunkenness, carousing, and such; concerning which, I foretell you now, just as I also have foretold, that those who practice these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love (agape), joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, self-control: against such things there is no law. Besides, those who are The Anointed’s, have crucified the flesh, with the passions and lusts. Since we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not be boastful, provoking one another, and envying one another.
Chapter 6
VI.– Brethren, if a person is over taken into any fault, you, the spiritual men, set such a one right again in the spirit of humility; taking a view of yourself, for fear even you are tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of The Anointed. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let everyone examine his own work, and then he shall have reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden.
6 Now let him, who is instructed in the word, share all good things with the instructor. Do not deceive yourselves; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that also he shall reap. Therefore, he who sows to his flesh, shall from the flesh reap corruption: but he who sows to the Spirit, shall from the Spirit reap life everlasting. Therefore, let us not lose heart in doing good; for in the proper season we shall reap, if we do not get weary. So, then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all; but especially to those, who are of the household of faith.
11 You see with such large letters, I have written to you with my own hand. As many as wish to please with a display in the flesh, try to compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of The Anointed. For not even do the circumcised themselves keep the law; but they wish you to be circumcised, that they may boast in your flesh.
14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed, by which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Yeshua The Anointed, neither circumcision means anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Now as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Ysrael of God.
17 From now on let no one give me trouble, for I bear the brand-marks (Gk:stigma to “stick”; a mark of ownership) of the Lord Yeshua in my body. The favor of our Lord Yeshua The Anointed be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. (truth)