Galatians 3

Justified by the Law, or Justified by Faith?

1 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as having been crucified?2 I want only to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now trying to be made complete by the flesh?4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing—if indeed also it was for nothing?

5 Therefore does the one who gives you the Spirit and who works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness,7 then understand that the ones who have faitht, these are sons of Abraham.8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news in advance to Abraham: “In you all the nationst will be blessed.”t9 So then, the ones who have faith are blessed together with Abraham who believed.10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them.”t11 Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”t

12 But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”t
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”t

14 in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Promise to Abraham and His Descendant

15 Brothers, I am speaking according to a human perspective. Nevertheless, when the covenant of a man has been ratified, no one declares it invalid or adds additional provisions to it.16 Now to Abraham and to his descendant the promises were spoken. It does not say, “and to descendants,” as concerning many, but as concerning one, “and to your descendant,”t who is Christ.17 Now I am saying this: the law, that came after four hundred and thirty years, does not revoke a covenant previously ratified by God, in order to nullify the promise.

18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.

The Addition of the Law

19 Why then the law? It was added on account of transgressions, until the descendant should come to whom it had been promised, having been ordered through angels by the hand of a mediator.

20 Now the mediator is not for one, but God is one.
21 Therefore is the law opposed to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, certainly righteousness would have been from the law.

22 But the scripture imprisoned all under sin, in order that the promise could be given by faitht in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were detained under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.24 So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith.25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,t27 for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3

1 O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?2 This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?4 Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.5 He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.7 Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.9 So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;12 and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.22 But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.23 But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25 But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor.26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.29 And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.