Shared Word Translation
Galatians 3
Faith or Works of the Law
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you only this: did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being completed by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Then does the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
The Example of Abraham
Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, know then that those of faith—these are sons of Abraham.
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the one who believed.
The Law and the Promise
For all who are of works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law, to do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “the righteous one shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith; rather, “the one who does them shall live by them.”
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Priority of the Promise
Brothers and sisters, I speak according to human terms: even a human covenant, once ratified, no one sets aside or adds to it. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from promise; but God has given it to Abraham through a promise.
The Purpose of the Law
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not for one alone, but God is one.
Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would indeed be from the law. But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Children of God Through Faith
But before faith came, we were held in custody under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was to be revealed. So then, the law has become our guardian until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, there is no slave or free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.