Galatians 4-6

New International Version

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(A) under the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of the world.^{(B) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(C) God sent his Son,^(D) born of a woman,^(E) born under the law,^{(F) 5} to redeem^(G) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(H) to sonship.^{[b](I) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(J) into our hearts,^(K) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father.”^{(L) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(M)

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God,^(N) you were slaves^(O) to those who by nature are not gods.^{(P) 9} But now that you know God—or rather are known by God^(Q)—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces^[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved^(R) by them all over again?^{(S) 10} You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!^{(T) 11} I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.^(U)

¹² I plead with you, brothers and sisters,^(V) become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. ¹³ As you know, it was because of an illness^(W) that I first preached the gospel to you, ¹⁴ and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.^{(X) 15} Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(Y)

¹⁷ Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.^{(Z) 18} It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you.^{(AA) 19} My dear children,^(AB) for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,^{(AC) 20} how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law,^(AD) are you not aware of what the law says? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman^(AE) and the other by the free woman.^{(AF) 23} His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,^(AG) but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.^(AH)

²⁴ These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above^(AI) is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:

²⁸ Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.^{(AK) 29} At that time the son born according to the flesh^(AL) persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.^(AM) It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^{[f](AN) 31} Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman,^(AO) but of the free woman.^(AP)

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(AQ) Stand firm,^(AR) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(AS)

² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised,^(AT) Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.^{(AU) 4} You who are trying to be justified by the law^(AV) have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^{(AW) 5} For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.^{(AX) 6} For in Christ Jesus^(AY) neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.^(AZ) The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.^(BA)

⁷ You were running a good race.^(BB) Who cut in on you^(BC) to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(BD) 9} “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”^{(BE) 10} I am confident^(BF) in the Lord that you will take no other view.^(BG) The one who is throwing you into confusion,^(BH) whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(BI) In that case the offense^(BJ) of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators,^(BK) I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.^(BL) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[g];^(BM) rather, serve one another^(BN) humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[h](BO) 15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit,^(BP) and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.^{(BQ) 17} For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.^(BR) They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[i] you want.^{(BS) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit,^(BT) you are not under the law.^(BU)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,^(BV) impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.^(BW) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(BX)

²² But the fruit^(BY) of the Spirit is love,^(BZ) joy, peace,^(CA) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.^(CB) Against such things there is no law.^{(CC) 24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh^(CD) with its passions and desires.^{(CE) 25} Since we live by the Spirit,^(CF) let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited,^(CG) provoking and envying each other.

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit^(CH) should restore^(CI) that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(CJ) 3} If anyone thinks they are something^(CK) when they are not, they deceive themselves.^{(CL) 4} Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,^(CM) without comparing themselves to someone else,^{(CN) 5} for each one should carry their own load.^{(CO) 6} Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(CP)

⁷ Do not be deceived:^(CQ) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.^{(CR) 8} Whoever sows to please their flesh,^(CS) from the flesh will reap destruction;^(CT) whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.^{(CU) 9} Let us not become weary in doing good,^(CV) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^{(CW) 10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good^(CX) to all people, especially to those who belong to the family^(CY) of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!^(CZ)

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh^(DA) are trying to compel you to be circumcised.^(DB) The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted^(DC) for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,^(DD) yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh.^{(DE) 14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(DF) through which^[j] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^{(DG) 15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;^(DH) what counts is the new creation.^{(DI) 16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[k] the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks^(DJ) of Jesus.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ^(DK) be with your spirit,^(DL) brothers and sisters. Amen.