8For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Confronts Cephas

11When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.14When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

15We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners”16know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.17But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!18If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.21I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.

Faith and Belief

1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?6So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Purpose of the Law

15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons through Faith in Christ

26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Sons and Heirs

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything.2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.