1 O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched {ebaskanen: cast a spell} you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Crucified Savior} was publicly portrayed as crucified?
2 This only I wish to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit {pneuma, Divine Indwelling Gift} by works of the law {ergon nomou: covenantal rule-keeping}, or by hearing of faith?
3 Are you thus foolish? Having begun by the Spirit {pneuma: divine empowering presence}, are you now being perfected by the flesh {sarx: self-reliant striving}?
4 Did you suffer {epathete: undergo painful trials} so many things {tosauta: numerous hardships} in vain, if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore, does the One who supplies the Spirit {pneuma: divine life-giver} to you and works miracles {dynameis: visible wonders} among you do so from works of law, or from hearing of faith?
6 Just as Abraham believed God {Theos, Righteousness Granting Judge}, and it was credited to him for righteousness {dikaiosyne: legal acquittal}.
7 Know then that those {houtoi: these particular ones} who are of faith {pisteos: covenant trust}, these are sons of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God {Theos, Justifier of Nations} would justify the nations by faith {pistis: steadfast trust}, preached the good news beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”
9 So then, those who are from faith {pistis: trusting reliance} are blessed with Abraham, the faithful one {pistos: steadfast believer}.
10 For as many as are of works of law are under a curse; for it has been written that, “Accursed {epikataratos: declared under divine judgment} is everyone who does not remain in all the things written in the book of the law {nomos: covenant command system} to do them.”
11 But that by the law {nomos: covenant command system} no one is justified before God {Theos, Righteous Judge} is evident, because “The righteous will live by faith.”
12 But the law {nomos: covenant command system} is not from faith {pistis: trusting reliance}; rather, “The one who does them will live in them.”
13 Christ {Khristos, Messianic Redeemer} redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, because it is written, “Accursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” {xylon: wooden structure}.
14 In order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Channel of Blessing}, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit {pneuma, Promised Presence} through faith.
15 Brothers {adelphoi: fellow believers}, I speak according to human terms; even when a man’s covenant {diatheken: binding agreement} has been confirmed, no one annuls it or adds to it.
16 Now the promises {epangeliai: covenant assurances} were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but as to one: “And to your seed,” who is Christ {Christos: Anointed One}.
17 Now this I say: The law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God {Theos, Divine Guarantor}, so as to nullify the promise {epangelia: binding assurance}.
18 For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but to Abraham God {Theos, Gracious Bestower} has graciously given it through a promise {epangelia: solemn assurance}.
19 Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the Seed {sperma: promised descendant} should come to whom the promise has been made, having been ordained through angels {angelon: heavenly messengers} by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not of one, but God {Theos, Perfectly One} is one {heis: absolute singularity}.
21 Therefore, is the law against the promises of God {Theos, Covenant Promise Giver}? May it never be! For if a law had been given that could make alive {zoopoiesai: impart true life}, then truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture {graphe: sacred writing} has locked up everything under sin, so that the promise out of faith in Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Faithful Mediator} might be given to those who believe.
23 But before the faith came, we were guarded under the Law {nomos: Torah regulations}, being confined for the faith that was to be revealed {apokalyphthenai: made fully known}.
24 Therefore, the law has become our tutor {paidagogos: guardian guiding minors} leading to Christ {Christos, Goal of Righteousness}, so that we might be justified by faith.
25 But now that faith {pistis: trusting reliance} has come, we are no longer under a guardian {paidagogos: supervisory guide}.
26 For you all are sons of God {Theos, Adopting Father} by faith in Christ Jesus {Christos Iesous, Saving Messiah}.
27 For as many of you as were baptized {ebaptisthete: initiation rite} into Christ {Khristos, Union Messiah} have put on Christ.
28 There is no distinction between Jew{Ioudaios: covenant Israelite} and Greek, slave and free, or male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus{Christos Iesous, Unifying Messiah}.
29 And if you are Christ’s {Christos, Covenant Mediator}, then you are Abraham’s seed {sperma: spiritual descendants}, heirs in line with the promise.