Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Paul Defends His Gospel at Jerusalem

¹ Then after 14 years I went up again^(a) to Jerusalem with Barnabas,^(b) taking Titus^(c) along also. ² I went up according to a revelation^(d) and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles—but privately to those recognized as leaders—so that I might not be running, or have run the race, in vain. ³ But not even Titus who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. ⁴ This issue arose because of false brothers^(e) smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. ⁵ But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth^(f) of the gospel would be preserved for you.

⁶ Now from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism^[a](g))—they added nothing to me. ⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised,^(h) just as Peter⁽ⁱ⁾ was for the circumcised, ⁸ since the One at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. ⁹ When James,^(j) Cephas,^(k) and John,^(l) recognized as pillars,^(m) acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ They asked only that we would remember the poor,⁽ⁿ⁾ which I made every effort to do.

Freedom from the Law

¹¹ But when Cephas^[b] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.^{[c] 12} For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. ¹³ Then the rest of the Jews^(o) joined his hypocrisy,^(p) so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas^[d] in front of everyone, "If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile^(q) and not like a Jew,^(r) how can you compel Gentiles to live^(s) like Jews?"^[e]

¹⁵ We who are Jews by birth and not "Gentile sinners" ¹⁶ know that no one is justified by the works of the law^(t) but by faith in Jesus Christ.^[f] And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ^[g] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will^[h] be justified. ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be "sinners" while seeking to be justified by Christ,^(u) is Christ then a promoter^[i](v) of sin? Absolutely not!^{(w) 18} If I rebuild^(x) the system^[j] I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.^{(y) 19} For through the law I have died to the law,^(z) so that I might live for God.^(aa) I have been crucified with Christ^{[k] 20} and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(ab) The life I now live in the body,^[l] I live by faith in the Son of God,^(ac) who loved^(ad) me^(ae) and gave Himself^(af) for me.^{(ag) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,^(ah) then Christ died^(ai) for nothing.

Chapter 3

Justification through Faith

¹ You foolish^(a) Galatians! Who has hypnotized you,^[a] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed^[b] as crucified?^{(b) 2} I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?^{[c] 3} Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh?^{[d] 4} Did you suffer^(c) so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? ⁵ So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles^(d) among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?^[e]

⁶ Just as Abraham believed God, ^(e) and it was credited to him for righteousness, ^{(f)[f] 7} then understand that those who have faith are Abraham's sons.^{(g) 8} Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham,^(h) saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. ^{(i)[g] 9} So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham,^(j) who had faith.^[h]

Law and Promise

¹⁰ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse,^(k) because it is written:^(l) Everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law is cursed. ^{(m)[i] 11} Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live ⁽ⁿ⁾ by faith. ^{(o)[j] 12} But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. ^{(p)[k] 13} Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us,^(q) because it is written: Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed. ^{(r)[l] 14} The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.^(s)

¹⁵ Brothers, I'm using a human illustration.^[m] No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant^[n] that has been ratified. ¹⁶ Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say "and to seeds," as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, ^(t)[o] who is Christ. ¹⁷ And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later,^(u) does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God^[p] and cancel the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.

The Purpose of the Law

¹⁹ Why then was the law given?^(v) It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise was made would come. The law was put into effect through angels^(w) by means of a mediator.^{(x) 20} Now a mediator is not for just one person, but God is one.^{(y) 21} Is the law therefore contrary to God's promises? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly be by the law. ²² But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin's power,^[q](z) so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ^(aa) might be given to those who believe.^{(ab) 23} Before this faith^(ac) came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed.^{(ad) 24} The law, then, was our guardian^[r] until Christ,^(ae) so that we could be justified by faith. ²⁵ But since that faith^(af) has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Sons and Heirs

²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ like a garment.^{(ag) 28} There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free,^(ah) male or female;^(ai) for you are all one^(aj) in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs^(ak) according to the promise.^(al)

Chapter 4

^1 1 Now I say that as long as the heir^(a) is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner^(b) of everything. ² Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. ³ In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces^[a] of the world.^{(c) 4} When the time came to completion, God sent His Son,^(d) born of a woman,^(e) born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.^{(f) 6} And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son^(g) into our^[b] hearts, crying, "Abba,^(h) Father!"^{(i) 7} So you are no longer a slave^(j) but a son,^(k) and if a son, then an heir^(l) through God.

Paul's Concern for the Galatians

⁸ But in the past, when you didn't know God,^(m) you were enslaved to things^[c] that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now, since you know God,⁽ⁿ⁾ or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and bankrupt^(o) elemental forces?^(p) Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? ¹⁰ You observe special days, months, seasons, and years.^{(q) 11} I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.