Study Desk

Paul, an apostle^(a)—sent not from men nor by a man,^(b) but by Jesus Christ^(c) and God the Father,^(d) who raised him from the dead^(e)—

and all the brothers and sisters^[a] with me,^(f) To the churches in Galatia:^(g)

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,^(h)

who gave himself for our sins⁽ⁱ⁾ to rescue us from the present evil age,^(j) according to the will of our God and Father,^(k)

to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(l)

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called^(m) you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel⁽ⁿ⁾—

which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion^(o) and are trying to pervert^(p) the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,^(q) let them be under God's curse!^(r)

As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,^(s) let them be under God's curse!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?^(t) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^(u) that the gospel I preached^(v) is not of human origin.

I did not receive it from any man,^(w) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation^(x) from Jesus Christ.^(y)

For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,^(z) how intensely I persecuted the church of God^(aa) and tried to destroy it.^(ab)

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous^(ac) for the traditions of my fathers.^(ad)

But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb^(ae) and called me^(af) by his grace, was pleased

to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,^(ag) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.^(ah)

I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.^(ai)

Then after three years,^(aj) I went up to Jerusalem^(ak) to get acquainted with Cephas^[b] and stayed with him fifteen days.

I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(al) the Lord's brother.

I assure you before God^(am) that what I am writing you is no lie.^(an)

Then I went to Syria^(ao) and Cilicia.^(ap)

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea^(aq) that are in Christ.^(ar)

They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith^(as) he once tried to destroy."^(at)

And they praised God^(au) because of me.