Study Desk

^(C1)Why the Law then? It was added on account of the ^(F1)violations, having been ^(C2)ordered through angels ^(C3)at the hand of a ^(F2)mediator, until ^(C4)the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

Now ^(C1)a mediator is not ^(F1)for one party only; but God is only one.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? ^(F1)(C1)Far from it! For ^(C2)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness ^(F2)would indeed have been ^(F3)based on law.

But the Scripture has ^(C1)confined ^(F1)everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

But before faith came, ^(F1)we were kept in custody under the Law, ^(C1)being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed.

Therefore the Law has become our ^(F1)(C1)guardian to lead us to Christ, so that ^(C2)we may be justified by faith.

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a ^(F1)(C1)guardian.

For you are all ^(C1)sons and daughters of God through faith in ^(C2)Christ Jesus.

For all of you who were ^(C1)baptized into Christ have ^(C2)clothed yourselves with Christ.

^(C1)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is ^(F1)neither male nor female; for ^(C2)you are all one in ^(C3)Christ Jesus.

And if ^(C1)you ^(F1)belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's ^(F2)descendants, heirs according to ^(C2)promise.

Now I say, as long as the heir is a ^(F1)child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is ^(F2)owner of everything,

but he is under guardians and ^(F1)managers until the ^(F2)date set by the father.

So we too, when we were children, were held ^(C1)in bondage under the ^(F1)(C2)elementary principles of the world.

But when ^(C1)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, ^(C2)born of a woman, born ^(C3)under ^(F1)the Law,

so that He might redeem those who were under ^(F1)the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ^(C1)sons and daughters.

Because you are sons, ^(C1)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "^(C2)Abba! ^(F1)Father!"

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and ^(C1)if a son, then an heir ^(F1)through God.

However at that time, ^(C1)when you did not know God, you were ^(C2)slaves to ^(C3)those which by nature are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be ^(C1)known by God, ^(C2)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^(F1)(C3)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

You ^(C1)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^(F1)over you in vain.

I beg of you, ^(C1)brothers and sisters, ^(C2)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

but you know that it was because of a ^(F1)bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the ^(F2)first time;

and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my ^(F1)bodily condition, nor express contempt, but ^(C1)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Where then is ^(F1)that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

So have I become your enemy ^(C1)by ^(F1)telling you the truth?

They eagerly seek you, not ^(F1)in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.

But it is good always to be eagerly sought ^(F1)in a commendable way, and ^(C1)not only when I am present with you.

^(C1)My children, with whom ^(C2)I am again in labor until ^(C3)Christ is formed in you—

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for ^(C1)I am at a loss about you!