The New Testament Part 29

2 [1:3]We ought to thank G.o.d always for you, brothers, as is fit, because your faith increases greatly, and the love of every one of you all one for another abounds, [1:4]so that we boast of you in the churches of G.o.d, of your patience and faith, in all your persecutions and the afflictions which you endure, [1:5] a token of the righteous judgment of G.o.d that you should be deemed worthy of the kingdom of G.o.d, for which you also suffer, [1:6]since it is just with G.o.d to repay affliction to those who afflict you, [1:7]and to you who are afflicted rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels [1:8]in a flame of fire, executing judgment on all that know not G.o.d and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus; [1:9]who shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, [1:10]when he shall come to be glorified in his saints and to be admired by all that believe in that day, for our testimony was believed by you. [1:11] For which also we pray always for you, that our G.o.d will account you worthy of the calling, and accomplish all the good pleasure of [his] goodness and the work of faith with power; [1:12]that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our G.o.d and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 [2:1]And we beseech you, brothers, in respect to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being brought together to him, [2:2]that you be not soon shaken in mind, nor terrified, neither by a spirit, nor by a discourse, nor by an epistle as from us, as though the day of the Lord was at hand. [2:3]Let no one deceive you in any way, for [he shall not come] unless the apostacy comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, [2:4]who opposes and exalts himself above every thing that is called a G.o.d or an object of worship, so that he sits in the temple of G.o.d, showing himself that he is G.o.d. [2:5]Do you not remember that when I was with you I told you of these things?

[2:6]And now you know what hinders him from being revealed in his time.

[2:7]For the mystery of wickedness already works, [G.o.d] only restrains it just now, till it shall be out of the way; [2:8]and then shall the wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming, [2:9]whose coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles and false prodigies [2:10]and with every unrighteous deceit among those who are destroyed, because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved. [2:11]And therefore, G.o.d sends them a power of delusion that they should believe a lie, [2:12]that they all may be condemned who believe not the truth but have pleasure in wickedness.

4 [2:13]But we ought to thank G.o.d always for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because G.o.d from the beginning chose you to salvation by purification of spirit, and belief of the truth, [2:14]to which he called you by our gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[2:15]Therefore, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or by our epistle; [2:16]and our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our G.o.d and Father, who has loved us and given us eternal consolation and a good hope by grace, [2:17] comfort and confirm your hearts in every good work and word.

5 [3:1]Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, as also with you, [3:2]and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all have not faith.

[3:3]But the Lord is faithful, who will confirm you, and guard you from evil. [3:4]And we trust in the Lord with respect to you, that you both do and will do what we direct. [3:5] And may the Lord direct your hearts in the love of G.o.d, and in the patience of Christ.

6 [3:6]And we charge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which you received from us. [3:7]For you know yourselves how you ought to follow us, for we walked not disorderly among you, [3:8]neither did we eat bread of any one for nought, but worked with labor and fatigue, night and day, not to be burdensome to any of you; [3:9]not that we have not a right [to a support], but that we may make ourselves an example for you to follow us. [3:10]For when we were with you, we gave you this charge, that if any one will not work, neither let him eat. [3:11]For we hear that some go about among you in a disorderly manner, not working, but being above work; [3:12]we charge and exhort such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, to work quietly, and eat their own bread. [3:13]But, brothers, be not weary of well doing. [3:14]But if any one obeys not our word by this epistle, mark that one, and have no a.s.sociation with him, that he may be ashamed; [3:15]and account him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. [3:16]And may the Lord of peace give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

7 [3:17]The salutation by my hand, Paul's, which is [the] sign in every epistle; so I write. [3:18]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS.

EPHESUS, A.D. 56. (ACTS, 17:3.)

CHAPTER I.

PAUL'S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND OF THE GOSPEL.

1 [1:1]PAUL an apostle, not from men nor by man but by Jesus Christ and G.o.d the Father who raised him from the dead, [1:2]and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia. [1:3]Grace be to you and peace from G.o.d the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, [1:4]who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from the present evil life according to the will of G.o.d even our Father, [1:5] to whom be the glory forever and ever; amen.

2 [1:6]I wonder that you have so quickly turned away from him that called you in the grace of Christ to another gospel, [1:7]which is not another; but there are some who disturb you and wish to subvert the gospel of Christ. [1:8]But if we or an angel from heaven preach you another gospel contrary to what we have preached you let him be accursed. [1:9]As we said before I now also say again, If any one preaches you a gospel contrary to what you have received let him be accursed. [1:10]For do I now obey man, or G.o.d? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I could not have been a servant of Christ.

3 [1:11]For I certify you, brothers, of the gospel preached by me, that it is not according to man; [1:12]for I neither received it from man nor was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ. [1:13]For you heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I greatly persecuted the church of G.o.d and destroyed it; [1:14]and was a proficient in Judaism beyond many of my age among my people, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. [1:15] But when G.o.d who gave me being and called me by his grace, [1:16]was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the gentiles, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, [1:17]neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to Damascus.

4 [1:18]Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and staid with him fifteen days; [1:19]and I saw no other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. [1:20]And what I write to you, behold, before G.o.d, I lie not.

5 [1:21]Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. [1:22]But I was unknown by face to the churches of Christ in Judea, [1:23]only they heard that he who persecuted us formerly, now preached the faith which he formerly destroyed; [1:24]and they glorified G.o.d in me.

6 [2:1]Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also t.i.tus; [2:2]and I went up by a revelation, and proposed to them the gospel which I preach to the gentiles, but privately to persons of distinction, lest I should run or had run in vain. [2:3]But t.i.tus who was with me, and was a Greek, was not compelled to be circ.u.mcised; [2:4]but on account of false brothers brought in secretly to act as spies against our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, to bring us into servitude, [2:5]we did not yield to them by subjection, for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. [2:6]But from those of distinction, whatever they were it makes no difference to me,--G.o.d is partial to no man,--for those of distinction added nothing to me, [2:7]but on the contrary seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncirc.u.mcision, as Peter was of the circ.u.mcision,-- [2:8]for he that operated in Peter for the apostleship of the circ.u.mcision, operated also in me for the gentiles,-- [2:9]and knowing the grace given me, James and Cephas and John, who were manifest pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship that we should go to the gentiles and they to the circ.u.mcision; [2:10]only [they wished] that we should remember the poor, which I was also forward to do.

7 [2:11]But when Peter came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he was to blame. [2:12]For before some came from James he eat with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself; fearing those of the circ.u.mcision; [2:13]and the other Jews also dissembled with him, so that Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. [2:14]But when I saw that they walked not correctly, according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, If you being a Jew live after the manner of the gentiles, and not after the manner of the Jews, why do you compel the gentiles to practise Judaism? [2:15]For we Jews by race and not sinners of the gentiles, [2:16] knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by faith and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [2:17]But if seeking to be justified by Christ we are found to be ourselves also sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? By no means. [2:18] For if I build up again what I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [2:19]For by a law I have died to the law, that I may live to G.o.d. [2:20]I am crucified with Christ; and I no longer live myself, but Christ lives in me; and the present life which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of G.o.d, who loved me and gave himself for me. [2:21]I do not reject the grace of G.o.d; for if rightousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

CHAPTER II.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLAINED.

1 [3:1]O FOOLISH Galatians, who has fascinated you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been set forth among you crucified? [3:2]This only would I learn of you. Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by a hearing of faith? [3:3]Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit do you now end in the flesh? [3:4]Have you suffered so much in vain? if indeed also it is in vain. [3:5]He then that imparts to you the Spirit, and exercises miraculous powers among you, does he do it by works of the law, or by the doctrine of faith? [3:6] As Abraham believed G.o.d and it was accounted to him a righteousness.

2 [3:7]Know, therefore, that those of faith, these are children of Abraham. [3:8]And the Scripture foreseeing that G.o.d would justify the nations by faith, promised before to Abraham, In you shall all the nations be blessed. [3:9]Those of faith, therefore, are blessed with believing Abraham. [3:10]For as many as are of works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things written in the book of the law to do them. [3:11]And it is evident that no one is justified by the law before G.o.d, because the just shall live by faith, [3:12]but the law is not of faith, but he that does these things shall live by them. [3:13]Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree, [3:14]that the blessing of Abraham may come on the nations, in Christ Jesus, that we may receive the promise of the Spirit through the faith.

3 [3:15]Brothers, I speak according to man. But no one abolishes a man's covenant when it is established, or makes additions to it.

[3:16]The promises were spoken to Abraham and his offspring. He said not, And to offsprings, as of many, but as of one, And to your offspring, which is Christ. [3:17]And this I say; that the law which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot abrogate the covenant previously established by G.o.d, to make the promise of no effect.

[3:18]For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by the promise. But G.o.d gave it to Abraham by the promise. [3:19]What then?

The law was added on account of transgressions, till the offspring should come to which the promise was made, being appointed by angels by the hand of a mediator. [3:20]But there is no mediator of one; but G.o.d is one.

4 [3:21]Is the law then against the promises of G.o.d? By no means. For if a law had been given, able to give life, righteousness would really have been by the law; [3:22]but the Scripture has shut up all under sin, that the promise of the faith of Jesus Christ may be given to them that believe. [3:23]But before the faith came, we were kept shut up under the law for the faith to be revealed. [3:24]So that the law was our schoolmaster to lead to Christ, that we might be justified by faith; [3:25]but the faith having come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [3:26]For you are all children of G.o.d by the faith in Jesus Christ; [3:27]for as many of you as are baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. [3:28]There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither servant nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [3:29] And if you are of Christ, then are you Abraham's children and heirs according to the promise.

5 [4:1]But I say, that as long as the heir is a child, he differs not from a servant, though he is lord of all, [4:2]but is under tutors and stewards till the time appointed by the father. [4:3]So also we, when we were children, were in servitude under the rudiments of the world; [4:4]but when the fullness of time came, G.o.d sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [4:5] that he might redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [4:6]And because you are sons, G.o.d has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [4:7]So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of G.o.d.

6 [4:8]But formerly, not knowing G.o.d you served beings which are not really G.o.ds; [4:9]but now knowing G.o.d, or rather being known by G.o.d, how do you turn again to the weak and imperfect rudiments, which you wish again to serve? [4:10] Do you observe days, and months, and times, and years? [4:11]I am afraid of you, lest I have expended labor on you in vain.

7 [4:12]I beseech you, brothers, be as I am, for I am as you [ought to be]. You did not injure me; [4:13]but you knew I preached the gospel to you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh, [4:14]and my trial in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of G.o.d, as Christ Jesus. [4:15] What then was your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes and have given them to me. [4:16]Have I therefore become your enemy, by telling you the truth? [4:17]They are zealous for you, but not well, but they wish to exclude you that you may be zealous for them. [4:18]It is good to be zealous for a good object always, and not only when I am present with you. [4:19]My little children, with whom I am again in pain till Christ is formed in you, [4:20]I wish to be present with you now and change my voice with you, for I am in doubt of you.

8 [4:21]Tell me, you that wish to be under the law, do you not hear the law? [4:22]For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a servant woman, and the other by a free woman. [4:23]But he by the servant woman was born of the flesh, and he by the free woman, by the promise. [4:24]These things are allegorical, for those [women] are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for servitude, which is Hagar; [4:25]for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and the present Jerusalem answers to her, for she is in servitude with her children.

[4:26]But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us; [4:27]for it is written, Rejoice, barren woman, that did not bear, break forth and cry, woman that had no pain, for the children of the desolate are more numerous than those of her who had a husband.

[4:28]But we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise.

[4:29]But as then he that was born of the flesh persecuted him that was born of the Spirit, so also now. [4:30]But what says the Scripture?

Cast out the servant-woman and her son; for the son of the servant woman shall not be an heir, with the son of the free. [4:31]Wherefore, brothers, we are not children of the servant woman, but of the free.

CHAPTER III.

MORAL DUTIES.

1 [5:1]STAND firm in the liberty with which Christ has made you free, and be not again subject to a yoke of servitude. [5:2]Behold, I Paul tell you, that if you are circ.u.mcised Christ will not profit you.

[5:3]For I testify again to every man that is circ.u.mcised, that he is bound to perform the whole law. [5:4] You have departed from Christ, whoever of you are justified by the law, you have fallen from the grace. [5:5]For we wait in spirit for the hope of righteousness, by faith. [5:6]For in Christ Jesus neither circ.u.mcision avails any thing nor uncirc.u.mcision, but faith which works by love.

2 [5:7]You ran well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

[5:8]This persuasion is not of him that calls you. [5:9]A little leaven leavens the whole ma.s.s. [5:10]I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will not be of another mind; but he that troubles you shall bear his sin, whoever he is. [5:11] And I, brothers, if I preach circ.u.mcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then has the offense of the cross ceased. [5:12]I would that they were cut off that disturb you.

[5:13]For you are called to liberty, brothers, only make not your liberty an occasion for the flesh, but by love serve one another.

[5:14]For all the law is fully contained in one precept; you shall love your neighbor as yourself. [5:15]But if you bite and devour one another, see that you be not consumed one by another.

3 [5:16]And I say, walk in the Spirit and perform not the desire of the flesh. [5:17]For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposed one to another, so that you do not what you wish. [5:18]But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [5:19]For the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, impurity, lewdness, [5:20]idolatry, magic, enmities, strife, envy, anger, contentions, dissensions, heresies, [5:21]murders, drunkenness, revellings and the like, of which I tell you before, as I have also previously told you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d. [5:22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, [5:23]meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. [5:24]And the [subjects] of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its affections and desires.

[5:25]If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

[5:26]Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

4 [6:1]Brothers, if a man is overtaken with any fault, do you that are spiritual restore such a one with a spirit of meekness, considering yourself; lest you also be tried. [6:2]Bear one another's burdens, and so perform the law of Christ. [6:3]For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [6:4]But let each one prove his work, and then shall he have joy in himself alone and not in another, [6:5]for every one shall bear his own burden.

5 [6:6]Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that teaches of all good things. [6:7]Be not deceived, G.o.d is not mocked.

For what a man sows, that shall he also reap; [6:8]for he that sows for his flesh, shall of the flesh reap destruction; but he that sows for the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life eternal. [6:9]Let us not be weary of well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

[6:10]As we have opportunity, therefore, let us do good to all, but especially to the members of the family of the faith.

6 [6:11]You see with how long a letter I have written to you.

[6:12]Those who wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh compel you to be circ.u.mcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [6:13]For the circ.u.mcised themselves do not keep the law, but they wish you to be circ.u.mcised that they may glory in your flesh.