The Epistle of St Paul the Apostle
Unto the Galathians
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The 1st
Chapter
Paul an apostle not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus
Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death: and all
the brethren which are with me.
Unto the congregations of Galacia.
Grace be with you and peace from God the father, and from our
Lord Jesus Christ, which gave himself for our sins, to deliver us
from this present evil world, through the will of God our father, to
whom be praise for ever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that you are so soon turned from him that called you
in the grace of Christ, unto another Gospell: which is nothing else,
but that there be some which trouble you, and intend to pervert the
Gospell of Christ. Nevertheless though we ourselves, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other Gospell unto you, than that which we
have preached unto you, hold him as accursed. As I said before, so
say I now again, if any man preach any other thing unto you, than
that you have received, hold him accursed. Preach I mans doctrine or
Gods? Other (Or do I)
go I about to please men? If I studied to please men, I were not the
servant of Christ.
I certify you brethren, that the Gospell which was preached of
me, was not after the manner of men, neither received I it of man,
neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus
Christ. For you have heard of my conversation in time past, in the
Jewes *ways, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation
of God, and spoiled it: and prevailed in the Jewes *laye, above many
of my companions, which were of mine own nation, and was a much more
fervent maintainer of the traditions of the elders.
But when it pleased God, which separated me from my mothers
womb, and called me by his grace, for to declare his son by me, that
I should preach him among the heathen: immediately I *commended not
of the matter with flesh and blood, neither returned to Jerusalem to
them which were Apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia,
and came again unto Damasco. Then after three years, I returned to
Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days, no other of
the Apostles saw I, save James the Lords brother. The things which I
write, behold, God knows I lie not.
After that I went into the coasts of Syria and Cilicia: and was
unknown as touching my person unto the congregations of Jewry, which
were in Christ. But they heard only that he which persecuted us in
time past, now preaches the faith which before he destroyed. And
they glorified God on my behalf.
*ways or *laye: means worldly, of those that
lay charges to and against the congregation of God. See here that
this word is not "religion" neither is the word religion found in
any of the original text. *commended (acclaimed)
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The 2nd
Chapter
Then fourteen years there after, I went up again to Jerusalem
with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also. you and I went up by
revelation and commended with them, of the Gospell which I preach
among the Gentiles: but between our selves, with them which were
counted chief, least it should have been thought that I should run
or had run in vain. Also Titus which was with me, though he were a
Greek, yet was not compelled to be circumcised, and that because of
incomers being false brethren which came in among others to spy out
our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us
into bondage. To whom we gave no room, no not for the space of an
hour, as concerning to be brought into subjection: and that because
that the truth of the Gospell might continue with you.
Of them which seemed to be great (what they were in time passed
it makes no matter to me: God looks on no mans person) nevertheless
they which seemed great, added nothing to me. But contrariwise, when
they saw that the Gospell over the uncircumcision was committed unto
me, as the Gospel over circumcision was unto Peter: for he that was
mighty in Peter in the Apostleship over the circumcision, the same
was mighty in me among the Gentiles: and therefore when they
perceived the grace that was given unto me, then James, Cephas and
John, which seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right
hands and agreed with us, that we should preach among the Heathen,
and they among the Jewes: warning only that we should remember the
poor. Which thing also I was diligent to do.
And when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him in the
face, for he was worthy to be blamed. For *ere that certain came
from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they were come, he
withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the
circumcision. And the other Jewes dissembled likewise, in so much
that Barnabas was brought into their simulation also. But when I
saw, that they went not the right way after the truth of the Gospell,
I said unto Peter, before all men, if you being a Jewe, live after
the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jewes: why cause you
the Gentiles to live as do the Jewes? We which are Jewes by nature,
and not sinners of the Gentiles, know that a man is not justified by
the deeds of the law: but by the faith of Jesus Christ. And
therefore we have believed on Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the deeds of the law:
because that by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified.
If then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we
ourselves are found sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin?
God forbid. For if I build again that which I destroyed, then make I
my self a trespasser. But I through the law, am dead to the law:
that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ. I live
verily: yet now not I, but Christ lives in me. For the life which I
now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, which
loved me, and gave him self for me. I despise not the grace of God.
For if righteousness come of the law, then Christ died in vain.
*yer (before)
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The 3rd
Chapter
O' foolish Galatians: who has bewitched you, that you should
not believe the truth? To whom Jesus Christ was described before the
eyes, and among you crucified. This only would I learn of you,
received you the spirit by the deeds of the law, or else by
preaching of the faith? Are you so unwise, that after you have begun
in the spirit, you would now end in the flesh?
So many things there you suffered in vain, if that be vain.
Which ministered to you the spirit, and works miracles among you,
does he it through the deeds of the law, or by preaching of the
faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was ascribed to him for
righteousness. Understand therefore, that they which are of faith,
the same are the children of Abraham.
For the scripture saw beforehand, that God would justify the
Heathen through faith, and therefore showed before hand glad tidings
unto Abraham: In you shall all nations be blessed. So then they
which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as
are under the deeds of the law, are under *malediction. For it is
written: cursed is every man that continues not in all things which
are written in the book of the law, to fulfil them. That no man is
justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident. For the just
shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but the man that
fulfills the things contained in the law (shall live in them). But
Christ has delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made
accursed for us. For it is written: cursed is every one that hangs
on tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the
spirit through faith.
Brethren I will speak after the manner of men. though it be but
a mans testament, yet no man despises it, or adds any thing thereto,
when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He says not in the seeds, as many: but in your seed, as in
one, which is Christ. This I say, that the law which began
afterward, beyond four hundred and thirty years, does not disannul
the testament, that was confirmed before of God unto Christ ward, to
make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance come of the
law, it comes not of promise. But God gave it unto Abraham by
promise.
Wherefore then serves the law? The law was added because of
transgression (till the seed came to which the promise was made) and
it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a mediator. A mediator is
not a mediator of one. But God is one. Is the law then against the
promise of God? God forbid. How be it if there had been a law given
which could have given life: then no doubt righteousness should have
come by the law. But the scripture concluded all things under sin
that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ, should be given unto
them that believe. Before that faith came, we were kept and shut up
under the law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ,
that we might be made righteous by faith. But after that faith is
come, now are we no longer under a schoolmaster. For you are all the
sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. For all you that
are baptised, have put on Christ. Now is there no Jewe neither
Gentile: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither man nor
woman: but you are all one thing in Christ *Jesu. If you be Christs,
then are you Abrahams seed, and heirs by promise.
*malediction
(curse). *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus.
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The 4th
Chapter
And I say that
the heir as long as he is a child, differeth not from a servant,
though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors, until
the time appointed of the father. Even so we, as long as we were
children, were in bondage under the ordinances of the world. But
when the time was full come, God sent his son born of a woman and
made bond unto the law, to redeem them which were under the law:
that we through election might receive the inheritance that
belongeth unto the natural sons. Because ye are sons, God hath sent
the spirit of his son into our hearts, which crieth Abba father.
Wherefore now, thou art not a servant, but a son. If thou be the
son, thou art also the heir of God through Christ.
Notwithstanding, when ye knew not God ye did service unto
them, which by nature were no Goddes. But now seeing ye know God (yee
rather are known of God) how is it that ye turn again unto the weak
and beggarly ceremonies, where unto again ye desire afresh to be in
bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am in
fear of you, lest I have bestowed on you labour in vain.
Brethren I beseech you, be ye as I am: for I am as ye are. You
have not hurt me at all. Ye know, how through infirmity of the
flesh, I preached the Gospell unto you at the first. And my
temptation which I suffered by reason of my flesh, ye despised not
neither abhorred: but received me as an Angel of God: yee as Christ
Jesus. How happy were ye then? for I bear you record that if it had
been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have
given them to me. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell
you the truth?
They are jealous over you amiss. Yee, they intend to exclude
you, that ye should be fervent to them ward. It is good always to be
fervent, so it be in a good thing, and not only when I am present
with you.
My little children (of whom I travail in birth again until
Christ be fashioned in you) I would I were with you now, and could
change my voice: for I stand in a doubt of you. Tell me ye that
desire to be under the law, have ye not heard of the law? For it is
written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other
by a free woman. Yee and he which was of the bondwoman was born
after the flesh: but he which was of the free woman, was born by
promise. Which things betoken mystery. For these women are two
testaments, the one from the mount Sinai, which gendreth unto
bondage, which is Agar. For mount Sinai is called Agar in Arabia,
and bordereth upon the city which is now Jerusalem, and is in
bondage with her children.
But Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is the mother of
us all. For it is written: rejoice thou barren, that bearest no
children, break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the
desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Brethren we are after the manner of Isaac, children of promise. But
as then he that was born carnally, persecuted him that was born
spiritually, even so is it now. Nevertheless what saith the
scripture: put away the bond woman and her son. For the son of the
bond woman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then
brethren we are not children of the bond woman: but of the free
woman.
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The 5th
Chapter
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made
us free, and wrap not your selves again in the yoke of bondage.
Behold I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall
profit you nothing at all. I testify again to every man which is
circumcised that he is bound to keep the whole law. you are gone
quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are
fallen from grace. We look for, and hope in the spirit, to be
justified through faith. For in Jesus Christ, neither is
circumcision any thing worth, neither yet uncircumcision, but faith
which by love is mighty in operation. you did run well: who was a
let unto you, that you should not obey the truth? Even that counsel
that is not of him that called you. A little leaven does leaven the
whole lump of dough.
I have trust toward you in the Lord, that you will be none
otherwise minded. He that troubles you shall bear his judgement,
whatsoever he be. Brethren if I yet preach circumcision: why do I
then yet suffer persecution? For then had the offense which the
cross gives, ceased. I would to God they were separated from you
which trouble you. Brethren you were called into (liberty) only let
not your liberty be an occasion unto the flesh, but in love serve
one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, which is
this: you shall love your neighbour as yourself. If you bite and
devour one another: take heed least you be consumed one of another.
I say walk in the spirit, and fulfil not the lusts of the
flesh. For the flesh lusts contrary to the spirit, and the spirit
contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that
you cannot do that which you would. But and if you be led of the
spirit, then are you not under the law. The deeds of the flesh are
manifest, which are these, *advoutry, fornication, uncleanness,
wantonness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, zeal, wrath,
strife, sedition, sects, envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and
suchlike of the which I tell you before as I have told you in time
past, that they which commit such things, shall not inherit, the
kingdom of God. But the fruit of spirit is, love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness,
temperance. Against such there is no law. They that are Christs,
have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts.
If we live in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit. Let us not
be vain glorious, provoking one another, and envying one another.
*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or without,
devout: devotion; plain hearted to God, being devoted to something
or some one else. see James 2 for adultery.
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The 6th
Chapter
Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance into any fault: you
which are spiritual help to amend him in the spirit of meekness:
considering yourself, least you also be tempted. Bear you one
anothers burden, and so fulfil the law of Christ. If any man seem to
himself that he is somewhat, when indeed he is nothing, the same
deceives himself in his imagination. Let every man prove his own
work, and then shall he have rejoicing in his own self, and not in
another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
Let him that is taught in the word minister unto him that
teaches him, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked.
For whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap. He that sows in his
flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that sows in the
spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. Let us not be
weary of well doing. For when the time is come, we shall reap with
out weariness. While we have therefore time, let us do good unto all
men, and specially unto them which are of the household of faith.
Behold how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own
hand. As many as desire with *utward appearance to please carnally,
they constrain you to be circumcised, only because they would not
suffer persecution with the cross of Christ. For they them selves
which are circumcised, keep not the law: but desire to have you
circumcised, that they might rejoice in your flesh.
God forbid that I should rejoice, but in the cross of our Lord
*Jesu Christ, whereby the world is crucified as touching me, and I
as concerning the world. For in Christ Jesu nether circumcision
avails anything at all nor uncircumcision: but a new creature.
*Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them,
and mercy, and upon Israel that pertains to God. From this time on,
let no man put me to business. For I bear in my body the marks of
the Lord Jesu.
Brethren the grace of our Lord Jesu Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
Unto the Galatians written from Rome
*utward (outward ) *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus |
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