THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL THE APOSTLE

UNTO THE GALATHIANS

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 ye 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 ye 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 ye 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. *ways or*laye: means worldly, of those that lay charges 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.

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 (acclaimed) 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 knoweth 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 preacheth the faith which before he destroyed. And they glorified God on my behalf.

The 2nd Chapter

Then fourteen years there after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also. Ye 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, lest 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 maketh no matter to me: God looketh 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 (before) 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 thou being a Jewe, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jewes: why causest thou 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 liveth 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.

The 3rd Chapter

O' foolish Galatians: who hath bewitched you, that ye 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 ye the spirit by the deeds of the law, or else by preaching of the faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh?

So many things there ye suffered in vain, if that be vain. Which ministered to you the spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doth 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 aforehand, that God would justify the Heathen through faith, and therefore showed before hand glad tidings unto Abraham: In thee 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 (curse). For it is written: cursed is every man that continueth 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 fulfilleth the things contained in the law (shall live in them). But Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made accursed for us. For it is written: cursed is every one that hangeth 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 despiseth it, or addeth any thing thereto, when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not in the seeds, as many: but in thy seed, as in one, which is Christ. This I say, that the law which began afterward, beyond four hundred and thirty years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed afore of God unto Christ ward, to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise. But God gave it unto Abraham by promise.

Wherefore then serveth 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 ye are all the sons of God, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. For all ye 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 ye are all one thing in Christ *Jesu. If ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs by promise. *Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus

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 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 Sina, 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.

The 5th Chapter

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and wrap not your selves again in the yoke of bondage. Behold I Paul say unto you, that if ye 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. Ye 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. Ye did run well: who was a let unto you, that ye should not obey the truth? Even that counsel that is not of him that called you. A little leaven doth leaven the whole lump of dough.

I have trust toward you in the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded. He that troubleth 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 giveth, ceased. I would to God they were separated from you which trouble you. Brethren ye 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: thou shalt love thine neighbour as thyself. If ye bite and devour one another: take heed lest ye be consumed one of another.

I say walk in the spirit, and fulfil not the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do that which ye would. But and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye 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. *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

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.

The 6th Chapter

Brethren, if any man be fallen by chance into any fault: ye which are spiritual help to amend him in the spirit of meekness: considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye 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 deceiveth 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 teacheth him, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. He that soweth in his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth 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 (outward) 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 availeth 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 pertaineth to God. From hence forth, 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.