Acts, xxvi. 16, 17. c. ii. 2. CHAPTER II. nation, in the Jewish religion; being zealous to excess for the 14 But, when it pleased him THEN, and within four or, in the who separated me from my 15 I did not, immediately, 16 Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Kephas, and I continued with him fif teen days; 17 but I saw no other of the apostles, except James, the Lord's brother: 18 and in what I write to you, behold, before. God, I lie not. 19 Then, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia: 20 and I was unknown, in person, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 21 but they had only heard, Acts, ix. 21. That he who formerly persecuted us, now preacheth the faith which he before destroyed: years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus with me: fourth year. 2 and I went up openly, and c. i. 17. laid before them all, the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles; and severally to those who were chiefly esteemed, that I might not run, or have run, in vain. 3 But, neither was Titus, who was with me and who was a Greek, circumcised as of necessity, but only on account of the Acts, xv. I. false brethren that had crept in ; 4 who insinuated themselves, to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bond age: 5 to whom we gave way for the moment, not by submission, but that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 And, as to those who were reputed something, whatever they were maketh no difference to me, (God accepteth not the person of man); for, they who were so reputed, contributed nothing to me: 7 but, on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, as that of the circum 22 and they glorified God cision was to Peter; in me. 8 (for he who wrought in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought also in me for the Gentiles :) 9 and when they knew the grace that was given to me, James, Kephas, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; agreeing, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; 10 only exhorting us to be mindful of the poor, which I was also forward to do. 11 But, when Kephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for, before certain persons came from James, he eat with the Gentiles: 12 but, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision : 13 and the other Jews, also, dissembled with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away by their dissimulation: 14 but, when I saw that they walked not strait according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas, before them all; 15 If thou, who art a Jew, livest as the Gentiles, and not as the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as the Jews? 16 We, who are by nature Jewish sinners, and not sinners of the Gentiles; and who know that a man is not justiRom. ii. 20, fied by a law of works, but by faith in Christ Jesus, 28, 29. 17 even we have believed in Acts, xv. IL Jesus Christ, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by a law of works: for, by a law of works, no flesh will be justified. 18 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, even we ourselves are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? God forbid! 19 yet, if I build up again the things I have demolished, I render myself a transgressor: 20 for, by renouncing the law, I died to the law, that I might live to God; I am crucified with Christ: 21 nevertheless, I live: yet not I alone, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in God, and in Christ who loved me, and gave himself for me. 22 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for, if justifica- c. iii. 22. tion could have been by a law, truly Christ hath died in vain. Gen. xii. 3. Deut. xxvii. 26. Hab. ii. 4. Rom. i. 17. Heb. x. 38. 4 have ye suffered so many things in vain? if indeed it be in vain. 5 Doth he, then, who ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, do this by a law of works, or by faith in hearing? 6 even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for justification. 7 Know, therefore, that they only who are of faith, are children of Abraham : 8 and the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, declared beforehand to Abraham the glad tidings, "In "thee shall all the Gentiles "be blessed :" 9 so that they who are of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For, all who pertain to a law of works, are under the curse for it is written, "Cursed is every one that "continueth not in all the 'just shall live by his faith:" 12 and the law is not by Lev. xviii. 5. faith, but, "He who doeth "them, shall live by them." 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, by 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith in him. 15 Brethren, (I speak according to the custom of men), No one annulleth, or addeth even to a man's covenant, when it hath been confirmed : 16 now, the promises were expressed, to "Abraham and "to his seed:" he saith not, And to seeds, as to many; but as to one," And to thy Seed," which is Christ: 17 and this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot annul the covenant before confirmed by God, so as to render the promise of no effect: 18 for, if the inheritance were from the law, it would be no more by promise; but, God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore, then, was the law? It was added, on account of the transgressions, until the Seed to whom the promise was made should come; and was disposed by angels in the hand of a mediator: 20 but, the mediator is not of one only, but God is only one. Acts, vii. 39, 53. 21 Is the law then contrary to the promises? God forbid: 22 for, if a law had been given Heb. x. 2. which could have given life, truly justification would have been by that law; c. iv. 1-5. 23 but, the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe in him. 24 But, before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up together for the faith which was afterwards to be revealed; 25 so that the law became our tutor, to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith in him. 26 But, now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor : 27 for ye are all children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus; for, as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ: 28 there is no longer either Jew or Greek, there is no longer either bond or free, there is no longer either male or female; for, ye are all one, in Christ Jesus: 29 and, if ye are Christ's, then are ye of the seed of Abraham, and heirs according to the promise. CHAPTER IV. BUT I say, UT I say, That the heir, as long as he is an infant, differeth in nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 but is under tutors and governors, until the time before appointed by his father: 3 and so we, while we were infants, were in bondage under the elements of the world; 4 but, when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, begotten of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem us who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of his sons: 6 and, because ye are his sons, he hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father: Rom. viii. 16. 7 so that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and, if a son, then an heir of God. 8 But, at that time, ye who knew not God, served those which in their nature are no gods: 9 how is it then, now that ye know God, or rather are acknowledged by God, that ye turn again to those weak and beggarly elements, which ye wish again to serve? 10 ye observe days, and months, and times, and years: 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed labour upon you i. e. the Judaising Christians. in vain be ye as I am; that I also may be as ye are. 12 I beseech you, brethren, have ye done me no wrong? 13 ye know, that at the first I preached the gospel to you through infirmity of the flesh; 14 and your trial in my flesh, ye despised not; nor rejected me, but received me as a messenger of God, as Christ Jesus himself: 15 where then is your benediction? for I bear you witness, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and have given them and xxi. 2. Abraham had two sons; the Gen. xvi. 15. one by a maid-servant, the other by a free-woman: 22 but, he who was by the maid-servant, was begotten according to the flesh, but he by the free-woman, through the promise: 23 which words have another application for, those women are as the two Covenants; the first from Mount Sinai, bringing forth to bondage, which is Hagar: 24 but, Hagar is the name of Mount Sinai in Arabia; and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is, for she is in bondage, together with her children: many more than of her who "hath an husband." 27 Now we, brethren, are children of promise, as Isaac was: 28 but, as he who was begotten according to the flesh, then persecuted him who was begotten according to the Spirit, so also is it now: 29 yet, what saith the scripture? "Cast out the maid- Gen. xxi. 10. "servant and her son; for, "the son of the maid-servant "shall not share in the in |