Galatians

Urges believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given and not return to the law for salvation.

Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

*Paul is an apostle chosen not by people or anyone else, but directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who brought him back to life after he died.

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

*And all of us here with me send our greetings to the churches in Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

*"Blessings and peace to you from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ."

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

*He sacrificed himself for our mistakes to save us from this bad world, following God's plan as our father.

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

*To God be glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

*I am surprised that you left the one who called you to follow Christ's kindness so quickly, and now you're following a different message.

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

*This means that there are people causing problems for you and trying to change the message of Jesus' teachings.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

*But if someone, even an angel, teaches a different message than what we first taught you, that person is cursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

*As I mentioned before, I will say it again: If anyone teaches a different message than what you've already learned, consider them cursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

*Am I trying to convince people or God? Or am I seeking to impress people? Because if I just wanted to impress people, I wouldn't be serving Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

*But I promise you, brothers, the message I shared is not made up by people.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

*For I didn't learn it from people, nobody taught me, but I got it through Jesus Christ's revelation.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

*You have heard about how in the past, I used to follow Jewish religious practices very strictly, and I harshly opposed and harmed God's church.

14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

*I was very successful in following Jewish customs, more so than most others in my country, because I was extremely devoted to the traditions passed down by my ancestors.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

*But when God wanted to, he chose me from my mom's belly and called me using his kindness.

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

*To show his Son through me, so I can tell others about him; right away, I didn't talk with people or use my own thoughts.

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

*I didn't visit the apostles in Jerusalem before them; instead, I went to Arabia and later came back to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

*After three years, I visited Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for 15 days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

*But I didn't see any other apostles except for James, who was the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

*Now, what I'm writing to you, I promise you, I am not lying - I swear by God.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

*Then, I went to the areas of Syria and Cilicia.

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

*He was not recognized by appearance at the churches in Judea that followed Christ.

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

*They just learned that the person who used to harm us now teaches the same belief he once ruined.

24 And they glorified God in me.

*And they praised God because of me.

read summary

Back to Chapters

Back to Books

* work in progress, there will be mistakes