Study Desk

They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc."

know that it is not through obedience to Law that a man can be declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being shall be declared free from guilt.

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the body I live through faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up to death on my behalf.

even as Abraham believed God, and his faith was placed to his account as righteousness?

Notice therefore that those who possess faith are true sons of Abraham.

And the Scripture, foreseeing that in consequence of faith God would declare the nations to be free from guilt, sent beforehand the Good News to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed."

So we see that it is those who possess faith that are blessed with believing Abraham.

It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply by obeying the Law, because "the righteous shall live by faith,"

and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that "he who does these things shall live by doing them."

Our freedom has been thus purchased in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing belonging to Abraham may come upon the nations, so that through faith we may receive the promised Spirit.

But Scripture has shown that all mankind are the prisoners of sin, in order that the promised blessing, which depends on faith in Jesus Christ, may be given to those who believe.

Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed.

So that the Law has acted the part of a tutor-slave to lead us to Christ, in order that through faith we may be declared to be free from guilt.

But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor-slave.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus;

*We* have not, for through the Spirit we wait with longing hope for an acceptance with God which is to come through faith.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any importance; but only faith working through love.

Would to God that those who are unsettling your faith would even mutilate themselves.

good faith, meekness, self-restraint.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us labour for the good of all, and especially of those who belong to the household of the faith.