Study Desk

Yeshua the Messiah did this so that in union with him the Gentiles might receive the blessing announced to Avraham, so that through trusting and being faithful, we might receive what was promised, namely, the Spirit.

Here is what I am saying: the legal part of the Torah, which came into being 430 years later, does not nullify an oath sworn by God, so as to abolish the promise.

So then, why the legal part of the Torah? It was added in order to create transgressions, until the coming of the seed about whom the promise had been made. Moreover, it was handed down through angels and a mediator.

But instead, the Tanakh shuts up everything under sin; so that what had been promised might be given, on the basis of Yeshua the Messiah's trusting faithfulness, to those who continue to be trustingly faithful.

Accordingly, the Torah functioned as a custodian until the Messiah came, so that we might be declared righteous on the ground of trusting and being faithful.

So it is with us — when we were "children" we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe;

so that he might redeem those in subjection to this legalism and thus enable us to be made God's sons.

So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son you are also an heir.

But now you do know God, and, more than that, you are known by God. So how is it that you turn back again to those weak and miserable elemental spirits? Do you want to enslave yourselves to them once more?

So what has become of the joy you felt? For I bear you witness that had it been possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.

True, these teachers are zealous for you, but their motives are not good. They want to separate you from us so that you will become zealous for them.

But just as then the one born according to limited human capability persecuted the one born through the Spirit's supernatural power, so it is now.

So, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

For the old nature wants what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is contrary to the old nature. These oppose each other, so that you find yourselves unable to carry out your good intentions.

Brothers, suppose someone is caught doing something wrong. You who have the Spirit should set him right, but in a spirit of humility, keeping an eye on yourselves so that you won't be tempted too.

So let each of you scrutinize his own actions. Then if you do find something to boast about, at least the boasting will be based on what you have actually done and not merely on a judgment that you are better than someone else;

So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we don't give up, we will in due time reap the harvest.

For even those who are getting circumcised don't observe the Torah. On the contrary, they want you to get circumcised so that they can boast of having gained your adherence.

so that we would bring him praise commensurate with the glory of the grace he gave us through the Beloved One.

so that we who earlier had put our hope in the Messiah would bring him praise commensurate with his glory.