Study Desk

I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.

We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

But as for the highly esteemed, whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism. For those men added nothing to my message.

For God, who was at work in Peter's apostleship to the Jews, was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing."

Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.

I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.

What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.