Study Desk

My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar.

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman, than of her who has a husband."

But what does the Scripture say? "Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.

As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

For each one should carry his own load.

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.

For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,