Study Desk

Now I say, as long as the heir is a ^(F1)child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is ^(F2)owner of everything,

but he is under guardians and ^(F1)managers until the ^(F2)date set by the father.

So we too, when we were children, were held ^(C1)in bondage under the ^(F1)(C2)elementary principles of the world.

But when ^(C1)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, ^(C2)born of a woman, born ^(C3)under ^(F1)the Law,

so that He might redeem those who were under ^(F1)the Law, that we might receive the adoption as ^(C1)sons and daughters.

Because you are sons, ^(C1)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "^(C2)Abba! ^(F1)Father!"

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and ^(C1)if a son, then an heir ^(F1)through God.

However at that time, ^(C1)when you did not know God, you were ^(C2)slaves to ^(C3)those which by nature are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be ^(C1)known by God, ^(C2)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless ^(F1)(C3)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?

You ^(C1)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored ^(F1)over you in vain.

I beg of you, ^(C1)brothers and sisters, ^(C2)become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;

but you know that it was because of a ^(F1)bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the ^(F2)first time;

and you did not despise that which was a trial to you in my ^(F1)bodily condition, nor express contempt, but ^(C1)you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.

Where then is ^(F1)that sense of blessing you had? For I testify about you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

So have I become your enemy ^(C1)by ^(F1)telling you the truth?

They eagerly seek you, not ^(F1)in a commendable way, but they want to shut you out so that you will seek them.

But it is good always to be eagerly sought ^(F1)in a commendable way, and ^(C1)not only when I am present with you.

^(C1)My children, with whom ^(C2)I am again in labor until ^(C3)Christ is formed in you—

but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone of voice, for ^(C1)I am at a loss about you!

Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not ^(C1)listen to the Law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, ^(C1)one by the slave woman and ^(C2)one by the free woman.

But ^(C1)the son by the slave woman ^(F1)was born according to the flesh, and ^(C2)the son by the free woman through the promise.

^(F1)(C1)This is speaking allegorically, for these women are two covenants: one coming from ^(C2)Mount Sinai giving birth to children ^(F2)who are to be ^(C3)slaves; ^(F3)she is Hagar.

Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is enslaved with her children.

But ^(C1)the Jerusalem above is free; ^(F1)she is our mother.

For it is written: "^(C1)REJOICE, INFERTILE ONE, YOU WHO DO NOT GIVE BIRTH; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE ONE ARE MORE NUMEROUS THAN THOSE OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."

And you, brothers and sisters, ^(C1)like Isaac, are ^(C2)children of promise.

But as at that time ^(C1)the son who was born according to the flesh ^(C2)persecuted the one who was born according to the Spirit, ^(C3)so it is even now.

But what does the Scripture say? "^(C1)DRIVE OUT THE SLAVE WOMAN AND HER SON, FOR ^(C2)THE SON OF THE SLAVE WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

So then, brothers and sisters, we are not children of a slave woman, but of the free woman.

^(C1)It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore ^(C2)keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C3)yoke of slavery.

Look! I, ^(C1)Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves ^(C2)circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

And I ^(C1)testify again to every man who has himself ^(C2)circumcised, that he is obligated to ^(C3)keep the whole Law.

You have been severed from Christ, you who ^(F1)are seeking to be justified by the ^(F2)Law; you have ^(C1)fallen from grace.

For we, ^(F1)through the Spirit, ^(F2)by faith, are ^(C1)waiting for the hope of righteousness.

For in ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but ^(C3)faith working through love.

You were ^(C1)running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion did not come from ^(C1)Him who calls you.

^(C1)A little ^(F1)leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

^(C1)I have confidence ^(F1)in you in the Lord, that you ^(C2)will adopt no other view; but the one who is ^(C3)disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.

But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still ^(C1)persecuted? Then ^(C2)the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.

I wish that ^(C1)those who are troubling you would even ^(F1)(C2)emasculate themselves.

For you were called to ^(C1)freedom, brothers and sisters; ^(C2)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but ^(C3)serve one another through love.

For ^(C1)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "^(C2)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

But if you ^(C1)bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, ^(C1)walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out ^(C2)the desire of the flesh.

For ^(C1)the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, ^(C2)in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.

But if you are ^(C1)led by the Spirit, ^(C2)you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^(C1)sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,

idolatry, ^(C1)witchcraft, hostilities, ^(C2)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, ^(C3)selfish ambition, dissensions, ^(C4)factions,

envy, ^(C1)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not ^(C2)inherit the kingdom of God.

But ^(C1)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(C2)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, ^(C1)self-control; against such things ^(C2)there is no law.

Now those who ^(F1)belong to ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)crucified the flesh with its passions and ^(C3)desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let's follow ^(C1)the Spirit as well.

Let's not become ^(C1)boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

^(C1)Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are ^(C2)spiritual are to ^(C3)restore such a person ^(C4)in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.

^(C1)Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill ^(C2)the law of Christ.

For ^(C1)if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But each one must ^(C1)examine his own work, and then he will have reason for ^(C2)boasting, but ^(F1)to himself alone, and not ^(F1)to another.

For ^(C1)each one will bear his own load.

^(C1)The one who is taught ^(C2)the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.

^(C1)Do not be deceived, ^(C2)God is not mocked; for ^(C3)whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.

^(C1)For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap ^(C2)destruction from the flesh, but ^(C3)the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

^(C1)Let's not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we ^(C2)do not become weary.

So then, ^(F1)(C1)while we have opportunity, let's do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the ^(C2)household of ^(C3)the faith.

See with what large letters I have written to you ^(C1)with my own hand!

All who want ^(C1)to make a good showing in the flesh try to ^(C2)compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they ^(C3)will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For those who ^(F1)are circumcised do not even ^(C1)keep ^(F2)the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may ^(C2)boast in your flesh.

But ^(F1)(C1)far be it from me to boast, ^(C2)except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^(C3)through ^(F2)which the world has been crucified to me, and ^(C4)I to the world.

For ^(C1)neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a ^(C2)new ^(F1)creation.

And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the ^(C1)Israel of God.

From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the ^(F1)(C1)marks of Jesus.

^(C1)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be ^(C2)with your spirit, ^(C3)brothers and sisters. Amen.