Part 45 (1/2)

IV.

NOW I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a servant though he is lord of all; (2)but is under guardians and stewards, until the time appointed by the father. (3)So also we, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements[4:3] of the world. (4)But when the fullness of the time came, G.o.d sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under law, (5)that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)And because ye are sons, G.o.d sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7)So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through G.o.d. (8)But at that time indeed, when ye knew not G.o.d, ye served those which are not in their nature G.o.ds. (9)But now, after having known G.o.d, or rather having been known by G.o.d, how is it that ye turn back again to the weak and poor elements[4:9], to which ye desire to be in bondage again anew? (10)Do ye carefully observe days, and months, and seasons, and years? (11)I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

(12)Become as I am, for I also became as ye are, brethren, I beseech you. Ye injured me in nothing. (13)Nay, ye know that by reason of weakness of the flesh I preached the glad tidings to you the former time; (14)and my trial[4:14], which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor spurned, but received me as an angel of G.o.d, as Christ Jesus.

(15)Where is[4:15] then the happiness of which ye spoke? For I bear you witness, that if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. (16)So then, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (17)They zealously seek you, not well; but they wish to exclude you, that ye may zealously seek them. (18)But it is good to be zealously sought in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you. (19)My little children, of whom I travail again in birth, until Christ be formed in you! (20)And I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed on account of you.

(21)Tell me, ye who desire to be under law, do ye not hear the law?

(22)For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman, and one by the freewoman. (23)But the one by the bondwoman was born after the flesh, and the one by the freewoman through the promise. (24)Which things are an allegory[4:24]. For these women are two covenants, one from mount Sinai, bearing children into bondage, (25)which is Hagar (for the word Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia), and answers to the Jerusalem that now is, for she is in bondage with her children. (26)But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all[4:26]. (27)For it is written:

Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; Because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her who has the husband.

(28)But ye, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of promise. (29)But as then, the one born after the flesh persecuted the one born after the spirit, so also is it now. (30)But what says the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. (31)So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the freewoman.

V.

STAND fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage. (2)Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye be circ.u.mcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3)Now I testify again to every man who becomes circ.u.mcised, that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. (4)Ye are separated from Christ, whoever of you are justified in the law; ye are fallen away from grace. (5)For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (6)For in Christ Jesus neither circ.u.mcision avails any thing, nor uncirc.u.mcision, but faith working by love.

(7)Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth? (8)The persuasion is not from him who calls you. (9)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (10)I have confidence toward you in the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be. (11)But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circ.u.mcision, why am I still persecuted?

Then has the offense of the cross ceased. (12)I would that they were even cut off who unsettle you.

(13)For ye were called unto liberty, brethren; only use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

(14)For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (15)But if ye bite and devour one another, beware lest ye be consumed by one another.

(16)But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the desire of the flesh. (17)For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that ye may not do those things that ye would. (18)But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.

(19)Now the works of the flesh are manifest; which are, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, (20)idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, emulation, wraths, contentions, divisions, factions, (21)envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings; and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d.

(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, (23)meekness, temperance; against such things there is no law. (24)And they that are Christ's crucified the flesh with its pa.s.sions and desires. (25)If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (26)Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

VI.

BRETHREN, even if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2)Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill[6:2] the law of Christ. (3)For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4)But let each one prove his own work, and then shall he have ground of glorying in reference to himself alone, and not to another. (5)For each one shall bear his own load.

(6)But let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches, in all good things. (7)Be not deceived; G.o.d is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (8)Because he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9)And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10)So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(11)See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand.

(12)As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these constrain you to be circ.u.mcised; only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13)For neither do they themselves who are circ.u.mcised keep the law; but they desire that ye should be circ.u.mcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14)But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (15)For in Christ Jesus neither circ.u.mcision avails anything, nor uncirc.u.mcision, but a new creation. (16)And as many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of G.o.d.

(17)Henceforth let no one trouble me; for I bear the marks of Jesus in my body.

(18)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.

Amen.