Paragraph 2:6–10

In this paragraph, Paul wrote about two results from the meeting in Jerusalem.

The first result of that meeting (2:6) was that the apostles and elders did not find it necessary to add circumcision or anything else to Paul’s message. They agreed that the gospel that Paul preached was true and complete.

The second result (2:7–9) was that the apostles agreed that Paul had full authority as an apostle. They recognized that God had given him authority to preach the gospel to the Gentiles.

2:6

The most important idea in 2:6 is in 2:6d. It is that the church leaders did not add anything to Paul’s message. In some languages, it will be more natural to show that 2:6d is the important idea by putting it earlier in the verse. Compare the Berean Standard Bible with the God’s Word:

a But as for the highly esteemed—b whatever they were makes no difference to me; c God does not show favoritism—d those leaders added nothing to me. (Berean Standard Bible)

a Those who were recognized as important people d didn’t add a single thing to my message. b (What sort of people they were makes no difference to me, c since God doesn’t play favorites.) (God’s Word)

2:6a

But as for: Paul began this paragraph by mentioning the leaders of the church. These leaders contrast with the “false brothers” and their views.

Some other ways to begin this verse are:

And from (English Standard Version)
-or-
But from (New American Standard Bible)

the highly esteemed: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the highly esteemed is almost identical to a phrase in 2:2b. As mentioned there, this phrase refers to the men who were recognized as important leaders of the church in Jerusalem.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

those who were influential (NET Bible)
-or-
those who were held in high esteem (New International Version (2011))
-or-
the leaders of the church (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Those who were recognized as important people (God’s Word)

2:6b

whatever they were makes no difference to me: This clause refers to the fact that many people considered the leaders in Jerusalem to be superior to Paul. They considered them superior because they had been with Jesus. To Paul, what was important was a current relationship with Jesus. The fact that some people were with Jesus while he was on the earth was not important. Notice that Paul said “whatever they were.” He did not say “whatever they are.”

The leaders of the church in Jerusalem were important men, and Paul thought that it was important to meet with them. But he did not consider their status to be any different from his own status.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

the type of people they were previously does not matter to me
-or-
it is not important to me what their status/position was before
-or-
I do not consider important the type of person they were before

2:6c

God does not show favoritism: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as God does not show favoritism is an idiom in Greek. A literal translation of this Greek idiom would be something like “God does not accept/receive the face of a man.” This idiom means that God does not judge a person based on outward things such as wealth or status.

Paul used this idiom to say that, in God’s eyes, the church leaders were not more important than he was. The church leaders had been with Jesus when he was on the earth. Paul had not been with Jesus. But God did not consider them to be more important than Paul.

Some other ways to translate this idiom are:

God shows no favoritism between people (NET Bible)
-or-
God doesn’t have any favorites! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
To God everyone is the same (New Century Version)

2:6d

This verse is reordered in the Display, so see this verse part between 2:6a and 2:6b.

those leaders: In Greek, this clause is “the highly esteemed,” which is the same expression that Paul already used in 2:6a. For this reason, the Berean Standard Bible translates the clause here as those leaders. Translate this clause in a way that would be natural in your language. Because it repeats the same wording, if it would be natural in your language, you can follow the example of the Berean Standard Bible or you can combine the two phrases into one. For example:

a Those who were recognized as important people d didn’t add a single thing to my message. (God’s Word)

added nothing to me: This clause refers to the fact that the church leaders in Jerusalem did not add something to Paul’s message or change it. They agreed that he preached the true and complete gospel.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

None…added anything to my message. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
did not change the Good News that I preach (New Century Version)
-or-
did not tell me to teach something else
-or-
did not criticize my teaching

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

3:17a

In this verse Paul gave his spiritual application of the human example. He said (in 3:15) that a human document could not be changed. In the same way, God’s covenant promises cannot be changed. God established and ratified the covenant long before the law was given. This means that “believing” came before “doing/obeying” the law.

What I mean is this: This clause introduces the thing that Paul wanted to explain to the Galatians when he gave his human example (in 3:15b).

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Here is the meaning of my example
-or-
The thing that I want you to understand about God’s promise to Abraham is thi
-or-
Here is what I want you to understand

3:17b–d

Before you translate 3:17b–d, consider what is the most natural order in your language for these clauses. In some languages, it will be natural to change the order. Compare the order of the clause in the Berean Standard Bible and Good News Translation below:

b The law that came 430 years later c does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, d so as to nullify the promise. (Berean Standard Bible)

c God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. b The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, c cannot break that covenant d and cancel God’s promise. (Good News Translation)

3:17b

The law that came 430 years later: This clause means that God gave the law to Moses 430 years after God made his covenant with Abraham. God established the covenant first. Much later he gave the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

The law was given to Moses 430 years after God established the covenant with Abraham .
-or-

God gave the covenant to Abraham 430 years before he gave the law.
-or-

God made his promise with Abraham first. Then, 430 years later, he gave the law of Moses for the people .

3:17c

does not revoke: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as revoke is a different word than the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “canceled” in 3:15b. But the meaning is very similar. Many English versions translate the two Greek words with the same English word or expression.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

does not cancel/break
-or-
cannot set aside

the covenant: This word refers to the agreement/promise that God made with Abraham. This same word occurs in 3:15b. If possible, use the same term here as you did there.

In some languages, it will be necessary to use one word for a human covenant and another word or term for a covenant that God makes. When God made a covenant with Abraham, he did not sign a paper.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

a contract
-or-
a promise
-or-
the agreement

See covenant in the Glossary.

previously established by God: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as established is the same word used in 3:15b. God had ratified or established his covenant with Abraham (before he gave the law). He established it by verbally promising to keep it.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

that God made
-or-
and promised to keep it (Good News Translation)
-or-
that God sealed

In this verse, you should not translate established with a word that only refers to signing an agreement. God did not literally sign an agreement with Abraham.

3:17d

so as to nullify the promise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nullify means “cancel,” “destroy,” or “abolish.” The law did not break or cancel God’s promise with Abraham. This implies that the covenant promises are still in effect.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and cancel God’s promise (Good News Translation)
-or-
and break the agreement

General Comment on 3:17c–d

The clause “revoke the covenant” in 3:17c is similar to “nullify the promise” in 3:17d. In some languages, both clauses can be translated as one. The one clause is underlined below.

The laws given to Moses 430 years after God had already put his promise to Abraham into effect didn’t cancel the promise to Abraham. (God’s Word)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:20a

how I wish I could be with you now: In this clause Paul stated that he wished that he could talk to the Galatians face to face. He wanted personal interaction with them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I would like to be with you now
-or-
I desire to be there with you now so that we could talk together

and change my tone: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as change my tone means that Paul wished that he could change the way in which he was writing/talking to them. He wanted to change from being harsh to being more gentle.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

and could change the way I am talking to you (New Century Version)
-or-
so that I could be more gentle with you (New Living Translation (1996))

4:20b

because: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because indicates that 4:20b is the reason for 4:20a. Paul wanted to be with the Galatians, for/because he was perplexed about them.

In some languages, it will be more natural to state the reason first. For example:

b I am perplexed about you, a so I wish I could be present with you now…

I am perplexed about you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as am perplexed means that Paul was “very puzzled” or “uncertain.” He was puzzled because the Galatians had accepted obedience to the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

because I do not know what to think about you (New Century Version)
-or-
I’m completely puzzled by what you’ve done! (God’s Word)
-or-
I am so worried about you! (Good News Translation)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

5:21a

envy: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as envy refers to bad feelings toward others because you want something they have. It is very close in meaning to the word above that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “jealousy.” In some languages, there may be only one word for these two Greek words.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

envying (NET Bible)
-or-
feeling envy (New Century Version)
-or-
people want the possessions of others

drunkenness, orgies: These words refer to drunken living. Such a person ignores his responsibilities to others.

drunkenness: The word drunkenness refers to drinking too much alcohol so that one is unable to think clearly.

Some ways to translate this word are:

being drunk (New Century Version)
-or-
get drunk (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
drinking too much alcohol

orgies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as orgies refers to wild parties with much drinking in which many evil things occur. They often result in people committing sexual sins and other sins.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

carousing
-or-
having wild and wasteful parties (New Century Version)
-or-
evil celebrations

5:21b

and the like: The phrase and the like indicates that there are many more actions that come from the sinful nature. They are like the ones Paul listed. The Galatians would be able to recognize other “works of the flesh” not included in his list.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and doing other things like these (New Century Version)
-or-
and do other evil things as well (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and many other sins like these
-or-
and similar things (NET Bible)

5:21c

I warn you, as I did before: The clause as I did before probably refers to some of Paul’s teaching when he was with them in person. The warning in this letter is not the first time that Paul has warned the Galatians about the consequences of doing the sins that he just listed.

Some other ways to translate these clauses are:

I am warning you, as I had warned you before (NET Bible)
-or-
I told you before, and I am telling you again (Contemporary English Version)

5:21d

that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God: The word inherit means “receive” something that has been promised. People who do the works of the flesh will not inherit/receive God’s kingdom. This means that they will not enter/live in God’s kingdom. They will not be citizens of the kingdom.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

those who do such things will not have a part/portion in the kingdom of God
-or-
those who do these things will not enter into God’s kingdom
-or-
that those who indulge in such things will never be included in God’s kingdom
-or-
no one who does these sins will live in God’s kingdom

kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

Some ways to translate this phrase are:

• As a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• As a verbal expression:

God rules his people
-or-
God cares for his people as king

See also kingdom in the Glossary.

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

1:9

In 1:9, Paul focused on the real situation in Galatia. There were false teachers who were teaching the Galatians a false gospel. The believers were deserting the true gospel to follow that false gospel. Paul used the clauses in 1:9a to draw attention to how serious the situation was in Galatia. He used very strong language to condemn the false teachers.

1:9a

As we have said before, so now I say again: There are two ways to interpret these two clauses:

(1) It refers to a message that Paul had given on a previous visit to Galatia.

(2) It refers to the curse Paul has just pronounced in 1:8.

Most commentators believe that Paul was referring to what he and Barnabas had told the Galatians on a previous visit. This visit was several months or a few years before he wrote this book. If possible, translate in a way that either interpretation could be understood. If you must make a choice, choose interpretation (1).

Some other ways to translate these clauses are:

I say again what we have said before (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
We said this before, and now I say it again

1:9b

If anyone is preaching to you: This clause is similar, but not identical, to 1:8b. It is no longer a hypothetical statement about what “we or an angel” might do. Instead, it is a statement about what some people were actually doing.

To make this clear, it may be better in some languages to begin this clause with something other than If. For example:

Whoever is preaching to you
-or-
may anybody who preaches (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
anyone who preaches (Contemporary English Version)

a gospel contrary to the one you received: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as contrary to is the same word as in 1:8b. It can also be translated as “that is opposed to” or “that does not agree with.” You should translate it here as you did in 1:8b.

The phrase the one you received refers to the true gospel that the Galatians had originally believed and accepted from Paul.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

a gospel that is different from the one you accepted (Good News Translation)
-or-
a gospel that is not the one you already received from me
-or-
a message that does not agree with the good news that you believed

1:9c

let him be under a curse: This is exactly the same clause as in 1:8c. You should translate it the same way.

General Comment on 1:9b–c

In some languages, it will be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 1:9b–c. For example:

c I hope God will punish b anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed (Contemporary English Version)

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:17a–c

But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!: In Greek, 2:17 is a complex sentence. Before you translate this complex sentence, it is important to understand its grammatical structure.

The main part of this verse is the rhetorical question at the end of the verse: does that make Christ a minister of sin? This rhetorical question begins with an if clause. In the middle of this if clause, there is an embedded clause: while we seek to be justified in Christ.

Your translation may be easier to understand if you put this embedded clause first. For example:

We are endeavoring/seeking to be justified in Christ. But if, while doing that, we too are found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!

The parts of this verse are explained below.

2:17a

But: There is a contrast between the clause “not Gentile ‘sinners’” (in 2:15) and “if…we ourselves are found to be sinners” (here in 2:17). The Berean Standard Bible indicates this contrast with the conjunction But.

This contrast is between two clauses that are separated by several verses. So some English versions do not indicate this contrast with a conjunction. In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary here either.

while we seek to be justified in Christ: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as while we seek means “we are seeking/looking.” It implies success.

The clause to be justified in Christ has the same meaning as “we may be justified by faith in Christ” (2:16d). It means that God makes us right with him because we believe in Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
we try to be put right with God by our union with Christ (Good News Translation)
-or-
we want God to consider us righteous because of our faith in Christ

2:17b

we ourselves are found to be sinners: The pronoun we refers to Paul, Peter, Barnabas, and other Jews who became Christians.

There are several ways to interpret this clause. Two of the main interpretations are centered on the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are found :

(1) It has a passive meaning. Peter, Paul, and other Jewish Christians were found to be sinners by other Jews who still followed the law. One example of this was when the men from James arrived in Antioch and found Peter and other Jews eating with Gentiles. They found that they were not obeying the law. The men from James found/considered Peter and other Jewish Christians to be sinners just as the Gentiles were sinners.

(2) It has a reflexive meaning. Peter, Paul, and other Jewish Christians found themselves to be sinners. This happen when they were searching to be right before God and they realized that the law would not save them. They realized that they themselves were sinners just like the Gentiles. For example:

we discovered that we are sinners too (Contemporary English Version)

Most English versions are ambiguous, and it is not possible to tell which interpretation they follow. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation suits the context of 2:16 and also the previous paragraph about the men from James.

According to interpretation (1), some Jews accused Peter and Paul of being sinners because they had abandoned the law of Moses. But their accusation was not true. Peter and Paul were not sinners in God’s eyes. Paul did not agree with their accusation, but he included it to show that its conclusion was not logical.

Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

we ourselves have also been found to be sinners (NET Bible)

• Use an active clause. For example:

hey found/regarded us also to be sinners
-or-

some Jews considered us also to be sinners

found: Here, the word found means “considered” or “regarded.” Jews who followed the law “regarded” Jewish Christians as sinners. This word does not mean “found” in the sense of lost and then found.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

considered/regarded
-or-
counted
-or-
looked upon

sinners: Here the word sinners refers to someone who does not follow all the Jewish laws. One example is Peter. The men from James found Peter to be a sinner because he ate with Gentiles. He also probably ate their food. These things were against Jewish laws. The Jews considered Peter and the other Jewish believers to be sinners, but they were not sinners in God’s eyes.

To make this meaning clear, it may be necessary to add some information. For example:

sinners in the eyes of some Jews
-or-
found by some Jews to be sinners

2:17c

does that make Christ a minister of sin?: The phrase a minister of sin refers to someone who “serves sin” or “works for sin.” A person who works for sin is someone who encourages other people to sin.

This clause is a rhetorical question. Paul used this rhetorical question to emphasize that Christ does not serve sin. He does not encourage people to sin.

Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

does that mean that Christ encourages us to sin? (God’s Word)
-or-
Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Does this mean that Christ is the one who makes us sinners? (Contemporary English Version)

• As a statement. For example:

This does not in any way mean that Christ encourages us to sin.

Use whichever form is most natural in your language to emphasize that Christ does not serve sin.

Certainly not!: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Certainly not is a strong response, “No!” to the rhetorical question.

Some ways to translate this are:

Never!
-or-
Absolutely not!
-or-
No, no, no!

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

3:28a

There is neither Jew nor Greek: This clause means that among believers, everyone is equal. There is no distinction between the races of Jew and Greek. Both Jews and Greeks are sons of God because they believe in Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is no difference between Jew and Greek (New Century Version)
-or-
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek
-or-
it does not matter whether a person is a Jew or a Greek

In some languages, it may be more natural to make the nouns Jew and Greek plural. For example:

there is no difference between Jews and Greeks

If you use the plural form for Jews and Greeks, you should also use plural forms for slaves, free men, men, and women.

Greek: In this context, the word Greek refers to a non-Jew.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

non-Jew
-or-
Gentile

3:28b

slave nor free: This clause is another example that among believers, everyone is equal. There is no distinction between a slave and a free man. Both slaves and free men are sons of God because they believe in Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is no difference between a slave and a free man
-or-

it does not matter whether one is a slave or not a slave
-or-

there is no distinction between a boss and a worker

3:28c

male nor female: This clause is the third example that among believers, everyone is equal. There is no distinction between men and women. Both men and women are sons of God because they believe in Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

there is no distinction between a man and a woman
-or-

it does not matter whether a person is a man or a woman

3:28d

for: Verse 3:28d is the reason why Paul can say that there is no difference between various categories of people (in 3:28a–c). There is no difference for/because everyone is one in Christ Jesus. The Greek introduces this reason with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for.

Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

You are all the same in Christ Jesus. (God’s Word)

In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary here either.

you are all one: This clause indicates that all believers are equal.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you are all equal
-or-
You are all the same (God’s Word)

in Christ Jesus: This phrase refers to being united to or joined with Christ Jesus. Believers are united to Christ Jesus because they believe in him.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

in union with Christ Jesus (Good News Translation)
-or-
through faith in Christ Jesus (New Century Version)
-or-

because you believe in Christ Jesus

General Comment on 3:28

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 3:28d first in the verse. For example:

28d You are all one in Christ Jesus, 28a so there is neither Jew nor Greek, 28b slave nor free, 28c male nor female.

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

4:31a–b

Therefore, brothers: Verse 4:31 is the conclusion to this section. The Greek introduces this conclusion with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore.

Some other ways to translate this conjunction are:

So, brothers, (English Standard Version)
-or-
In conclusion, fellow believers

we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman: In this clause, Paul concluded this section by repeating the main point of his illustration. His main point is the contrast between the two branches of Abraham’s family and who they are.

The slave woman and her slave children represent the Jewish law and those who are slaves to the law. The free woman represents righteousness by faith apart from the law. Her children are free through faith in Christ. The Galatian believers are children of the free woman.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make parts of this explicit. For example:

we are not children of the slave woman and slaves to the law . We are children of the free woman, and sons of God by faith .
-or-
we are not children of the slave woman, obligated to the law. We are children of the free woman, acceptable to God because of our faith. (New Living Translation (1996))

© 2016 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.