Galatians 1
1 [I], Paul, [write this letter to you. I remind you that I am] an apostle. That is not because a group of people [appointed me], nor because a human being [sent me to be an apostle]. Instead, Jesus Christ and God [our heavenly] Father, who caused Jesus to become alive again after he died, have [appointed and] sent [me to be an apostle].
Paul, an Apostle, not from men, neither by man; but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from the dead;
2 All the fellow believers [who are here] with me [approve of this message that I am writing. I am sending this letter] to the congregations that [are] in Galatia [province].
and all the brethren who are with me, to the congregations of Galatia:
3 [I pray that] God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ will kindly [help] you and enable [you to have inner] peace.
Favor to you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Christ offered himself [as a sacrifice] in order that [he might remove the guilt for] our sins. He did that in order that he might enable us to not [do the evil things that people who do not know him] do. [He did this] because God, who is our Father, wanted it. (aiōn g165)
who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, (aiōn g165)
to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. (aiōn g165)
6 I am very disappointed [IRO] that so soon [after you trusted in Christ] you have turned away from [God]. He chose you in order that [you might have what] Christ freely/kindly gives. I am also disappointed that so soon you are believing a different [message which some say is] “good news.”
I wonder that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the favor of Christ, to another gospel;
7 Their message is not a true message. [What is happening is that] certain persons are confusing your [minds]. They are desiring to change the good message (that Christ [revealed/about] Christ) [and are creating another message].
which is not another: but there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we [(exc) apostles] or an angel from heaven would tell you a message that is different from the good message that we told you [before], I [appeal to God] that [he] punish such a person [forever].
But if even we, or an angel from heaven, declare a gospel to you, different from what we have declared to you, let him be accursed.
9 As I told you previously, so now I tell you this once more: Someone is telling you [what he says is] a good message, but it is a message that is different from [the good message] that I gave you. So I [appeal to God] that [he] severely punish that person.
As we said before, so now I say again, if any one declare a gospel to you, different from what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 [I said that] because [RHQ] I do not desire that people approve me, [contrary to what some have said about me]. It is God whom I desire to approve me. [Specifically, I do not say and do] [RHQ] things just to please people. If it were still people whom I was trying to please, then I would not be one who [willingly and completely] serves Christ.
For do I now conciliate men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 My fellow believers, I want you to know that the message about Christ that I proclaim to people is not one that some person [created/thought up].
Now I certify you, brethren, concerning the gospel which was declared by me, that it is not according to men.
12 I did not receive this message from a human [messenger], and no [human being] taught it to me. Instead, Jesus Christ revealed it to me.
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, except by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 People have told you how I used to behave when [I practiced] the Jewish religion. They told you that I continually did very harmful things to the groups of believers that God [established], and they told you that I tried to get rid of those people.
You have certainly heard of my behavior formerly in Judaism; that I exceedingly persecuted the congregation of God, and laid it waste;
14 I practiced the Jewish religion more thoroughly than many [other Jews] who were my age practiced it. I much more enthusiastically tried to get others to obey the traditions that my ancestors [kept].
and made progress in Judaism above many of the same age with myself, in my own nation, being more exceedingly jealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 Nevertheless, before I was born, [God] (set me apart/selected me). He chose me [to live eternally], something that I did not deserve.
But when God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his favor, was pleased
16 He wanted me to know that Jesus is (his Son/the man who is also God), so that I would tell others the message about him in regions where non-Jews live. But I did not immediately go to any human beings [SYN] in order to gain [an understanding of that message. I received it directly from Christ!]!
to reveal his Son to me, that I might declare the good news concerning him to the Gentiles; immediately I did not consult flesh and blood:
17 I did not [immediately] leave Damascus and go to Jerusalem [for that purpose] to those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away to Arabia [region, a desert area]. Later I returned once more to Damascus [city].
neither did I go up to Jerusalem, to them who were Apostles before me; but I went away in Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.
18 Then three years after [God revealed this good message to me], I went up to Jerusalem in order that I might meet Peter. But I stayed with him for [only] 15 days, [which was not long enough for him to teach me thoroughly about Christ].
Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 I also saw James, the brother of our Lord [Jesus and the leader of the believers there, but] I did not see any other apostle.
But I saw no other of the Apostles, except James, the Lord's brother.
20 God knows that what I am writing to you is completely true [LIT]!
Now as to the things which I write to you, behold, God is my witness that I do not falsely affirm.
21 After [I left Jerusalem], I went to [the regions of] Syria and Cilicia.
After that, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 [At that time, people in] the Christian congregations that are in Judea [province] still had not met me [SYN] personally.
and I was personally unknown to the congregations of Judea which are in Christ.
23 They only heard [others say about me] repeatedly, “[Paul], the one who was formerly doing harmful things to us, is now telling the [same message] which we believe and which formerly he was trying (to destroy/to cause people to stop believing)!”
They had only heard that--he who formerly persecuted us, now announces, as glad tidings, the faith which he formerly destroyed.
24 And they praised God because of [what had happened to] me.
And they glorified God on my account.
