Galatians 1:15

1:15 But when the one ¹  who set me apart from birth ²  and called me by his grace was pleased

Galatians 3:13-14

3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming ³  a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) ⁴  3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, ⁵  so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

Galatians 5:13

Practice Love

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; ⁶  only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, ⁷  but through love serve one another. ⁸ 

[1:15]  ¹ tc ‡ Several important witnesses have ὁ θεός (Jo qeos) after εὐδόκησεν (eudokhsen; so א A D Ψ 0278 33 1739 1881 Ï co) while the shorter reading is supported by Ì⁴⁶ B F G 629 1505 pc lat. There is hardly any reason why scribes would omit the words (although the Beatty papyrus and the Western text do at times omit words and phrases), but several reasons why scribes would add the words (especially the need to clarify). The confluence of witnesses for the shorter reading (including a few fathers and versions) adds strong support for its authenticity. It is also in keeping with Paul’s style to refrain from mentioning God by name as a rhetorical device (cf. ExSyn 437 [although this section deals with passive constructions, the principle is the same]). NA²⁷ includes the words in brackets, indicating some doubts as to their authenticity.

[1:15]  ² tn Grk “from my mother’s womb.”

[3:13]  ³ tn Grk “having become”; the participle γενόμενος (genomenos) has been taken instrumentally.

[3:13]  ⁴ sn A quotation from Deut 21:23. By figurative extension the Greek word translated tree (ζύλον, zulon) can also be used to refer to a cross (L&N 6.28), the Roman instrument of execution.

[3:14]  ⁵ tn Or “so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus.”

[5:13]  ⁷ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.

[5:13]  ⁸ tn Grk “as an opportunity for the flesh”; BDAG 915 s.v. σάρξ 2.c.α states: “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as σ. or flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likew. present, and no good thing can live in the σάρξ…Gal 5:13, 24;…Opp. τὸ πνεῦμα…Gal 3:3; 5:16, 17ab; 6:8ab.”

[5:13]  ⁹ tn It is possible that the verb δουλεύετε (douleuete) should be translated “serve one another in a humble manner” here, referring to the way in which slaves serve their masters (see L&N 35.27).