But when it pleased God, which separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, for to declare his son by me, that I should preach him among the heathen: Immediately I commended not of the matter with flesh and blood, neither returned to Ierusalem to them which were Apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto Damascus. Then after three years, I returned to Ierusalem unto Peter and abode with him xv days, no other of the Apostles saw I, save Iames the lord's brother. The things which I write, behold, God knoweth I lie not.
After that I went into the coasts of Siria and Cicill: and was unknown as touching my person unto the congregations of Iewry, which were in Christ. But they heard only, that he which persecuted us in time past, now preacheth the faith, which before he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.
The second Chapter.
Then xiiij. years there after, I went up again to Ierusalem with Barnabas, and took with me Titus also. Yee, and I went up by revelation, and commended with them of the gospell, which I preach among the gentiles: but apart with them that are counted chief, lest it should have been thought that I should run, or had run in vain. Also Titus which was with me, though he were a greek, yet was not compelled to be circumcised, and that because of incomers being false brethren, which came in among others to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Iesus, that they might bring us into bondage. To whom we gave no room, no not for the space of an hour, as concerning to be brought into subjection: and that because that the truth of the gospell might continue with you.
Of them which seemed to be great (what they were in time passed it maketh no matter to me: God looketh on no man's person) nevertheless they which seem great, added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospell over the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospell over circumcision was unto Peter (For he that was mighty in Peter in the Apostleship over the circumcision, the same was mighty in me among the gentiles:) and as soon as Iames, Cephas, and Ihon, which seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas their hands, and agreed with us that we should preach among the heathen, and they among the Iewes: warning only that we should remember the poor, which thing also I was diligent to do.
When Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him in the face, for he was worthy to be blamed. For yer that certain came from Iames, he ate with the gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision, and the other Iewes dissembled likewise, In so much that Barnabas was brought into their simulation also. But when I saw that they went not the right way after the truth of the gospell, I said unto Peter, before all men, if thou being a Iewe, livest after the manner of the gentiles, and not as do the Iewes: why causest thou the gentiles to follow the Iewes? we which are Iewes by nature and not sinners of the gentiles, know that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law: but by the faith of Iesus Christ: and we have believed on Iesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the deeds of the law: because that no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the law: If then while we seek to be made righteous by Christ, we ourselves are found sinners, is not then Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again that which I destroyed, then make I my self a trespasser. But I thorow the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ. I live verily, yet now not I, but Christ liveth in me. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the son of God, which loved me, and gave himself for me. I despise not the grace of God: For if righteousness come of the law, then is Christ dead in vain.
The .iij. Chapter.
O foolish Galatians: who hath bewitched you, that ye should not believe the truth? to whom Iesus Christ was described before the eyes, and among you crucified? This only would I learn of you, received ye the spirit by the deeds of the law? or else by preaching of the faith? Are ye so unwise, that after ye have begun in the spirit, ye would now end in the flesh? So many things ye have suffered in vain. If it be so that ye have suffered in vain. Which ministered to you the spirit, and worketh miracles among you doth he it thorow the deeds of the law? or by preaching of the faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was ascribed to him for righteousness. Understand therefore, that they which are of faith, are the children of Abraham.
The scripture saw aforehand, that God would justify the heathen thorow faith, and shewed beforehand glad tidings unto Abraham: In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are under the deeds of the law, are under malediction. For it is written: cursed is every man that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to fulfil them. That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident. For the just shall live by faith. The law is not of faith: but the man that fulfilleth the things contained in the law, shall live in them. Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, and was made a cursed for us (for it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth on tree) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles thorow Iesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the spirit thorow faith.
Brethren I will speak after the manner of men. Though it be but a man's testament, yet no man despiseth it, or addeth any thing thereto when it is once allowed. To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, in thy seeds as in many: But in thy seed, as in one, which is Christ. This I say that the law which began afterward, beyond iiij. C. and xxx. years, doth not disannul the testament, that was confirmed of God unto Christward, to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by promise.