1O Galati insensati, chi vi ha ammaliati, voi, davanti ai cui occhi Gesù Cristo è stato rappresentato crocifisso?2Questo soltanto desidero sapere da voi: avete ricevuto lo Spirito per mezzo delle opere della legge o mediante la predicazione della fede?3Siete così insensati? Dopo aver cominciato con lo Spirito, volete ora raggiungere la perfezione con la carne?4Avete sofferto tante cose invano? Se pure è proprio invano.5Colui dunque che vi somministra lo Spirito e opera miracoli tra di voi, lo fa per mezzo delle opere della legge o con la predicazione della fede?6Così anche Abraamo credette a Dio e ciò gli fu messo in conto come giustizia[1].7Riconoscete dunque che quanti hanno fede sono figli di Abraamo.8La Scrittura, prevedendo che Dio avrebbe giustificato gli stranieri per fede, preannunciò ad Abraamo questa buona notizia: «In te saranno benedette tutte le nazioni»[2].9In tal modo, coloro che hanno la fede sono benedetti con il credente Abraamo.10Infatti tutti quelli che si basano sulle opere della legge sono sotto maledizione, perché è scritto: «Maledetto chiunque non si attiene a tutte le cose scritte nel libro della legge per metterle in pratica»[3].11E che nessuno mediante la legge sia giustificato davanti a Dio è evidente, perché il giusto vivrà per fede[4].12Ma la legge non si basa sulla fede; anzi essa dice: «Chi avrà messo in pratica queste cose, vivrà per mezzo di esse»[5].13Cristo ci ha riscattati dalla maledizione della legge, essendo divenuto maledizione per noi (poiché sta scritto: «Maledetto chiunque è appeso al legno»[6]),14affinché la benedizione di Abraamo venisse sugli stranieri in Cristo Gesù, e ricevessimo, per mezzo della fede, lo Spirito promesso.
La legge e la promessa
15Fratelli, io parlo secondo le usanze degli uomini: quando un testamento è stato validamente concluso, pur essendo soltanto un atto umano, nessuno lo annulla o vi aggiunge qualcosa.16Le promesse furono fatte ad Abraamo e alla sua progenie. Non dice: «E alle progenie», come se si trattasse di molte; ma, come parlando di una sola, dice: «E alla tua progenie[7]», che è Cristo.17Ecco quello che voglio dire: un testamento che Dio ha stabilito anteriormente, non può essere annullato, in modo da rendere vana la promessa, dalla legge sopraggiunta quattrocentotrent’anni più tardi.18Perché se l’eredità viene dalla legge, essa non viene più dalla promessa; Dio, invece, concesse questa grazia ad Abraamo, mediante la promessa.19Perché dunque la legge? Essa fu aggiunta a causa delle trasgressioni, finché venisse la progenie alla quale era stata fatta la promessa; e fu promulgata per mezzo di angeli, per mano di un mediatore.20Ora, un mediatore non è mediatore di uno solo; Dio invece è uno solo.21La legge è dunque contraria alle promesse {di Dio}? No di certo; perché se fosse stata data una legge capace di produrre la vita, allora sì, la giustizia sarebbe venuta dalla legge;22ma la Scrittura ha rinchiuso ogni cosa sotto peccato, affinché i beni promessi sulla base della fede in Gesù Cristo fossero dati ai credenti.23Ma prima che venisse la fede eravamo tenuti rinchiusi sotto la custodia della legge, in attesa della fede che doveva essere rivelata.24Così la legge è stata come un precettore per condurci a Cristo, affinché noi fossimo giustificati per fede.25Ma ora che la fede è venuta, non siamo più sotto precettore;26perché siete tutti figli di Dio per la fede in Cristo Gesù.27Infatti voi tutti che siete stati battezzati in Cristo vi siete rivestiti di Cristo.28Non c’è qui né Giudeo né Greco; non c’è né schiavo né libero; non c’è né maschio né femmina; perché voi tutti siete uno in Cristo Gesù.29Se siete di Cristo, siete dunque discendenza di Abraamo, eredi secondo la promessa.
1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. (Nu 21,9; 1Co 1,23)2Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (At 15,8; Ro 10,17; Ga 3,14; Ef 1,13; Eb 6,4)3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by[1] the flesh? (Ga 4,9; Fili 1,6)4Did you suffer[2] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? (1Co 15,2; Eb 10,35; 2G 1,8)5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— (1Co 12,10; Ga 3,2)6just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Gen 15,6; Ro 4,3; Ro 4,9; Ro 4,21)7Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. (Lu 19,9; Ga 3,9)8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify[3] the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” (Gen 12,3; Ro 3,30)9So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (De 27,26; Ger 11,3; Ez 18,4; Mat 5,19; Ro 4,15; Ga 5,4)11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”[4] (Abac 2,4; Ro 1,17; Ga 2,16; Eb 10,38)12But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” (Le 18,5; Ro 10,5)13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— (De 21,23; At 5,30; Ga 4,5; 2P 2,1; Ap 22,3)14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[5] through faith. (Is 32,15; Is 44,3; Gioe 2,28; Giov 7,39; At 2,33; Ro 4,9; Ro 4,16; Ga 3,2; Ga 3,28; Ef 1,13)
The Law and the Promise
15To give a human example, brothers:[6] even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. (Ro 3,5; Eb 9,17)16Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. (Gen 12,7; Lu 1,55; At 3,25; At 13,32; Ro 4,13; Ro 4,16)17This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. (Gen 15,13; Eso 12,40; At 7,6; Ro 4,14)18For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. (Eb 6,13)19Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. (Eso 20,19; Eso 20,21; De 5,5; De 5,22; De 5,27; De 5,31; At 7,38; At 7,53; Ro 4,15; Ga 3,16; Eb 2,2)20Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. (Ro 3,30; 1Ti 2,5; Eb 6,17; Eb 8,6; Eb 9,15; Eb 12,24)21Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. (Ga 2,21)22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (At 10,43; Ro 3,9; Ro 4,16; Ro 11,32)23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. (1P 1,5)24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. (Mat 5,17; Ro 10,4; 1Co 4,15; Ga 2,16; Ga 3,11; Col 2,17; Eb 9,9)25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. (Giov 1,12; Ro 8,14; Ga 4,5)27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (At 8,16; Ro 6,3; Ro 13,14)28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[7] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Ro 3,30; 1Co 11,11; 1Co 12,13; Ga 3,14; Ga 5,6; Ga 6,15)29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Ro 8,17; Ro 9,7; 1Co 3,23; Ga 4,1; Ga 4,7; Ga 4,28; Ef 3,6; 2Ti 1,1; Tit 1,2; Eb 9,15)
Galati 3
King James Version
1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1Warum wollt ihr Christen in Galatien das denn nicht endlich begreifen! Wer konnte euch bloß so verblenden? Habe ich euch das Sterben von Jesus Christus am Kreuz nicht deutlich vor Augen gestellt?2Beantwortet mir nur diese eine Frage: Wodurch habt ihr den Geist Gottes empfangen? Indem ihr die Forderungen des Gesetzes erfüllt habt oder weil ihr die Botschaft des Glaubens gehört und angenommen habt?3Wie könnt ihr nur so blind sein! Wollt ihr jetzt etwa aus eigener Kraft zu Ende führen, was Gottes Geist in euch begonnen hat?4Ihr habt doch so Großes mit Gott erfahren. Soll das wirklich alles vergeblich gewesen sein? Das kann ich einfach nicht glauben!5Ich frage euch darum noch einmal: Warum schenkt Gott euch seinen Geist und lässt Wunder bei euch geschehen? Weil ihr das Gesetz erfüllt oder weil ihr von Christus gehört habt und an ihn glaubt?6Erinnert euch einmal daran, was von Abraham gesagt wird: »Abraham glaubte Gott, und so fand er bei ihm Anerkennung.« (Gen 15,6)7Das bedeutet doch: Die wirklichen Nachkommen von Abraham sind alle, die glauben.8Die Heilige Schrift selbst hat schon längst darauf hingewiesen, dass Gott auch die anderen Völker durch den Glauben retten wird. Gott verkündete schon Abraham die gute Botschaft: »Durch dich sollen alle Völker gesegnet werden.« (Gen 12,3; Gen 18,18)9Mit Abraham, der unerschütterlich Gott vertraute, werden also alle gesegnet, die ebenso glauben wie er.10Wer dagegen darauf vertraut, von Gott angenommen zu werden, weil er das Gesetz erfüllt, der steht unter einem Fluch. Die Heilige Schrift sagt: »Verflucht ist, wer sich nicht an dieses ganze Gesetz hält und danach lebt!« (De 27,26)11Dass aber niemand durch das Gesetz Anerkennung bei Gott finden kann, ist ebenfalls klar. Denn in der Schrift heißt es an einer anderen Stelle: »Nur der wird Gottes Anerkennung finden und leben, der ihm vertraut.«[1] (Abac 2,4)12Das Gesetz aber fragt nicht nach dem Glauben. Hier gilt: »Nur wer seine Forderungen erfüllt, wird leben.« (Le 18,5)13Von diesem Fluch des Gesetzes hat uns Christus erlöst. Als er am Kreuz starb, hat er diesen Fluch auf sich genommen. In der Heiligen Schrift lesen wir ja: »Wer so aufgehängt wird, ist von Gott verflucht.«[2] (De 21,22)14Der Segen, den Gott Abraham zugesagt hatte, sollte durch Jesus Christus allen Völkern geschenkt werden. Und durch den Glauben an Christus empfangen wir alle den Geist Gottes, wie Gott es versprochen hat.
Das Gesetz und die Zusagen Gottes
15Liebe Brüder und Schwestern! Ich möchte einmal ein ganz alltägliches Beispiel gebrauchen. Ist ein Testament einmal ausgefertigt und rechtsgültig, dann kann niemand etwas hinzufügen oder gar das Testament selbst für ungültig erklären.16So ist es auch mit Gottes Zusagen an Abraham. Betrachten wir sie genauer, dann stellen wir fest: Gott gab sein Versprechen Abraham und seinem Nachkommen. Es heißt nicht: »Abraham und seinen Nachkommen«, als ob viele gemeint wären. Gott sagt ausdrücklich: »deinem Nachkommen«, also einem Einzigen.[3] Dieser Eine ist Christus. (Gen 12,7; Gen 13,15; Gen 17,7; Gen 24,7)17Ich will damit Folgendes sagen: Gottes Versprechen an Abraham ist rechtsgültig wie ein Testament[4], und das Gesetz von Mose, das erst 430 Jahre später gegeben wurde, ändert daran nichts. Gottes Versprechen wird deshalb nicht ungültig.18Würde Gott jetzt aber den Empfang des Erbes von der Erfüllung des Gesetzes abhängig machen, so wäre sein früheres Versprechen aufgehoben. Aber Gott hat Abraham das Erbe ausdrücklich ohne jede Bedingung zugesagt.
Welche Aufgabe hat das Gesetz?
19Was aber soll dann überhaupt das Gesetz? Gott hat es zusätzlich gegeben, damit wir das Ausmaß unserer Sünden erkennen. Dieses Gesetz – von den Engeln durch den Vermittler Mose zu uns gebracht – sollte auch nur so lange gelten, bis der Nachkomme von Abraham da wäre, an dem Gott sein Versprechen erfüllen wollte.20Bei dieser Zusage war kein Vermittler notwendig, sondern Gott, der Eine, hat selbst zu Abraham gesprochen.21Soll man nun daraus schließen, dass Gottes Zusagen und das Gesetz einander widersprechen? Auf keinen Fall! Das Gesetz, das Gott uns gegeben hat, kann uns ja schließlich kein neues Leben schenken. Nur dann käme unsere Anerkennung vor Gott tatsächlich durch die Erfüllung des Gesetzes.22Aber in der Heiligen Schrift heißt es eindeutig, dass wir alle Gefangene der Sünde sind. Gott wollte uns das, was er versprochen hatte, durch den Glauben an Jesus Christus schenken. Nur wer an ihn glaubt, sollte erleben, wie sich Gottes Zusage erfüllt.23Bevor aber der Glaube kam, waren wir Gefangene der Sünde, vom Gesetz scharf bewacht. Das dauerte so lange, bis die Zeit da war, in der der Glaube an Christus uns befreien sollte.24-25Bis dahin hatte das Gesetz für uns die Aufgabe eines strengen Erziehers. Seit Christus aber finden wir durch den Glauben Gottes Anerkennung und sind dem Gesetz, diesem strengen Erzieher, nicht mehr unterstellt.
Befreit durch den Glauben an Christus
26Nun seid ihr alle zu Kindern Gottes geworden, weil ihr durch den Glauben mit Jesus Christus verbunden seid.27Ihr gehört zu Christus,[5] denn ihr seid auf seinen Namen getauft.28Jetzt ist es nicht mehr wichtig, ob ihr Juden oder Griechen, Sklaven oder Freie, Männer oder Frauen seid: In Jesus Christus seid ihr alle eins.29Gehört ihr aber zu Christus, dann seid auch ihr Nachkommen von Abraham. Als seine Erben bekommt ihr alles, was Gott ihm zugesagt hat.