Translation
Brothers, if a man is caught in some sin, you, the spiritual ones, must restore him in a spirit of gentleness, being careful that you are not tempted yourselves. Carry each other’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if someone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each should consider his own actions, and then have pride in himself alone, and not in another. For each will carry his own load. The one being taught in the word should share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived, God will not be made a fool of. For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap; because the one sowing the flesh in himself will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one sowing in the spirit will reap from the spirit eternal life. Let us not tire of doing good, because if we do not give up, we will reap at the proper time. Now then, as we have time, let us do good to all, especially to the household of faith.
Look at what large letters I write to you, in my own hand! Everyone who wishes to put on a good show in the flesh, these are the ones who compel you to be circumcised, in order that they might not be persecuted in the cross of Christ. For the ones being circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they wish you to be circumcised, in order that they may boast in your flesh! But as for me, may I never boast except in the cross of our lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything. What is, is a new creation. And to whoever lives by this principle, peace to them, and mercy, and also to the Israel of God.
May no one give me trouble anymore, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers; amen.
Reflections
I decided some time ago that while posting these translations, and the reflections they spawned, I was going to have to restrain the reflections somewhat. I also decided to post larger sections, so as to not be spamming Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr with small translation bits. Anyways, that strategy is probably best except for texts like this, where Paul’s string of thoughts are so varied that they invite a high number of different reflections, changing directions several times within a few verses. That’s not to say that Paul’s thoughts are disconnected here, but on the contrary they are so dense and efficient in passages like this that it is almost better to say very much or nothing at all. The text doesn’t tolerate moderate commentary very well. The commentator is either obliged to write a long interpretation or to simply restate the clear meaning of the text; there isn’t very much middle ground to be had!
That said, since this is the last of these translations, I think I’ll avoid comment on this particular passage altogether, and simply say that this exercise in Galatians has affected me very much. I have been thinking quiteca lot about the nature of the gospel, and how important it is. I’ve been noticing places that my cultre, my church, and even my own behavior and actions distort the gospel. More and more I think about what it means to become an evangelist in the sense of someone who proclaims, defends, and lives the euangellion (gospel) of Jesus Christ. There have been times in my life where the gospel owned me, carrying such priority. That’s the guy I want to be, all the time. I want every relationship, every conversation, every prayer, every sermon, every project, every waking day and every sleeping night to full of the gospel. I want to really let it fill up my heart, as it did Paul.
