G1161–δέ–de

It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply by obeying the Law, because "the righteous shall live by faith,"

δὲ de “now”

and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that "he who does these things shall live by doing them."

δὲ de “And”

(Now the promises were given to Abraham and to his seed. God did not say "and to seeds," as if speaking of many, but "and to your seed," since He spoke of only one--and this is Christ.)

δὲ de “And”

I mean that the Covenant which God had already formally made is not abrogated by the Law which was given four hundred and thirty years later--so as to annul the promise.

δὲ de “now”

For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.

δὲ de “but”

But there cannot be a mediator where only one individual is concerned.

δὲ de “However”δὲ de “but”

Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed.

δὲ de “now”

But now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor-slave.

δὲ de “now”

And if you belong to Christ, then you are indeed true descendants of Abraham, and are heirs in fulfilment of the promise.

δὲ de “now”

Now I say that so long as an heir is a child, he in no respect differs from a slave, although he is the owner of everything,

δέ, de “now,”

But, when the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject to Law,

δὲ de “however”

And because you are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of His Son to enter your hearts and cry "Abba! our Father!"

δέ de “now”

Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir also through God's own act.

δὲ de “now”

Now, however, having come to know God--or rather to be known by Him--how is it you are again turning back to weak and worthless rudimentary notions to which you are once more willing to be enslaved?

δὲ de “however”δὲ de “however”

And you know that in those early days it was on account of bodily infirmity that I proclaimed the Good News to you,

δὲ de “now”

It is always an honourable thing to be courted in an honourable cause; always, and not only when I am with you, my children--

δὲ de “now”

Would that I were with you and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

δὲ de “indeed”

But we see that the child of the slave-girl was born in the common course of nature; but the child of the free woman in fulfilment of the promise.

δὲ de “however”

This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage together with her children.

δὲ de “Now”δὲ de “now”

But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother.

δὲ de “But”

But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a promise.

δέ, de “now,”

I once more protest to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation to obey the whole Law of Moses.

δὲ de “now”

For my part I have strong confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt my view of the matter. But the man--be he who he may--who is troubling you, will have to bear the full weight of the judgement to be pronounced on him.

δὲ de “however”

As for me, brethren, if I am still a preacher of circumcision, how is it that I am still suffering persecution? In that case the Cross has ceased to be a stumbling-block!

δέ, de “now,”

But if you are perpetually snarling and snapping at one another, beware lest you are destroyed by one another.

δὲ de “however”