The Skeptics Annotated Bible (931 page)

6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.

7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind,
live in peace
; and
the God of love and peace
shall be with you.

(13.11a) “Live in peace.”

(13.11b)
“The God of love and peace”
99 Is the Biblical God a God of peace?

12
Greet one another with an holy kiss.

(13.12)
“Greet one another with an holy kiss.”

13 All the saints salute you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
—
Galatians 5.12

There’s a lot of cursing going on in Galatians. First Paul curses all those who disagree with him (
1.8-9
). Then he curses the Jews (
3.10
). Not even Jesus escapes Paul’s curse (3.13). But the part I like best is where he wishes his opponents would castrate themselves (
5.12
). Fun stuff.

Galatians Highlights:

• If anyone dares to disagree with Paul on religious matters, “let him be accursed.”
  1.8-9
  
• Those who try to follow the law are cursed
  3.10
  
• Jesus was cursed by God.
  3.13
  
• “If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.”
  5.2
  
• “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” (The New Revised Standard Version translates this verse as: “I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!”)
  5.12
  
• Witches, idol worshippers, and heretics will not go to heaven. (Guess where they’ll be going.)
  5.20-21
  
• “See how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.”
  6.11
  
• “Many … desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”
  6.12-13
  

1
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and
God the Father, who raised him from the dead
;)

(1.1)
“God the Father, who raised him from the dead”
437 Who raised Jesus from the dead?

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

(1.8-9) If anyone dares to disagree with Paul on religious matters, “let him be accursed.”
458 Is it OK to curse people?

8 But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

(1.8)
“Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

9 As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

(1.9)
“If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for
if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

(1.10)
“If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
If you do what other people want, you’re not a good Christian.
459 Should we try to please everyone?