Galatians — Chapter 3
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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.
1O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?
2This only would I learn from 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 perfected in the flesh?
4Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.
5He therefore that supplieth 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 reckoned unto him for righteousness.
7Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.
8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, [saying,] In thee shall all the nations be blessed.
9So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.
11Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
12and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; 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 when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto.
16Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.
19What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; [and it was] ordained through angels by 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 make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
22But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24So that the law is become our tutor [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
28There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus.
29And if ye are Christ`s, then are ye Abraham`s seed, heirs according to promise.
1You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!
2The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?
3Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?
4Have you suffered so many things for nothing?—if indeed it was for nothing.
5Does God then give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?
6Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,
7so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.
8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”
9So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
10For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.”
11Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law because the righteous one will live by faith.
12But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them.
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)
14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
15Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it.
16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, “and to the descendants,” referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” referring to one, who is Christ.
17What I am saying is this: The law that came 430 years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise.
18For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.
19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary.
20Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one.
21Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
22But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—to those who believe.
23Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed.
24Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.
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.
27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.
1Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?
2I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?
4Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?
5He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
6Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”
7Know therefore that those who are of faith, the same are children of Abraham.
8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”
9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
11Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
12The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
14that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it.
16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ.
17Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.
18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
19Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
22But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
Summary
Paul argues that justification has always been by faith (as Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness), the Law was a temporary guardian until Christ came, and in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female."
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the argument from experience, from Abraham, from the Law's curse, from the Law's purpose, and the unity in Christ.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Made a Curse for Us" on v.13 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 674) "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse FOR US. Not just bearing the curse — BECOMING the curse. He was identified with the curse itself — hung on a tree, under God's judgment — so that the blessing of Abraham might come to us. The curse fell on Him; the blessing falls on us." Sermon: "The Schoolmaster" on v.24 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1402) "The law was our schoolmaster — not our savior. It taught us our need; it could not meet our need. It showed us our sin; it could not remove our sin. It drove us to Christ — and once we arrive at Christ, the schoolmaster's job is done."
Videos
The Bible Project — Galatians Overview
Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)
Reflection
- 1. "Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (v.3). You started by faith — why are you trying to finish by works? Where have you drifted from grace back to performance?
- 2. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (v.13). Christ bore the curse you deserved. You are free from condemnation. Do you live in that freedom, or do you still feel cursed?
- 3. "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ" (v.24). The Law's job was to show you your need — not to save you. Have you graduated from the schoolmaster to the Savior? Or are you still trying to please the schoolmaster?
- 4. "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (v.28). In Christ, every human division is transcended. How does this truth shape how you view people who are different from you — different race, different class, different background?
- 5. Paul asks "Did you receive the Spirit by works or by faith?" (v.2). The answer is obvious: faith. So why go back to works? What makes legalism so attractive even after experiencing grace?
- 6. "As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse" (v.10). If you rely on law-keeping, you must keep ALL of it perfectly — or you're cursed. How does this impossibility drive you to Christ?
- 7. The Law was a "schoolmaster" (v.24) — temporary, preparatory, leading to Christ. Once you've come to Christ, you're no longer under the schoolmaster. Are you living as a graduate (in freedom) or as a student still under the guardian (in bondage)?
- 8. "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (v.29). You are an heir — not by blood but by faith. What does it mean to live as an heir of God's promises?
- 9. "There is neither Jew nor Greek" (v.28). The Gospel demolishes every barrier between people. Where do barriers still exist in your church or community that the Gospel should be breaking down?