Galatians3

Paul rebukes the Galatians for turning from justification by faith to the works of the law, reminding them they received the Spirit through faith. He asserts that Abraham was justified by faith, making those who believe his true children. The chapter emphasizes that the law brings a curse, from which Christ redeemed believers, enabling them to receive the blessing of Abraham and the Spirit through faith, not legalistic adherence. The law served as a temporary schoolmaster to lead to Christ, after which all believers are children of God and heirs of the promise.

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Appeal to Experience: Faith vs. Works

O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?

This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh?

Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain.

He 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?

Abraham Justified by Faith

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.

Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.

And 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.

So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

For 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.

Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;

and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ 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:

that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Law Cannot Nullify the Promise

Brethren, 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.

Now 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.

Now 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.

For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.

The Purpose of the Law

What 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.

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.

Is 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.

But the scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Sons and Heirs Through Faith

For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.

There 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.

And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.

Study Notes for Galatians 3

Verse 1

Paul’s tone is severe, indicating the seriousness of abandoning the gospel for legalism. *Bewitched* (Gk. *ebaskanen*) suggests that they have been misled by evil influence or false teaching, despite witnessing the powerful message of the Crucifixion.

Verse 2

This rhetorical question forces the Galatians to recall their initial conversion experience. The reception of the Holy Spirit (the sign of true salvation) was clearly a result of hearing and believing the gospel (*hearing of faith*), not by following Jewish rituals (*works of the law*).

Verse 3

The contrast between *Spirit* (divine power initiating salvation) and *flesh* (human effort and adherence to external regulations) highlights the absurdity of trying to complete spiritual growth through legalistic striving.

Verse 6

Paul begins his biblical defense by citing Genesis 15:6. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was justified before the Law was given, establishing faith as the original and enduring means of righteousness.

Verse 8

Quoting Genesis 12:3, Paul shows that God's promise to Abraham inherently included the Gentiles (*all nations*), demonstrating that the gospel was prophesied long before the Mosaic Law.

Verse 10

Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26. The Law demands perfect, continuous obedience; failure in even one point brings a curse. This demonstrates that seeking justification through the Law is inherently dangerous and futile for fallen humanity.

Verse 11

Paul cites Habakkuk 2:4, a foundational text for the Reformation. *The just shall live by faith* confirms that righteousness is granted through trust in God, not through the imperfect practice of the Law.

Verse 13

Christ bore the full penalty of the curse of the Law (Deuteronomy 21:23) by dying on the cross. This substitutionary atonement is the mechanism by which believers are redeemed and freed from the Law’s condemnation.

Verse 14

Christ’s death secured a twofold result: the Gentile inclusion in the Abrahamic blessing and the reception of the Holy Spirit, which is the ultimate promised gift of the new covenant.

Verse 16

Paul makes a precise linguistic argument, focusing on the singular *seed* (Gk. *sperma*). This points not to the collective physical descendants of Abraham, but specifically to Jesus Christ, the singular fulfillment of the promise.

Verse 17

The Law was given 430 years after the covenant with Abraham (Exodus 12:40). Since a later addition cannot override a confirmed covenant, the Law cannot negate God's original promise of salvation by grace.

Verse 19

Paul answers the critical question: If the promise is sufficient, why the Law? The Law was *added because of transgressions*—to restrain sin, reveal its extent, and prepare humanity for the Messiah (*the seed*).

Verse 20

This verse is notoriously difficult, but it emphasizes that the Law required a mediator (Moses), showing a separation between God and the people, whereas the promise rests solely on God's singular faithfulness.

Verse 21

Paul emphatically denies that the Law is inherently evil or opposed to God's plan. However, the Law’s deficiency is that it cannot impart life (*give life*), proving that righteousness must come through a different means (faith).

Verse 22

Scripture acts like a warden, showing that all humanity is captive to sin, thereby eliminating self-justification and directing people toward the unique solution provided by faith in Christ.

Verse 24

The Law serves as a *schoolmaster* (Gk. *paidagogos*). This was usually a trusted slave who supervised a child, leading him to the teacher. The Law’s function was restrictive and preparatory, leading humanity to Christ for justification.

Verse 26

The transition from the restrictive Law to the freedom of the New Covenant is defined by adoption. Believers are no longer supervised children but full *children of God* (or sons) through faith.

Verse 27

*Put on Christ* signifies clothing oneself with His righteousness and character. Baptism is the public declaration of this new identity and union with Christ.

Verse 28

This verse is a powerful summary of Christian unity. In Christ, social, ethnic, and gender distinctions do not determine spiritual standing or access to God's grace. All are equal heirs.

Verse 29

Being *Christ’s* (united to the singular Seed) automatically makes believers the spiritual *seed of Abraham* and therefore rightful inheritors of the covenant promises.

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Galatians3

Appeal to Experience: Faith vs. Works

Abraham Justified by Faith

The Law Cannot Nullify the Promise

The Purpose of the Law

Sons and Heirs Through Faith

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