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 has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?

Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?

Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

Abraham Justified by Faith

So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Law Cannot Nullify the Promise

Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.

What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

The Purpose of the Law

Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons and Heirs Through Faith

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the 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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