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 hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

This only would I learn of 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 made perfect by the flesh?

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

He 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?

Abraham Justified by Faith

¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And 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.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For 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.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ 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:

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; 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 if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Now 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.

And 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.

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

The Purpose of the Law

¶ Wherefore 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.

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 have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

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

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Sons and Heirs Through Faith

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There 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.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye 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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