Galatians 3:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} as many as {G3745} are {G1526} of {G1537} the works {G2041} of the law {G3551} are {G1526} under {G5259} the curse {G2671}: for {G1063} it is written {G1125}, Cursed {G1944} is every one {G3956} that {G3739} continueth {G1696} not {G3756} in {G1722} all things {G3956} which {G3588} are written {G1125} in {G1722} the book {G975} of the law {G3551} to do {G4160} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For everyone who depends on legalistic observance of Torah commands lives under a curse, since it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the Scroll of the Torah.”

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 3:10 profoundly articulates the perilous state of those who seek righteousness through adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul asserts that anyone who attempts to gain salvation by perfectly fulfilling the Law's demands inevitably falls under a divine curse, because no human, in their fallen state, can continuously and completely obey all its precepts. This verse serves as a crucial foundation for Paul's argument that salvation is not achieved by human effort or legalistic observance, but solely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture in Paul's impassioned defense of justification by faith against the "Judaizers" in Galatia, who insisted that Gentile Christians must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul has just established the precedent of Abraham, who was justified by faith, not by works of the law, as recorded in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Genesis 15:6 - Abraham's Faith Account"). Galatians 3:6-9 highlights that those who are of faith are the true children of Abraham. Immediately following this, Paul presents the stark antithesis: if justification is not by faith, then it must be by works, which, he argues in Galatians 3:10, leads only to a curse. This sets up his subsequent explanation in [Galatians 3:11-12](/galatians/3-11-12 "Galatians 3:11-12 - The Righteous Live by Faith") that no one is justified by the Law, and then his triumphant declaration in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse") that Christ has redeemed us from this very curse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia (likely South Galatia, visited by Paul on his first missionary journey) were facing a severe theological crisis. Jewish Christians, often called Judaizers, were infiltrating these congregations, teaching that salvation required not only faith in Christ but also adherence to specific aspects of the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. This teaching undermined the core of the gospel—salvation by grace through faith alone—and threatened to enslave Gentile believers to a system from which Christ had liberated them. The Law, specifically the Torah, was revered by Jews as God's divine revelation and the path to righteousness. Paul's argument in Galatians 3:10 directly confronts this deeply ingrained cultural and religious understanding, demonstrating that the Law, when pursued as a means of justification, reveals humanity's failure rather than providing a pathway to God's favor.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 3:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the letter. It underscores **The Inability of the Law to Justify**, asserting that instead of bringing life, the Law brings condemnation when used as a means of righteousness. This leads directly to the theme of **The Curse of the Law**, highlighting that perfect and continuous obedience is impossible for fallen humanity, thus placing all who rely on it under a divine curse. By exposing the futility of legalism, the verse implicitly champions **Justification by Faith Alone**, a central tenet of Paul's theology, emphasizing that God's grace, received through faith in Christ, is the only means of salvation. This also reinforces the theme of **Human Sinfulness and Need for Redemption**, as the Law's impossible standard reveals the depth of human inadequacy and the desperate need for a Savior, acting as a "guardian" or "schoolmaster" leading to Christ, as explained in [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **works (Greek, _érgon_):** From G2041, meaning "toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act." In this context, "works of the law" refers to human efforts to obey the Mosaic Law, particularly its ceremonial and moral commandments, as a means of earning God's favor or achieving righteousness. Paul consistently argues against the idea that such human striving can lead to justification before God.
* **law (Greek, _nómos_):** From G3551, referring to "law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)." Here, it specifically denotes the Mosaic Law, the covenant given through Moses to Israel, encompassing its moral, ceremonial, and civil statutes. Paul's point is not that the Law itself is bad, but that its purpose was never to provide a means of justification for sinful humanity.
* **curse (Greek, _katára_):** From G2671, meaning "imprecation, execration." This term signifies a divine pronouncement of condemnation, judgment, or separation from God's blessing. It is the antithesis of blessing and implies divine disfavor and the consequences of disobedience.
* **continueth (Greek, _emménō_):** From G1696, meaning "to stay in the same place, i.c. (figuratively) persevere." This word highlights the Law's demand for *continuous* and *unwavering* obedience. The curse falls on anyone who fails to persevere in *all* things written in the Law, emphasizing the absolute and impossible standard it sets for fallen humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:"** Paul begins by stating a universal principle. Anyone who bases their standing before God on their performance of the Law's requirements inevitably finds themselves under a divine curse. This is because the Law, by its very nature, demands perfect and continuous obedience, a standard no human can meet. To "be of the works of the law" means to derive one's righteousness or hope of salvation from one's own efforts to obey the Law.
* **"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."** Paul substantiates his claim by directly quoting [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - The Curse of Disobedience"), demonstrating that the Old Testament itself supports his assertion. The phrase "continueth not in all things" is crucial, emphasizing the Law's holistic demand. It's not enough to obey most of the Law; failure in even one point, or a lack of continuous, perfect adherence to *all* its commands, brings the curse. The "book of the law" refers to the Torah, the Pentateuch, containing the entirety of God's commands given through Moses. This quotation serves as irrefutable proof from the very source the Judaizers revered, turning their own argument against them.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in Galatians 3:10. The most prominent is **Quotation**, as he directly cites [Deuteronomy 27:26](/deuteronomy/27-26 "Deuteronomy 27:26 - The Curse of Disobedience") to lend irrefutable authority to his argument. This use of Scripture against the legalists highlights the internal consistency of God's revelation and demonstrates that the Law itself pronounces the curse on those who fail to keep it perfectly. He also uses **Antithesis**, setting up a sharp contrast between "works of the law" and the implied alternative of "faith." While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire context of Galatians establishes this fundamental opposition, showing that one leads to a curse, the other to blessing and justification. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** or **Absolute Language** in "all things," emphasizing the impossible standard of the Law. This absolute demand underscores humanity's inherent inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort, thereby magnifying the necessity of divine grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:10 is a cornerstone for understanding the fundamental difference between legalism and grace. It reveals that the Law's purpose was never to provide a pathway to salvation for fallen humanity, but rather to expose sin and demonstrate humanity's utter inability to meet God's perfect standard. By demanding continuous and complete obedience to "all things," the Law inevitably brings a curse upon anyone who attempts to live by it, because no one can perfectly fulfill its requirements. This theological truth underscores the necessity of a different path to righteousness—one provided by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who alone perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore its curse on our behalf.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the Law Comes Knowledge of Sin")
* [James 2:10](/james/2-10 "James 2:10 - Breaking One Commandment")
* [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law Cannot Make Perfect")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:10 serves as a profound warning and a liberating truth for believers today. It confronts the pervasive human tendency to rely on self-effort, good deeds, or religious rituals for acceptance before God. The verse unequivocally states that any attempt to earn salvation or divine favor through "works of the law"—whether it's adherence to a moral code, church attendance, or acts of charity—will ultimately lead to condemnation, not blessing. This is because God's standard is perfect, continuous obedience, which we, in our fallen state, cannot achieve. Understanding this truth fosters deep humility, shattering any illusion of self-righteousness and driving us to recognize our complete dependence on God's grace. It liberates us from the exhausting burden of trying to prove ourselves worthy and allows us to rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing that our standing with God is secured not by our performance, but by His perfect sacrifice and our faith in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly relying on my own efforts or "works" to earn God's favor, rather than resting in His grace?**
* **How does the truth that the Law brings a curse, rather than salvation, deepen my appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to live more fully in the freedom of grace, rather than the burden of legalism?**

### FAQ
**What does "works of the law" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: In Galatians, "works of the law" (Greek: _ergōn nomou_) refers to the various commandments and requirements of the Mosaic Law, including ceremonial practices like circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance, as well as moral precepts. Paul's argument is that attempting to fulfill these commands as a means of achieving righteousness or salvation, rather than as a response to God's grace, is futile and places one under a curse. He distinguishes this from genuine, Spirit-led obedience that flows from a transformed heart, which is a fruit of salvation, not its cause. The problem isn't the Law itself, which is holy and good ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")), but humanity's inability to perfectly keep it and the misguided attempt to use it as a ladder to heaven.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:10, by declaring that "as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse," powerfully sets the stage for the glorious truth of Christ's redemptive work. The verse highlights humanity's desperate predicament: trapped under the Law's impossible demands and its consequent curse. This curse, pronounced by the Law itself, is precisely what Jesus Christ came to abolish. As Paul triumphantly declares in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse"), "Christ has 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.'" Jesus, the sinless Son of God, perfectly fulfilled all the Law's demands that we could not, and then, in His crucifixion, willingly became the object of the Law's curse, bearing the full weight of divine judgment against sin. His substitutionary death on the cross is the ultimate act of obedience and the complete satisfaction of the Law's demands, thereby liberating all who believe from its condemnation. Through faith in Him, believers are no longer "under the curse" but are declared righteous, receiving the blessing of Abraham—the promise of the Spirit—because Christ bore our curse and fulfilled the Law on our behalf ([Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 27:26

Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Romans 3:20

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

James 2:9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

James 2:11

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Jeremiah 11:3

And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed [be] the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,