Galatians 3:13

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:

Christ {G5547} hath redeemed {G1805} us {G2248} from {G1537} the curse {G2671} of the law {G3551}, being made {G1096} a curse {G2671} for {G5228} us {G2257}: for {G1063} it is written {G1125}, Cursed {G1944} is every one {G3956} that hangeth {G2910} on {G1909} a tree {G3586}:

The Messiah redeemed us from the curse pronounced in the Torah by becoming cursed on our behalf; for the Tanakh says, “Everyone who hangs from a stake comes under a curse.”

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.”

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:

Commentary

Galatians 3:13 is a powerful declaration of the profound work of Jesus Christ, explaining how believers are set free from the condemnation of the Mosaic Law.

Context

In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul is vehemently defending the doctrine of justification by faith alone, countering false teachers (Judaizers) who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul argues that salvation has always been by faith, even for Abraham (Galatians 3:6). He explains that the Law was given to reveal sin and lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24), but it could not provide righteousness. Indeed, those who sought to be justified by the Law were under its curse because no one could perfectly keep it (Galatians 3:10). Verse 13 then reveals God's solution to this dilemma.

Key Themes

  • Redemption from the Law's Curse: The core message is that Christ has "redeemed us." This redemption implies a buying back or liberation from a state of bondage. In this case, the bondage was to the "curse of the law," which meant divine condemnation for failing to perfectly obey its every command. Through Christ, believers are no longer subject to this condemnation.
  • Christ's Substitutionary Atonement: The phrase "being made a curse for us" is central to understanding the doctrine of atonement. Jesus, who was without sin, voluntarily took upon Himself the penalty and condemnation that humanity deserved. He became the object of God's wrath against sin, so that we might be reconciled to God. This substitutionary act is the basis for our freedom. For further reading on this concept, see 2 Corinthians 5:21.
  • Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy: Paul reinforces his argument by quoting from the Old Testament: "for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." This refers to Deuteronomy 21:23, which declared that anyone executed and publicly displayed on a tree (a gallows or stake) was considered accursed by God. By dying on a cross (a tree), Jesus not only fulfilled this prophecy but also symbolically bore the curse that was due to us, visibly demonstrating the extent of His sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Redeemed" (Greek: exagorazo): This term literally means "to buy out of the marketplace." It implies a transaction where a price is paid to release someone from slavery or a debt. Here, Christ's blood is the price paid to free us from the slavery to sin and the curse of the law.
  • "Curse" (Greek: katara): This word denotes a state of divine condemnation or malediction, a severe judgment from God. Paul emphasizes that Christ became this very curse, identifying with our condemned state so we could be justified.

Practical Application

Galatians 3:13 has profound implications for every believer. It means that:

  • Freedom from Condemnation: We are no longer under the burden of trying to earn God's favor through perfect obedience to the law. Christ has freed us from that impossible task and its accompanying condemnation. As Romans 8:1 declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."
  • Assurance of Salvation: Our salvation rests not on our performance but on Christ's finished work. This provides immense peace and assurance that God's grace is sufficient.
  • Life by Faith: Because we are redeemed from the law's curse, our lives are now lived by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20), empowered by the Holy Spirit, not by legalistic striving.

This verse is a cornerstone of Christian theology, highlighting the depth of God's love and the completeness of Christ's sacrifice in setting us truly free.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Deuteronomy 21:23

    His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

  • Hebrews 9:12

    Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

  • Hebrews 9:15

    ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;

  • 1 Peter 1:21

    Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;