Galatians 3:13

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Galatians 3:13 profoundly declares the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, asserting that He has liberated believers from the spiritual condemnation inherent in the Mosaic Law. By willingly taking upon Himself the curse due to humanity, Christ absorbed the full weight of divine judgment, thereby providing a complete and perfect atonement that frees all who believe from the impossible demands and resulting condemnation of the Law, establishing a new covenant based on faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 3:13 is a pivotal statement within Paul's impassioned defense of justification by faith against the Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul opens the chapter by challenging the Galatians' spiritual inconsistency, reminding them that they received the Spirit by faith, not by works of the Law ([Galatians 3:2](/galatians/3-2 "Galatians 3:2 - Receiving the Spirit by Faith")). He then grounds his argument in the Old Testament, citing Abraham's faith being counted as righteousness ([Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Galatians 3:6 - Abraham's Righteousness by Faith")) and contrasting it with the Law's inability to justify. In [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - The Curse of the Law"), Paul states that all who rely on the Law are under a curse because no one can perfectly fulfill its demands. Verse 13 then presents Christ as the divine solution to this curse, immediately followed by the declaration that this redemption allows the blessing of Abraham to come to the Gentiles through Christ, and for believers to receive the promise of the Spirit through faith ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham and the Promise of the Spirit")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the early church, grappling with the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers. Judaizers, likely Jewish Christians, were traveling to Gentile churches (like those in Galatia) and teaching that Gentiles needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved or fully Christian. This teaching undermined the sufficiency of Christ's work and created a two-tiered Christianity. Paul's letter directly confronts this theological crisis. The concept of "curse" was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, stemming from the covenant curses outlined in the Torah (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The specific reference to hanging on a tree in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - One Hanged on a Tree is Cursed by God") carried immense cultural weight, signifying extreme disgrace and divine malediction, making Christ's death on a cross (a tree) a profound and scandalous act in the eyes of many.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological themes. The primary theme is **Redemption**, emphasizing that Christ's act was a "buying back" or liberation from a state of spiritual bondage and condemnation under the Law. This ties directly into the theme of **Justification by Faith**, as redemption through Christ's sacrifice removes the need for human effort to earn righteousness, making salvation solely a gift received through belief. Central to this is **Substitutionary Atonement**, where Christ "being made a curse for us" means He took humanity's deserved penalty upon Himself, becoming the object of divine wrath so that believers might be reconciled to God. Finally, the verse highlights the **Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy and Law**, demonstrating how Christ's death on the cross, though seemingly a sign of shame, was in fact the ultimate fulfillment of the Law's demands and prophecies, transforming a symbol of a curse into the means of blessing, as foreshadowed in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Law Regarding Hanged Criminals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **redeemed (Greek, _exagorázō'_):** This verb, composed of _ek_ ("out of") and _agorázō_ ("to buy in the marketplace"), literally means "to buy out" or "to buy up." In a legal or commercial sense, it refers to the act of purchasing a slave's freedom or buying something back from a disadvantageous situation. Here, it signifies Christ's act of paying a price (His life) to liberate humanity from the bondage and condemnation of the Law's curse, rescuing us from a state of spiritual indebtedness and loss.
* **curse (Greek, _katára'_):** Derived from _katá_ (intensive) and _ará_ ("imprecation"), this noun denotes a severe divine condemnation, an execration, or a malediction. It signifies the state of being under God's judgment and disfavor, particularly as pronounced upon those who fail to uphold the Law. Paul's radical statement that Christ was "made a curse" for us means Jesus Himself became the object of this divine judgment, fully identifying with humanity's condemned state.
* **tree (Greek, _xýlon'_):** While literally meaning "timber," "wood," or "a stick," in this context, _xýlon_ specifically refers to the cross or gallows upon which someone was executed and displayed. By quoting [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is He Who Hangs on a Tree"), Paul intentionally links Christ's crucifixion to the Old Testament concept of public shame and divine curse associated with being hanged on a tree, underscoring the profound nature of Christ's substitutionary death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,"**: This opening clause declares the profound act of liberation performed by Jesus Christ. The term "redeemed" (exagorázō) implies a purchase or a buying back from a state of bondage. Here, the bondage is to "the curse of the law," which refers to the divine condemnation and judgment that falls upon anyone who fails to perfectly obey the Mosaic Law ([Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - The Law's Curse")). Since no one can perfectly keep the Law, all humanity stood condemned. Christ's act of redemption frees believers from this inescapable condemnation, not by abolishing the Law's demands, but by fulfilling them on our behalf.
* **"being made a curse for us:"**: This is the theological core of the verse, articulating the doctrine of substitutionary atonement. Christ, who was sinless, voluntarily took upon Himself the very curse that was due to humanity. He did not merely remove the curse, but He became the object of God's righteous wrath against sin, identifying with our condemned state. This radical act means that the divine judgment against human sin was fully absorbed by Christ, allowing believers to be declared righteous in God's sight. His sacrifice was "for us," meaning on our behalf and in our place.
* **"for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"**: Paul substantiates his theological claim by quoting from [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - The Law Regarding Hanged Criminals"). This Old Testament passage declared that anyone executed and publicly displayed on a tree (a gallows or stake) was considered accursed by God, a sign of extreme disgrace and divine judgment. By quoting this, Paul highlights the scandalous nature of Christ's death on the cross ("a tree"). Far from being a defeat, Christ's death on the cross was the precise means by which He fulfilled the Law's curse, demonstrating that He truly bore the full weight of humanity's sin and condemnation, thereby transforming the symbol of a curse into the instrument of salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Galatians 3:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Allusion**, as Paul directly alludes to and quotes [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is He Who Hangs on a Tree"), thereby grounding his New Testament teaching in Old Testament scripture and demonstrating the continuity of God's redemptive plan. This also functions as an **Argument from Scripture**, lending authoritative weight to his claim. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Substitution** (or vicarious atonement) as a central concept, where Christ is literally "made a curse for us," emphasizing His taking our place. There is also an element of **Paradox** in the statement: the sinless Christ became "a curse," a concept that seems contradictory yet is essential to the Gospel, as His becoming cursed is precisely what brings blessing to those who believe. The stark contrast between "redeemed from the curse" and "being made a curse" creates a powerful **Antithesis**, highlighting the radical nature of Christ's work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:13 stands as a cornerstone of Christian soteriology, revealing the profound depth of God's love and the radical nature of Christ's atoning work. It underscores that salvation is not earned through human effort or adherence to legalistic codes, but is a free gift received by faith in Christ's finished work. This verse dismantles any notion of self-righteousness, asserting that humanity's inherent inability to perfectly keep the Law places everyone under its curse. Christ's willingness to become that curse in our place demonstrates the ultimate act of divine grace and justice, satisfying the righteous demands of God while simultaneously extending mercy to the unrighteous. This redemption frees believers not only from the penalty of sin but also from the futile striving to earn God's favor, ushering them into a life of freedom and Spirit-empowered living.

* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")
* [Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ")
* [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and the Abolition of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:13 offers profound liberation and assurance for every believer. It means that the heavy burden of trying to earn God's favor through perfect obedience to a set of rules has been lifted. We are no longer under the impossible standard of the Law, which inevitably leads to condemnation, but rather under the boundless grace of God. This truth should fill us with immense peace and gratitude, knowing that our standing before God is not based on our flawed performance but on Christ's perfect, completed work on the cross. This freedom empowers us to live not out of fear of punishment or a desire to earn salvation, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has already accomplished. It calls us to cease from self-effort and rest in His sufficiency, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out, leading us to live lives that genuinely honor God, not out of legalistic obligation, but out of joyful response to His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ as "made a curse for us" deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?**
* **In what areas of your life might you still be subtly trying to earn God's favor, rather than resting in the freedom Christ has provided?**
* **How does the truth of being "redeemed from the curse of the law" impact your assurance of salvation and your daily walk with God?**
* **What practical implications does this verse have for how you view legalism versus grace in your own life and in the church?**

### FAQ

**What does "the curse of the law" refer to?**

Answer: "The curse of the law" refers to the divine condemnation and judgment pronounced upon anyone who fails to perfectly keep all the commandments of the Mosaic Law. As [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - The Curse for Not Keeping the Law") states, "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." Since no human being can perfectly fulfill every single command, all humanity is inherently under this curse, facing God's righteous wrath for their disobedience.

**How could Christ, being sinless, be "made a curse"?**

Answer: Christ, being perfectly sinless and righteous, was not inherently under any curse. However, He willingly and vicariously took upon Himself the curse that was due to humanity. This is the essence of substitutionary atonement. He became the object of God's righteous judgment against sin, experiencing the full weight of divine wrath on the cross, so that those who believe in Him would not have to. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us") explains, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." He was "made a curse" not because of His own sin, but because He bore our sins and their corresponding penalty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:13 stands as a profound declaration of Christ's ultimate fulfillment of the Law and His role as the unique Redeemer. The Old Testament Law, while holy and good, served to reveal sin and bring humanity under a curse because no one could perfectly fulfill its demands ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus Christ, as the perfect Lamb of God, entered human history not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it in its entirety, both by His perfect obedience and by becoming the final, once-for-all sacrifice for sin ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). His death on the cross, a "tree" that symbolized a divine curse according to [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Cursed is He Who Hangs on a Tree"), was not a sign of His own condemnation but the ultimate act of substitutionary atonement. By being "made a curse for us," Christ absorbed the full wrath of God against sin, thereby redeeming us from the Law's condemnation and opening the way for us to receive the blessing of Abraham—righteousness by faith and the indwelling Spirit ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham and the Promise of the Spirit")). Thus, Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")), establishing a new covenant grounded in His perfect sacrifice and resurrection, offering complete freedom and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

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

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;