Introduction

Galatians 3 is Paul's theological masterpiece in this letter. He appeals to experience, Scripture, and logic to prove that righteousness comes by faith, not by Law. Abraham is the model; Christ has redeemed us from the curse.

Appeal to Experience (verses 1-5)

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. Paul would like to learn just one thing from them: Did they receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by believing what they heard? Are they so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are they now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have they experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again: does God give them His Spirit and work miracles among them by the works of the Law, or by their believing what they heard?

• Bewitched: Something has deceived them
• Spirit by Faith: They received the Spirit through believing
• Foolish Reversal: Beginning in Spirit, finishing in flesh?

Abraham's Faith (verses 6-14)

So also Abraham "believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one who relies on the Law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith." The Law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person 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 pole." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

• Children of Abraham: Those who have faith are his true children
• Curse of the Law: No one can do everything the Law requires
• Christ Became Curse: He took the curse so we could receive blessing

The Law and the Promise (verses 15-29)

Paul speaks in human terms: no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed—not seeds, plural, but seed, meaning Christ. What Paul means is this: the Law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in His grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Why, then, was the Law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the Law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the Law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Key Takeaways

• Faith Receives: Spirit and blessing come through believing
• Christ Redeems: He became a curse to free us from the Law's curse
• Law as Guardian: It held us until Christ came
• All One in Christ: Divisions are overcome in Him

Reflection Questions

• Have you tried to "finish in the flesh" what the Spirit began?
• How does knowing Christ became a curse for you affect your gratitude?
• What does it mean that you are Abraham's seed and an heir of the promise?