Galatians 3
In this chapter, Paul continues his defense of justification by faith, contrasting it with reliance on the law. He argues that the Galatians, who received the Spirit through faith, should not revert to legalism. He uses the example of Abraham and emphasizes that the law served a temporary purpose until Christ came, fulfilling the promises of God.
Galatians 3:1 (NKJV)
"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?"
Paul is astonished that the Galatians, who had once clearly understood the significance of Christ’s crucifixion, are now being deceived into thinking that they need to follow the law to be justified. He uses strong language to express his dismay, likening their turning away from the truth as being under a spell. The focus is on how Jesus' sacrifice was made evident to them, and yet they are losing sight of that essential truth.
Galatians 3:2 (NKJV)
"This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
Paul asks them to recall their own experience. They received the Holy Spirit not by keeping the Mosaic law, but by believing the gospel message. This question is meant to remind them that it was faith, not the law, that brought about their transformation and their reception of the Spirit, underscoring the futility of turning back to legalistic practices.
Galatians 3:3 (NKJV)
"Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?"
Here, Paul points out the absurdity of starting their spiritual journey by the work of the Holy Spirit and then thinking that human effort, symbolized by "the flesh," could bring them to spiritual maturity. The Galatians' reliance on outward observance of the law, after beginning with faith, makes no sense to Paul, as true sanctification comes through the Spirit, not legalistic works.
Galatians 3:4 (NKJV)
"Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?"
Paul reminds the Galatians of the persecution and hardships they had endured for their faith. If they now turn back to the law, all those sufferings will have been for nothing. He is urging them to hold fast to the truth they initially accepted, showing that turning away from the gospel of grace nullifies the purpose of their endurance in faith.
Galatians 3:5 (NKJV)
"Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
Paul continues his argument by pointing out that the powerful works of the Holy Spirit in their lives, including miracles, were not a result of keeping the law but came through their faith in Christ. He is driving home the point that God's gifts and the work of the Spirit are given on the basis of faith, not law-keeping.
Galatians 3:6 (NKJV)
"Just as Abraham 'believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.'"
Paul introduces Abraham as an example of faith. Abraham was considered righteous because of his belief in God's promise, not because of his adherence to the law (which came later). Paul is drawing a direct line from the faith of Abraham to the faith of the Galatians, showing that righteousness has always been by faith, not by works.
Galatians 3:7 (NKJV)
"Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham."
Paul emphasizes that the true descendants of Abraham are those who share his faith, not those who merely follow the law. This was a radical statement, as many Jews believed that lineage and the observance of the law were what made someone a child of Abraham. Paul refutes that idea, teaching that faith alone connects one to Abraham’s spiritual family.
Galatians 3:8 (NKJV)
"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed.'"
Paul explains that God's plan to justify the Gentiles through faith was revealed even to Abraham, long before the law was given. The promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham points to the universal nature of the gospel, showing that faith in Christ brings the blessing, not adherence to the law.
Galatians 3:9 (NKJV)
"So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham."
Paul concludes that those who have faith, like Abraham, are the ones who inherit the blessings promised to him. This blessing is not based on law-keeping but on faith, and therefore, all who believe in Christ are partakers in the blessings of the promise given to Abraham.
Galatians 3:10 (NKJV)
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.'"
Paul points out that those who rely on following the law are actually under a curse. This is because the law requires perfect obedience, and failure in one area makes one guilty of all. He quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to show that anyone who tries to live by the law will inevitably fall short and be under its curse.
Galatians 3:11 (NKJV)
"But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith.'"
Paul declares that it is clear no one can be justified by the law. He quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to show that the righteous live by faith, not by works of the law. Justification before God has always been about faith, not legal adherence, and this principle has been evident even from the Old Testament scriptures.
Galatians 3:12 (NKJV)
"Yet the law is not of faith, but 'the man who does them shall live by them.'"
Paul contrasts the law with faith. The law is based on doing—one must live by the rules and regulations to be justified. However, this stands in contrast to faith, which is about trusting in God's promise. The law's requirement for perfect obedience makes it impossible for anyone to attain righteousness through it.
Galatians 3:13 (NKJV)
"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')."
Paul explains that Christ took the curse of the law upon Himself when He was crucified, referencing Deuteronomy 21:23. By hanging on the cross, Christ became the curse for us, thereby redeeming us from the curse that the law brings upon those who cannot keep it perfectly. This act of substitution brings freedom from the law’s condemnation.
Galatians 3:14 (NKJV)
"That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Christ’s death not only freed believers from the curse of the law but also made it possible for the blessing promised to Abraham to extend to the Gentiles. This blessing is received through faith in Christ, allowing both Jews and Gentiles to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit, which was foretold in the scriptures.
Galatians 3:15 (NKJV)
"Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it."
Paul uses a human analogy to explain that even in everyday life, once a covenant or agreement is confirmed, no one can change it. He uses this to show that God's covenant with Abraham, once established, cannot be altered or replaced by the later introduction of the law, meaning that the promise stands firm.
Galatians 3:16 (NKJV)
"Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ."
Paul highlights that the promises made to Abraham were directed to his "Seed," which he clarifies as referring to one person, Christ. This emphasizes that the promise was ultimately about Christ, and through Him, all nations would be blessed, fulfilling the covenant God made with Abraham.
Galatians 3:17 (NKJV)
"And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect."
Paul argues that the law, given 430 years after God made His covenant with Abraham, cannot invalidate or replace the promise made to him. The law was a temporary measure and does not override the earlier promise of justification through faith. The promise remains primary and is not superseded by the law.
Galatians 3:18 (NKJV)
"For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise."
Paul makes the point that if the inheritance—the blessing promised to Abraham—was based on law-keeping, then it would no longer be based on God’s promise. However, the scripture makes it clear that God gave the inheritance to Abraham as a promise, and it was not contingent on the law.
Galatians 3:19 (NKJV)
"What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator."
Paul explains the purpose of the law. It was given to address human sinfulness and to serve as a guide until the promised Seed, Christ, would come. The law was temporary and served to highlight transgressions, showing humanity’s need for a Savior. It was delivered through angels and mediated by Moses, making it distinct from the promise.
Galatians 3:20 (NKJV)
"Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one."
Paul points out that a mediator implies more than one party, showing that the law, given through a mediator (Moses), was an agreement between two parties—God and Israel. However, the promise to Abraham was given directly by God, emphasizing the unity and sovereignty of God in fulfilling His promise without mediation.
Galatians 3:21 (NKJV)
"Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law."
Paul clarifies that the law is not in opposition to God’s promises. The problem is that no law could give life or impart righteousness. If that had been possible, then the law would have been sufficient. However, the law was never meant to give life but to point people to their need for faith in Christ.
Galatians 3:22 (NKJV)
"But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
The scripture declares that all are under the power of sin, making it impossible to attain righteousness through the law. This universal guilt serves the purpose of leading people to Christ, where the promise of justification through faith is available to all who believe. The law, in this sense, points to the need for salvation by faith.
Galatians 3:23 (NKJV)
"But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed."
Paul likens the law to a guardian or jailer that kept people in check until Christ came and faith was fully revealed. The law had a protective function, preventing chaos and leading people to a knowledge of sin, but it was always intended to be temporary until the arrival of faith in Christ.
Galatians 3:24 (NKJV)
"Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
The law acted as a tutor, guiding people to Christ by showing them their inability to fulfill its demands and their need for a Savior. The ultimate purpose of the law was to lead people to the point where they could be justified by faith, not by their own works or efforts to keep the law.
Galatians 3:25 (NKJV)
"But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."
Once faith in Christ arrived, the law’s role as a tutor or guide came to an end. Believers no longer need the law to lead them because they now live by faith in Christ. This signifies a transition from the age of the law to the age of faith, where the law’s authority is no longer the means of justification.
Galatians 3:26 (NKJV)
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
Paul declares that all believers are sons of God through faith in Christ. This adoption into God’s family is not based on lineage, ethnicity, or adherence to the law but is given to all who have faith in Jesus. This underscores the equality and unity of all believers in Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (NKJV)
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
Baptism signifies the believer’s union with Christ, symbolizing the putting on of Christ’s righteousness. Through baptism, believers identify with Christ’s death and resurrection, and as a result, they now live in a new identity, clothed in Christ’s righteousness, rather than their own efforts to keep the law.
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Paul stresses that in Christ, all human distinctions that once divided people are dissolved. Whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, all believers are united and equal in Christ. This profound unity underlines the inclusivity of the gospel and the shared identity of all who belong to Christ.
Galatians 3:29 (NKJV)
"And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Paul concludes by reaffirming that all who belong to Christ are Abraham’s spiritual descendants and therefore heirs to the promises God made to him. This inheritance is not based on physical descent or adherence to the law but comes through faith in Christ, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him.