Galatians 3

Galatians 3 explains the difference between law and faith. Paul reminds the Galatians that they began their Christian life by receiving the Spirit through faith, not by works of the law. Therefore, they should not now try to become perfect by depending on the flesh, human effort, or the old covenant way of relating to the law as the letter. The law Paul refers to here includes the whole system of the law, with both its moral and ceremonial aspects, especially when it is used as a means of obtaining righteousness before God. Paul uses Abraham as an example, showing that righteousness has always come by faith in God’s promise, not by law-keeping. The law had a purpose, but it was temporary. It revealed sin, restrained transgression, and acted as a tutor to lead people to Christ. But now that Christ has come, the tutor has done its duty. Believers are justified by faith, become sons of God by receiving the Spirit, and are counted as Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Therefore, Galatians 3 shows that we are no longer to seek righteousness through the works of the law or the oldness of the letter, but to live by faith in Christ, serving God “in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6).

Galatians 3:1–5 (NKJV)
1 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?
2 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?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 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 speaks strongly to the Galatians because they are turning away from the truth they first received. Christ crucified had been clearly presented to them, and they had received the Spirit by faith, not by the works of the law (Galatians 3:1–2). Paul asks why they would begin in the Spirit and then try to be made perfect by the flesh (Galatians 3:3). This means they were trying to grow in righteousness by human effort, external regulation, and dependence on the law. But the same way they first received Christ is the same way they must continue—by faith and by the working of the Spirit. True holiness does not come from the written code or from trying harder in the flesh, but from trusting Christ, beholding Him, abiding in Him, and allowing His Spirit to transform the heart. Paul’s point is clear: the Christian life begins by faith and must continue by faith, through the indwelling life and power of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:6–9 (NKJV)
6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
8 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.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Paul uses Abraham to show that righteousness has always been received by faith, not by works of the law. Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted to him for righteousness. This means the true children of Abraham are not only his physical descendants, but those who share his faith (Galatians 3:7). God had already promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham, showing that the gospel included the Gentiles from the beginning (Galatians 3:8). Therefore, salvation was never meant to be limited to one nation or based on Jewish identity. Those who believe in Christ are blessed with believing Abraham, receiving righteousness and inheritance by faith (Galatians 3:9).

Galatians 3:10–12 (NKJV)
10 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.”
11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

Paul explains that anyone who relies on the works of the law for justification is under a curse, because the law requires perfect and continual obedience (Galatians 3:10). If a person tries to stand righteous before God by law-keeping, one failure brings condemnation. Paul then shows from Scripture that no one is justified by the law, because “the just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). The law works on the principle of doing, while faith depends on trusting God’s promise (Galatians 3:12). Therefore, the law was never given as the way to earn salvation. It reveals sin and shows humanity’s need of Christ, but salvation comes only by faith, not by legalistic obedience or human effort.

Galatians 3:13–14 (NKJV)
13 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” —
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Paul explains that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by taking upon Himself the consequence of sin and bearing its weight on the cross (Galatians 3:13). The curse of the law is the condemnation that sin brings, because sin separates us from God and leads to death (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). Christ, though sinless, endured the cross and felt the terrible weight of sin and the withdrawal of His Father’s presence, crying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Ellen White explains that Christ could not see through the portals of the tomb and feared that sin might separate Him from the Father forever (The Desire of Ages, p. 753). Yet He remained faithful, trusting the Father fully and surrendering Himself in perfect love (Luke 22:42). Through this selfless sacrifice, Christ opened the way for the blessing of Abraham to come to the Gentiles, so that all who believe may receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14).

Galatians 3:15–16 (NKJV)
15 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.
16 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 explains that even a human covenant, once confirmed, cannot be canceled or changed (Galatians 3:15). In the same way, God’s promise to Abraham could not later be annulled by the law. Paul then shows that the promise was made to Abraham and his “Seed,” and he identifies that Seed as Christ (Galatians 3:16). This means the promise to bless all nations was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus, not through physical descent alone or through keeping the law. God’s plan of salvation was always centered on Christ and received by faith in His promise.

Galatians 3:17–18 (NKJV)
17 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.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Paul emphasizes that the law given at Mount Sinai came 430 years after God’s promise to Abraham and could not cancel or replace that promise (Galatians 3:17). The promise was based on God’s grace and faithfulness, not on works of the law. The law served another purpose: it revealed sin and pointed people to their need of a Savior. Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God, not because he kept the Mosaic law (Genesis 15:6). Therefore, the inheritance cannot depend on the law, because then it would no longer be based on promise (Galatians 3:18). God gave the inheritance to Abraham by promise, and that promise is fulfilled in Christ.

Galatians 3:19 (NKJV)
19 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 answers the question: if the promise came by faith, why was the law given? The law was added because of transgressions, meaning it revealed sin, restrained wrongdoing, and showed people their need of Christ (Galatians 3:19). It was not given as the way of salvation, but as a temporary measure until the promised Seed, Christ, would come. Paul also says the law was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator, showing the solemnity of its giving at Sinai (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:53; Hebrews 2:2). Moses acted as the mediator between God and Israel. But the promise to Abraham was direct and based on God’s own faithfulness, showing that the promise is greater than the law.

Galatians 3:20 (NKJV)
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

Paul explains that a mediator is needed when two parties are involved, as with the covenant at Sinai between God and Israel. Moses stood between God and the people, and the covenant included conditions that Israel agreed to obey. But the promise to Abraham was different. It did not depend on a mediator in the same way, because God Himself made the promise and took responsibility for fulfilling it. The statement “God is one” emphasizes that the promise came directly from God’s united purpose and faithfulness. The law involved conditions and human obedience, but the promise rests on God’s grace and is fulfilled in Christ.

Galatians 3:21–22 (NKJV)
21 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.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Paul asks whether the law is against God’s promises and answers, “Certainly not!”. The law and the promise are not enemies; they simply serve different purposes. If a law could give life, righteousness would have come through the law. But the law cannot give life. Instead, Scripture shows that all are under sin, so that the promise may be received by faith in Jesus Christ. The law reveals our need, but Christ provides the answer. Therefore, the law points us away from self-righteousness and leads us to rely on God’s promise through faith.

Galatians 3:23–25 (NKJV)
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Paul explains that before faith in Christ was fully revealed, the law acted as a guardian or tutor (Galatians 3:23–24). It exposed sin, restrained transgression, gave outward guidance, and showed people their need of Christ. The law could show what righteousness required, but it could not give life or create a new heart. Once a person comes to Christ and is justified by faith, he is no longer under the law as a condemning tutor. This connects with the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. Under the old covenant, people were governed by the letter of the law, but under the new covenant, God writes His law in the heart. Paul says believers now serve “in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6). This does not abolish God’s righteousness, but shows that obedience now flows from Christ living within by His Spirit. This is why Paul says “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6), and “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). This liberty is not freedom to sin, but freedom from condemnation, fear, self-powered obedience, and bondage to the old covenant letter.

This principle is important in daily life. A person living only by the letter may become controlled by fear over small outward details while missing the greater purpose of God’s law. For example, the law spoke about clean and unclean things, garments, food, and ceremonial defilement. If someone focuses only on technical details, he may become anxious over every small matter, even when there is no real rebellion against God. The mature believer must ask not only, “What does the letter say?” but also, “What is God’s purpose? What reveals His character? What shows love, mercy, holiness, wisdom, and faith?”

This does not mean we throw away obedience, holiness, health, or reverence for God. It means we understand the higher principle behind obedience. Some people may condemn others over food, dress, medical choices, or personal convictions while lacking patience, mercy, and compassion. Others may keep outward standards carefully but speak harshly, damage families, or discourage souls from Christ. This is not the spirit of the new covenant. Under the new covenant, Christ writes the law in the heart, so obedience flows from love, wisdom, mercy, and faith. We still honor God’s commandments, but we do not live as slaves under the condemning letter. We live as children of promise, led by the Spirit, with Christ dwelling in us. The goal is not legalistic fear, but mature righteousness—the life of Christ reproduced in the believer.

Galatians 3:26–27 (NKJV)
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

After explaining that believers are no longer under the law as a tutor, Paul now shows their new identity: they are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26). Their relationship with God is no longer based on bondage, fear, and the outward letter, but on faith, sonship, and union with Christ. Baptism represents entering into Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection—and openly identifying with Him (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3–4). To “put on Christ” means to be clothed with His life, righteousness, character, and Spirit. The believer no longer stands before God in self-righteousness or under condemnation, but in Christ.

Galatians 3:28–29 (NKJV)
28 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.
29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul shows that in Christ, old covenant and worldly distinctions do not determine a person’s standing before God. Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female still exist in practical life, but none of these gives spiritual superiority or disadvantage in salvation. All believers come to God the same way—through faith in Christ—and all are one in Him. Therefore, if we belong to Christ, we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. The inheritance is not received through the law as a system of bondage, but through faith in Christ, the promised Seed.