Galatians 3
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 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.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 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.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 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.” 14 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.
15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean 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. 18 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.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23 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. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3 Meaning
The verses in Galatians 3 address the topic of salvation by grace through faith. In these verses, the Apostle Paul encourages the Galatian believers to rely on faith in Christ rather than on their own efforts to earn salvation. He emphasizes that it is through faith in Jesus that we are justified and receive the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 3 Commentary and Explanation
In Galatians 3, the Apostle Paul addresses a crucial theological issue that is still relevant to us today. He begins by reminding us that faith, not the works of the law, justifies us before God. We are saved through faith in Christ alone, not through our own efforts or adherence to religious rituals. This fundamental truth is not limited to the Galatian believers but applies to all of us who have put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul underscores this point by referencing the example of Abraham. He reminds us that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), long before the law was given to Moses. In this way, Paul demonstrates that faith has always been the means of justification, even in the Old Testament.
Furthermore, Paul emphasizes the universality of faith. He tells us that in Christ Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28). This verse teaches us that salvation is available to all people, regardless of their background or social status. We are all one in Christ Jesus, and our faith unites us as part of the body of Christ.
Paul then delves into the purpose of the law. He explains that the law was given to serve as a tutor or guardian until the coming of Christ. Its role was to reveal our need for a Savior by highlighting our sinfulness. However, now that Christ has come, we are no longer under the custody of the law. Instead, we are justified by faith in Him. This echoes Romans 7:6, where Paul says that we have been released from the law’s grip to serve in the new way of the Spirit.
Another significant point in this chapter is the promise to Abraham and his seed. Paul tells us that the promise was not made to “seeds” in the plural but to “seed” in the singular, referring to Christ (Galatians 3:16). This promise highlights the centrality of Christ in God’s plan of salvation and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant through Him. It also reinforces the idea that faith in Christ is the key to inheriting the promises of God.
Finally, Paul concludes by explaining that the law served as a guardian until faith came. Now, we are no longer bound by the law’s restrictions but are free in Christ. This freedom does not mean we have a license to sin but empowers us to live a life led by the Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Galatians 3 underscores the foundational truth that we are justified by faith in Christ alone. This faith transcends cultural and social boundaries, making all believers one in Christ. The law’s purpose was to lead us to Christ, and now, as we walk in the Spirit, we are no longer under its guardianship. Our focus should be on living by faith and walking in the freedom and unity that Christ has provided for us.
Also Read: 1 Kings 19 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Galatians 3
The book of Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia, a region in modern-day Turkey. Paul wrote this letter to address a dangerous teaching that was gaining influence among the Galatian believers. Some Jewish Christians were insisting that Gentile believers needed to follow the Jewish law, including circumcision, in order to be truly saved.
In response, Paul passionately defends the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. He argues that a person is justified before God not by observing the law, but by placing their faith in Jesus, who fulfilled the law on their behalf. Paul strongly denounces the legalistic teaching and warns the Galatians of the dangers of trying to earn salvation through their own efforts.
Bible Study on Galatians 3
These verses in Galatians 3 are rich in theological significance. They highlight the importance of faith in Christ as the means of our salvation and the basis of our relationship with God. As we study these verses, we can gain a deeper understanding of the free gift of grace and the implications it has for our lives.
It is clear from the text that the Galatians were being tempted to trust in their own efforts to obey the law as a means of salvation. However, Paul vehemently opposes this teaching, urging them to return to the truth that salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
We see in verse 8 that God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The blessing of salvation is now available to both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Him. This truth is of great significance, as it further emphasizes the unity and equality of all believers in Christ.
In verse 13, Paul highlights the powerful act of redemption that Christ accomplished on the cross. By becoming a curse for us, He took upon Himself the penalty of our sin and removed the curse of the law that was upon us. This act of redemption demonstrates the depth of God’s love for us and the lengths He was willing to go to reconcile us to Himself.
Moreover, the Holy Spirit is mentioned as a key aspect of our salvation in verse 14. Through faith in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us and helps us live out our new life in Christ. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a powerful reality that gives us comfort, guidance, and assurance of our eternal salvation.
Final Thoughts
These verses in Galatians 3 serve as a reminder and a warning to us today. We are constantly tempted to rely on our own efforts, works, or religious rituals for our salvation or spiritual growth. However, Paul’s message is clear: our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
As Christians, we must guard against any form of legalism or self-righteousness that can taint our understanding of salvation. It is vital that we continue to place our trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Our relationship with God is not based on our works or performance, but on our faith in Him.
Let us remember the example of Abraham, who believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Like him, may we have unwavering faith in God’s promises, knowing that our righteousness is not achieved through our own efforts, but through our faith in Jesus Christ.
May these verses in Galatians 3 serve as a constant reminder to live a life of faith, depending fully on God’s grace and mercy. May they inspire us to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus, relying on His strength, guidance, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.