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The Book of

Galatians 3

Paul’s story is told. Now the argument: how did you receive the Spirit, and who are Abraham’s true children?

29 verses≈ 5 min1 personBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1:1–10No other gospelGrace, not a different message
  2. 1:11–2Paul's storyA gospel from God, not from men
  3. 3–4Faith, not lawSons of Abraham through faithChapter 3
  4. 5–6Free in ChristWalk by the Spirit, serve in love

Faith and Belief

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?

Galatians 3:1

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I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

Paul’s questions

Who bewitchedyou?Christ “portrayed ascrucified”How did itstart?“by hearing withfaith”How will itend?Spirit, then flesh?All fornothing?“suffered so much”Why themiracles?“because you hear andbelieve”Faith, not lawGod’s gift from firstto last

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Paul doesn’t argue first; he asks. Each question points the Galatians back to what they saw and lived. They received the Spirit “by hearing with faith,” not by keeping the law. God worked miracles among them for the same reason. So why would they now try to finish by their own effort what God began?

So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

those who have faith are sons of Abraham

Galatians 3:7

The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

A lone, old, bare tree on a hilltop against dark storm clouds that are breaking open into light.

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.”

0:09

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The curse and the blessing

redeemed usUnder a curserelying on “works ofthe law”No onejustified“by the law” (3:11)Christ became acurse“for us” (3:13)Abraham’sblessingcomes “to theGentiles”The Spiritpromisedreceived “by faith”(3:14)

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Down, then up. The law can only curse those who fail to keep all of it, and no one is justified by it. Then Christ steps into the curse in our place: He “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Out of the cross comes the blessing promised to Abraham, and the Spirit, received “by faith.”

Reflect

Started by faith

Paul asks, “After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?” Think about how you first came to trust Christ. Is there a rule, habit or achievement you now lean on to feel accepted by God? Write it down, and beside it write: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law.”

The Purpose of the Law

Paul

Someone might ask

Why then was the law given?

Paul

It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

Someone might ask

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God?

Paul

Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Question

Quick question

Paul uses an everyday picture from a family household to explain what the law was for.

What does Paul say the law became for us?

Sons through Faith in Christ

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

you are all one in Christ Jesus

Galatians 3:28

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

Pray

Sons and heirs

Thank God for who you are in Christ: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Then pray for one believer who is very different from you, in background, age or life, and thank God that “you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

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Galatians 3

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A verse to carry with you

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26

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