Free Bible Commentary
“Galatians 3:10-14”
Categories: Galatians“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.’ Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, ‘The righteous man shall live by faith.’ However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, He who practices them shall live by them.’ Christ 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’ — in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
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In today’s verses, Paul quotes several verses from the old law to demonstrate that no one can be justified by that law. Deuteronomy 27:26 was quoted to show that the law only “curses” people who do not abide in “all” the things written in it (verse 10). As we’ve noted before, once you’ve broken one law in “the book of the law” you are guilty of the whole law and condemned by it (James 2:10). The law only condemns and cannot save. That’s why God had planned from eternity to send Jesus into the world as the Savior that every single person needs (Ephesians 3:11).
God has always has, and will always, save people by their obedient faith in Him, and not by a system of law-keeping (verse 11). Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4 to show that the very law the Galatians were reverting to confirmed the truth that “The righteous man shall live by faith,” and not by “the works of the Law”. Leviticus 18:5 was quoted to show that only “he who practices” the laws of God perfectly “shall live by them” eternally, if he is seeking justification by the law and not by faith in God (verse 12).
So, anyone who attempts to be saved, redeemed, justified, proclaimed righteous by keeping God’s law will only be frustrated, lost and cursed, because only by perfect law-keeping can a person achieve that goal. But “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us (verse 13). We still have to keep God’s laws and we will be condemned if we do not try. But, since we will all fall short of keeping them perfectly, we need God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness that He extends to us through faith in His Son Jesus.
“He who is hanged on a tree is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus assumed the curse of God for us when he was crucified on Calvary’s “tree”. When He died for our sins, he “became sin for us.” “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus, who committed no sins, paid the penalty that we deserve for our own sins, so that we can live eternally by His sacrifice and blood, and by our obedient faith in Him.
It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, American, Mexican, German, Russian, Venezuelan, black, brown, tan, white, old, young, middle-aged, male, female. All that matters is that you “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (verse 14). Then you will have “the blessings of Abraham” that are given only “in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).
Please read Galatians 3:15-18 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
-Louie Taylor
