Gal 3:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 3:1-5: 3:1–5:12 Paul now defends the truth of his message—that right relationship with God comes by faith in Christ alone—and proves the fallacy of the message that Gentiles must keep the law in order to be acceptable to God. Summary for Gal 3:1-9: 3:1-9 Paul compares the Galatians’ spiritual experience (3:1-5 ) with Abraham’s (3:6-9 ), showing that they were made right with God in the same way, through faith and not through the law (Eph 2:8-9 ). 3:1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Their foolishness was both intellectual and spiritual (cp. Luke 24:25 ; see 1 Sam 25:1-38 ) as they turned away from Christ (Gal 1:6 ) and put faith in the law. • The Galatians were deceived by the teachers’ evil spell (cp. Gen 3:1-7 )—not literal witchcraft, but enticing arguments. • For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross (literally Before your eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified ): Paul’s proclamation of the Good News clearly portrayed Christ’s death and explained its significance (see Rom 10:14-17 ).

a3:1–5:12►

b3:1-9►

c3:1-5►

d3:6-9►

eEph 2:8-9►

f3:1►

gLuke 24:25►

h1 Sam 25:1-38►

iGal 1:6►

jGen 3:1-7►

kRom 10:14-17►

‏ Galatians 3:1

Summary for Gal 3:1-5: 3:1–5:12 ^a Paul now defends the truth of his message—that right relationship with God comes by faith in Christ alone—and proves the fallacy of the message that Gentiles must keep the law in order to be acceptable to God.
Summary for Gal 3:1-9: 3:1-9 ^b Paul compares the Galatians’ spiritual experience (3:1-5 ^c) with Abraham’s (3:6-9 ^d), showing that they were made right with God in the same way, through faith and not through the law (Eph 2:8-9 ^e). 3:1 ^f Oh, foolish Galatians! Their foolishness was both intellectual and spiritual (cp. Luke 24:25 ^g; see 1 Sam 25:1-38 ^h) as they turned away from Christ (Gal 1:6 ⁱ) and put faith in the law.

• The Galatians were deceived by the teachers’ evil spell (cp. Gen 3:1-7 ^j)—not literal witchcraft, but enticing arguments.

• For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross (literally Before your eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified): Paul’s proclamation of the Good News clearly portrayed Christ’s death and explained its significance (see Rom 10:14-17 ^k).