Gal 3:10-11 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 3:10-12: 3:10-12 By relying on circumcision, the Galatians depended on the law . Those who look to the law for right standing with God are under a curse . They cannot keep the whole law, so they cannot receive blessing under its terms. 3:10 Paul here quotes Deut 27:26 , which summarized the curse that Israel would experience if they failed to keep all the stipulations of God’s covenant (see Deut 27:9-26 ; cp. Deut 28:15-68 ; 31:26 ; Josh 1:8 ; Mal 2:2 ; see also Gen 3:14-19 ; 4:10-12 ). It is impossible for sinful human beings to obey God’s will completely (see Rom 3:9-20 ).

a3:10-12►

b3:10►

cDeut 27:26►

dDeut 27:9-26►

eDeut 28:15-68►

f31:26►

gJosh 1:8►

hMal 2:2►

iGen 3:14-19►

j4:10-12►

kRom 3:9-20►

l3:11►

mHab 2:4►

‏ Galatians 3:10-11

Summary for Gal 3:10-12: 3:10-12 ^a By relying on circumcision, the Galatians depended on the law. Those who look to the law for right standing with God are under a curse. They cannot keep the whole law, so they cannot receive blessing under its terms. 3:10 ^b Paul here quotes Deut 27:26 ^c, which summarized the curse that Israel would experience if they failed to keep all the stipulations of God’s covenant (see Deut 27:9-26 ^d; cp. Deut 28:15-68 ^e; 31:26 ^f; Josh 1:8 ^g; Mal 2:2 ^h; see also Gen 3:14-19 ⁱ; 4:10-12 ^j). It is impossible for sinful human beings to obey God’s will completely (see Rom 3:9-20 ^k).
3:11 ^l So it is clear from Scripture, even if it was not clear to the Galatians or the false teachers who were insisting on circumcision for Gentile believers.

• “It is through faith that a righteous person has life”: Paul quotes Hab 2:4 ^m, in which the prophet was waiting in faith for God’s promise to be fulfilled.