Gal 3:6-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 3:6-9: 3:6-9 Abraham’s experience shows that faith has always been the basis for relationship with God and for receiving what God has promised. 3:6 This quote is from Gen 15:6 , where God established his covenant with Abraham (see Gen 15:1-21 ; 17:1-27 ). This statement is foundational in defining God’s relationship with humanity (see Hab 2:4 ; Rom 4:1-8 , 17-22 ).

Summary for Gal 3:6-9: 3:6-9 ^a Abraham’s experience shows that faith has always been the basis for relationship with God and for receiving what God has promised. 3:6 ^b This quote is from Gen 15:6 ^c, where God established his covenant with Abraham (see Gen 15:1-21 ^d; 17:1-27 ^e). This statement is foundational in defining God’s relationship with humanity (see Hab 2:4 ^f; Rom 4:1-8 ^g, 17-22 ^h).
3:7 ⁱ Gentile Christians—including the Galatians—are among the real children of Abraham, not by keeping the law of Moses, but by faith in God (see Rom 4:9-17 ^j, 23-25 ^k; cp. Matt 12:48-50 ^l).
3:8 ^m the Scriptures looked forward: By faith, Abraham foresaw the coming Messiah (cp. John 8:56 ⁿ) and received the message that “All nations will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3 ^o; 18:18 ^p; 22:18 ^q).Through Abraham’s offspring, the Messiah, God would accept all nations on the same basis as Abraham himself—by faith.
Summary for Gal 3:10-12: 3:10-12 ^r 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 ^s Paul here quotes Deut 27:26 ^t, 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 ^u; cp. Deut 28:15-68 ^v; 31:26 ^w; Josh 1:8 ^x; Mal 2:2 ^y; see also Gen 3:14-19 ^z; 4:10-12 ^aa). It is impossible for sinful human beings to obey God’s will completely (see Rom 3:9-20 ^ab).
3:11 ^ac 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 ^ad, in which the prophet was waiting in faith for God’s promise to be fulfilled.
3:12 ^ae The law itself is not opposed to faith (see 3:19-25 ^af; Rom 7:7-13 ^ag), but trying to be righteous by keeping the law opposes righteousness by faith in Christ. Paul quotes Lev 18:5 ^ah to show that life under the law comes by obeying rather than believing. Right standing with God is impossible on that basis (Gal 3:10-11 ^ai).
Summary for Gal 3:13-14: 3:13-14 ^aj In contrast with those who depend on the law (3:10-12 ^ak), those who look to God through faith in Christ freely receive God’s life and blessings. 3:13 ^al rescued us (or ransomed us): Christ paid a ransom to buy back his people (see 4:4-5 ^am; 1 Pet 1:18-20 ^an).

• “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”: Paul quotes Deut 21:23 ^ao, in which executed criminals exposed for public shame were under God’s curse (see study note on Deut 21:22). Jesus, when he was crucified, took upon himself God’s curse that should have fallen upon all sinners (cp. 2 Cor 5:21 ^ap).