Galatians 3:6-14
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).
3:14 aq Christ Jesus has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing ... promised to Abraham, as described in 3:6-13 ar. Paul equates this blessing with receiving the promised Holy Spirit (3:2-6 as; see also Rom 8:1-17 at, 23 au; Eph 1:13-14 av).
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