Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Galatians
Chapter 3: The Just Shall Live by Faith
Galatians 3 presses the case for faith over the works of the law. Paul asks the 'foolish Galatians' a simple question: 'Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?' Abraham himself 'believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness,' so 'they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.' The law can only condemn, 'as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse,' but 'the just shall live by faith.' And the gospel is the great exchange: 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us... that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles.' The promise was made to Abraham's 'seed... which is Christ'; the law, added later, was 'our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.' Now 'ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus,' and 'there is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.' The chapter shows us the Spirit received by faith, Christ made a curse to redeem us, and all believers one in Him.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of Galatians chapter 3. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Here Paul proves justification by faith from Abraham and the Scriptures, shows Christ made a curse to redeem us, and declares all believers one in Christ. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Setting the Stage
The Spirit by Faith
Did you receive the Spirit by works, or by the hearing of faith?
Made a Curse for Us
Christ bore the law's curse to bring us its blessing.
To Bring Us Unto Christ
The law was a tutor leading to Christ and justification by faith.
All One in Christ
By faith and baptism, all believers are one in Christ Jesus.
Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law (Galatians 3:1-14)
The Spirit and the blessing come by faith, not law; and Christ was made a curse to redeem us from the law's curse.
The Just Shall Live by Faith
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Word Study
"redeemed," Greek exagorazo (ἐξαγοράζω). The word means to buy out of the marketplace, to purchase and set free, as one redeems a slave by paying the price. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." The law pronounced a curse on all who failed to keep it perfectly, "cursed is every one that continueth not in all things," and that curse hung over every sinner. Christ redeemed us from it, and the price He paid was to be "made a curse for us," bearing our curse in Himself on the cross, for the Scripture says, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." The sinless One took the curse that was ours, so that the blessing promised to Abraham might come to us, and "we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." This is the great exchange at the heart of the gospel: Christ bore our curse to give us His blessing. He was made a curse that we might be blessed; He paid the redemption price with His own life, buying us out of the law's condemnation. We are redeemed, purchased and set free, by the Christ who was made a curse for us.
Explanation
Paul argues first from their own experience: "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" They began in the Spirit by faith; why finish in the flesh by law? Then he argues from Scripture: Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" — justified by faith centuries before the law. The law brings only a curse on those who fail to keep it all; but "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse... being made a curse for us," hanged on a tree, "that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles" — received, like everything, "through faith."
Gospel Focus
Paul is astonished that the Galatians, before whose eyes "Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified," would turn from grace to law, as if "bewitched." He puts a decisive question: "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" They knew the answer, they had received the Spirit when they believed, not by law-keeping. So how foolish to think that "having begun in the Spirit," they could now be "made perfect by the flesh." The Christian life begins and continues the same way: by faith. Paul appeals to Abraham, the father of the faithful, who "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." He was justified by faith, centuries before the law was given, and the promise to him, "in thee shall all nations be blessed," was the gospel preached beforehand, so that "they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Then Paul exposes the law's verdict: "as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse," for the law curses all who do not keep it perfectly, and no one does. So "no man is justified by the law in the sight of God... for, The just shall live by faith." Here is the great gospel word, quoted from Habakkuk, that would one day reignite the church: the righteous live by faith, not works. And then the heart of it all: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." We were under the curse; Christ took it, hanging on the tree in our place, bearing the curse we deserved, so that the blessing of Abraham, and "the promise of the Spirit," might come to us "through faith." This is the gospel: not our works climbing up to God, but Christ bearing our curse to bring us God's blessing, received by faith alone.
Ye Are All One in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:15-29)
The promise to Abraham's seed, Christ, came before the law; the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Him, and in Him all are one.
The Law Was Our Schoolmaster to Bring Us Unto Christ
"Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Word Study
"schoolmaster," Greek paidagogos (παιδαγωγός). The word does not mean a teacher in the modern sense but a household guardian, usually a trusted slave, who supervised a boy, disciplined him, and led him to school until he came of age. "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The law functioned like such a guardian: it disciplined, restrained, and exposed sin, keeping the people "shut up" under its charge "until the faith which should afterwards be revealed." Its purpose was never to justify but to lead to Christ, showing our need of Him and pointing to Him. And once He came, and faith with Him, the guardian's job was done: "after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." The believer is not under the law as a means of justification, for he has come to the One the law was leading him toward. The law was good and served its purpose, a paidagogos escorting us to Christ, but it was never the destination; Christ is. Now, justified by faith, we are grown sons, no longer under the tutor.
Explanation
Paul shows that the promise to Abraham came 430 years before the law, and a later law cannot annul an earlier covenant. The promise was made to Abraham's "seed" — singular — "which is Christ." Why then the law at all? It was "added because of transgressions," a temporary "schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Now that faith has come, the tutor's role is over. And the result levels every wall: "there is neither Jew nor Greek... bond nor free... male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," heirs of Abraham's promise.
Gospel Focus
Paul now argues from the order of God's dealings. A confirmed covenant cannot be annulled or added to; and the promise God made to Abraham and his "seed" came 430 years before the law. So the law, coming later, cannot cancel the promise. Paul notes a striking detail: the promise was made "to thy seed... which is Christ", singular, pointing ultimately to one, to Christ, in whom the promise is fulfilled and through whom the blessing flows to all. If the inheritance were "of the law," it would no longer be "of promise"; but God gave it to Abraham "by promise," by grace, received through faith. Then Paul answers the obvious question: "Wherefore then serveth the law?" If it cannot justify, why was it given? "It was added because of transgressions," to expose and restrain sin, "till the seed should come." In passing, Paul notes it was ordained "in the hand of a mediator," and adds a profound word: "a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one." A mediator stands between two parties, as Moses stood between God and Israel; but Paul reminds us that "God is one", the great confession of Israel and of the Apostolic faith. There is one God, and His promise rests not on a two-sided law-arrangement but on His own single, faithful purpose of grace. The law could not "give life"; only the promise, received by faith, brings righteousness. So "the scripture hath concluded all under sin," shutting every mouth, "that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." The law was "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ," and now that faith has come, we are no longer under it. And Paul rises to the glorious result: "ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Faith unites us to Christ, and in baptism we are joined to Him and clothed with Him. And in Him every worldly division falls: "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." All who are Christ's are "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." The one God has one people, made His children by faith in the one Christ, clothed with Him, and made one in Him.
Chapter 3 in Review
Galatians 3 proves justification by faith and unfolds the gospel of the crucified Christ. The Galatians received the Spirit "by the hearing of faith," not works, just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." The law brings only a curse, "as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse," but "the just shall live by faith." And the gospel is the great exchange: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us," that the blessing and the Spirit might come through faith. The promise was made to Abraham's "seed... which is Christ," before the law; the law, added "because of transgressions," was "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Now "ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," "baptized into Christ" and clothed with Him, so that "there is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
For the Apostolic reader this chapter magnifies grace and the cross. The Spirit and the blessing come by faith, not law; the Christian life that begins in faith is lived in faith, not perfected by the flesh. The law's role was never to save but to expose sin and lead us to Christ, a guardian escorting us to the Saviour; and now that He has come, we rest in Him, not under the law. At the center stands the redeeming exchange: Christ was "made a curse for us," bearing on the tree the curse we deserved, that we might receive the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit. And the God who did this is one, one God with one plan of grace, one people made His children by faith in the one Christ. In Him every division is overcome; all who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ and are one in Him, heirs of the promise. So live by faith, rest in the Christ who was made a curse to redeem you, and rejoice that in Him you are a child of God and one with all His people.
- The Spirit is received "by the hearing of faith," not the works of the law (3:2).
- Abraham was justified by faith; "the just shall live by faith" (3:6, 11).
- "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (3:13).
- The promise was made to Abraham's seed, "which is Christ" (3:16).
- The law was "our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ" (3:24).
- "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus," children of God and heirs of the promise (3:28-29).
Questions for Reflection
- Did you begin in the Spirit by faith? Are you trying to be "made perfect by the flesh"?
- What does it mean to you that Christ was "made a curse" in your place?
- Do you see the law as a guardian that led you to Christ, not a means of justification?
- How does being "all one in Christ Jesus" shape the way you view other believers?
References & Sources
Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. The Spirit and blessing by faith; Abraham justified: Galatians 3:1-9; Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1-12; Genesis 12:3. The just shall live by faith; the curse of the law: Galatians 3:10-12; Deuteronomy 27:26; Habakkuk 2:4; Leviticus 18:5. Christ made a curse to redeem us: Galatians 3:13-14; Deuteronomy 21:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24. The promise, the law as schoolmaster, one in Christ: Galatians 3:15-29; Genesis 22:18; Romans 5:20; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11. The oneness of God: Galatians 3:20; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.
- Justified by faith; Christ made a curse to redeem us: Galatians 3:1-14; Habakkuk 2:4; Deuteronomy 21:23.
- The promise to Abraham's seed; the law as schoolmaster: Galatians 3:15-25; Genesis 22:18; Romans 10:4.
- All one in Christ Jesus, heirs of the promise: Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11.