Galatians 3
By Faith or by Works of the Law?
1 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? References Christ: Galatians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 11:3. Parallel theme: Galatians 3:3, 4:9, Ephesians 4:14, Hebrews 5:9, 11:8, 1 Peter 4:17, 2 Peter 2:18, Revelation 2:20 +5
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Faith: Galatians 3:5, 3:14. Spirit: Acts 2:38, 8:15, 15:8, Hebrews 2:4
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 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? Faith: Galatians 3:2. Word: Acts 14:3. Spirit: Romans 15:19. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:12, 13:3
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Faith: Galatians 3:9, Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:24, James 2:23
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 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. Faith: Galatians 3:22, John 7:38, Hebrews 4:2. Blessing: Genesis 12:3, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14. Word: Genesis 49:10. References Abraham: Galatians 3:16 +5
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10). 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. Word: Galatians 2:16, Deuteronomy 27:26, Jeremiah 11:3, Romans 4:15, 8:7. Curse: Deuteronomy 29:20, Isaiah 43:28, Matthew 25:41. Parallel theme: Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23 +5
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Faith: Galatians 2:16, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. References God: Revelation 5:9. Righteousness: Ecclesiastes 7:20. Parallel theme: Isaiah 53:6 +2
12 And the law is not of faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1).: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 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:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The Law and the Promise
15 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.
16 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.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10)., which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Covenant: Galatians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 1:20. References God: Romans 3:3. Word: Galatians 5:4, John 1:17, 1 Corinthians 1:17, Colossians 2:4. Parallel theme: Genesis 15:13, Isaiah 14:27 +4
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 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. Covenant: Galatians 3:16. Word: Deuteronomy 5:5, John 1:17, Acts 7:53, Romans 2:13, 4:15, Hebrews 2:2. Sin: John 15:22, Acts 7:38. Parallel theme: Hebrews 2:5 +5
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 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.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Covenant: Hebrews 9:15, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 2:25. Faith: Galatians 3:23, John 3:36, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9. Sin: Romans 5:12. Parallel theme: Psalms 143:2, Romans 11:32 +5
Children of God Through Faith
23 But before faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1). came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Word: Galatians 3:19, 5:18, Romans 3:19. Parallel theme: Romans 11:32
24 Wherefore the lawLaw: νόμος (Nomos). The Greek nomos (νόμος) denotes law—particularly the Mosaic law. While believers are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14), Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10). was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. References Christ: Colossians 2:17. Faith: Galatians 2:16, Romans 10:4. Word: Galatians 2:19
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Parallel theme: Romans 6:14, 7:4
26 For ye are all the children of GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. by faith in Christ Jesus. References Jesus: John 20:17, Ephesians 1:5. References God: Ephesians 5:1, Philippians 2:15, Revelation 21:7. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 6:18
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 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. References Christ: Romans 1:16, Colossians 3:11. References Jesus: Galatians 5:6. Parallel theme: John 10:16, 11:52, 17:11, Romans 9:24, 1 Corinthians 7:14, 7:19, Ephesians 4:4 +5
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Covenant: Galatians 3:16, Ephesians 3:6, James 2:5. References Christ: Galatians 4:7, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 10:7. References Abraham: Galatians 3:7. Parallel theme: Titus 3:7, Revelation 21:7 +4