Galatians 3:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 28
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἔργων
the works
G2041
ἔργων
the works
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
4 of 28
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
5 of 28
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
7 of 28
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
γεγραμμένοις
are written
G1125
γεγραμμένοις
are written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
10 of 28
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὃς
that
G3739
ὃς
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐμμένει
continueth
G1696
ἐμμένει
continueth
Strong's:
G1696
Word #:
16 of 28
to stay in the same place, i.e., (figuratively) persevere
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεγραμμένοις
are written
G1125
γεγραμμένοις
are written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
20 of 28
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
25 of 28
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:26Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.Romans 8:7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.Jeremiah 11:3And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Romans 4:15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.Deuteronomy 29:20The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Isaiah 43:28Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.
Historical Context
Deuteronomy 27:26 concludes the covenant curses at Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27-28)—Israel's solemn oath to obey the whole Law on pain of curse. The Israelites said 'Amen' to this curse, binding themselves to perfect obedience or judgment. No Israelite ever achieved this; thus, all were under the curse. The prophets lamented Israel's curse-state due to disobedience (Jeremiah 11:3-8, Daniel 9:11). Paul universalizes this: not only Israel but 'as many as are of works of the law' (Jew or Gentile) are under curse. Only Christ's curse-bearing (v. 13) liberates from this judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Deuteronomy 27:26's demand for perfect obedience to 'all things' in the Law demolish any hope of justification by works?
- Why is partial obedience to the Law not commendable but damnable? What does this reveal about God's holiness and justice?
- In what subtle ways might you be placing yourself 'under the curse' by relying on your moral performance rather than Christ's perfect obedience?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul now contrasts the blessing of faith (v. 9) with the curse of Law-works. 'As many as are of the works of the law' (hosoi gar ex ergōn nomou, ὅσοι γὰρ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου)—those whose identity is grounded in Law-performance—'are under the curse' (hypo kataran eisin, ὑπὸ κατάραν εἰσιν): under the realm of cursing. The quote from Deuteronomy 27:26 is devastating: cursed is 'every one' (pas, πᾶς) who does not continue (emmenei, ἐμμένει, present tense: keep on persisting) in 'all things' (pasin, πᾶσιν) written in the Law to do them (poiēsai, ποιῆσαι, infinitive of purpose).
The Law demands perfect, perpetual obedience to every command—'all things...do them.' Partial obedience equals total failure. One transgression invokes the curse. James 2:10 echoes this: 'whosoever shall keep the whole law, yet offend in one point, is guilty of all.' Therefore, relying on Law-works for justification guarantees condemnation, because no one perfectly keeps the whole Law. The Law pronounces curse, not blessing, on all who fail—which is everyone.
Paul's logic is airtight: Faith brings blessing (v. 9); Law brings curse (v. 10). The Judaizers claimed Law-keeping secured blessing; Paul proves it secures curse, because the Law itself curses everyone who fails perfect obedience. To seek justification by Law is to place yourself under the very curse the Law pronounces.