Galatians 3:14
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Original Language Analysis
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
2 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
4 of 21
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐλογία
the blessing
G2129
εὐλογία
the blessing
Strong's:
G2129
Word #:
6 of 21
fine speaking, i.e., elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e., (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecr
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γένηται
might come
G1096
γένηται
might come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
9 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελίαν
the promise
G1860
ἐπαγγελίαν
the promise
Strong's:
G1860
Word #:
15 of 21
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματος
of the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
17 of 21
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
λάβωμεν
we might receive
G2983
λάβωμεν
we might receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
18 of 21
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
19 of 21
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Galatians 3:2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?Acts 2:33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.Ezekiel 11:19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:Isaiah 32:15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.John 7:39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:Isaiah 49:6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.Ephesians 2:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Historical Context
The 'promise of the Spirit' alludes to Joel 2:28-29 (quoted at Pentecost, Acts 2:17-21), where God promises to pour out His Spirit on 'all flesh' in the last days. Peter's Pentecost sermon announced the fulfillment: the Spirit is now given to all who repent and believe (Acts 2:38-39). The Gentile Pentecost at Cornelius's house (Acts 10:44-48) proved the Spirit comes to uncircumcised Gentiles by faith. Paul's argument in Galatians 3 hinges on this undeniable reality: Gentiles received the Spirit without circumcision (v. 2), proving God justifies by faith, not Law-works.
Questions for Reflection
- How does verse 14 connect Christ's curse-bearing (v. 13) to the inclusion of Gentiles in Abraham's blessing?
- What is the significance of the Spirit being called 'the promise of the Spirit'—both the promise and the fulfillment?
- How does receiving the Spirit 'through faith' dismantle any attempt to add Law-works as a requirement for full blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. This verse states the dual purpose of Christ's redemptive curse-bearing:
The phrase 'through Jesus Christ' (en Christō Iēsou, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ) identifies the means: union with Christ, who bore the curse. 'The promise of the Spirit' is the Spirit Himself, the fulfillment of Old Testament promises (Isaiah 32:15, 44:3
Ezekiel 36:27; Joel 2:28-29). The Spirit is both blessing and the guarantee of the full inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). Both reception clauses end with 'through faith' (dia tēs pisteōs, διὰ τῆς πίστεως)—faith remains the sole means of receiving these blessings.
This verse ties together Paul's argument: Christ redeemed us from the curse (v. 13) so Abraham's blessing reaches Gentiles (fulfilling Genesis 12:3, quoted in v. 8) and so all believers receive the promised Spirit (echoing verses 2-5). The Judaizers offered Gentiles conditional, Law-based blessing; Paul offers them full, unconditional, Spirit-based blessing through Christ's substitutionary death and resurrection.