Galatians 3:9
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Original Language Analysis
ὥστε
So then
G5620
ὥστε
So then
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 9
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
they which be of
G1537
ἐκ
they which be of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 9
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
πίστεως
faith
G4102
πίστεως
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
4 of 9
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
εὐλογοῦνται
are blessed
G2127
εὐλογοῦνται
are blessed
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
5 of 9
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
6 of 9
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,Galatians 3:29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.Romans 4:24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;Romans 4:11And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:Galatians 4:28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Historical Context
The 'blessing of Abraham' includes justification (v. 8), covenant sonship (v. 7), the Holy Spirit (v. 14), and inheritance of the promises (v. 29). Jewish theology restricted these blessings to ethnic Israel or Gentile proselytes who became Jews via circumcision. Paul's radical claim: Gentile believers receive Abraham's blessings directly through faith, without becoming Jews. This same principle grounds the New Covenant: in Christ, the barriers between Jew and Gentile are abolished (Ephesians 2:11-22), and all believers are co-heirs of Abraham.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific blessings do you share with Abraham as a fellow faith-believer? How does this change your self-understanding?
- How does being 'blessed with faithful Abraham' give you confidence that God's promises to him apply to you personally?
- In what ways might you need to shift from seeking blessing through religious performance to resting in the blessing you already have through faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. The conclusion (hōste, ὥστε) follows logically: 'they which be of faith' (hoi ek pisteōs, οἱ ἐκ πίστεως)—literally 'the faith-ones'—are 'blessed with' (syn, σύν, 'together with') faithful Abraham. The word 'blessed' (eulogountai, εὐλογοῦνται) picks up the blessing-promise of verse 8, now in present tense: believers are currently being blessed alongside Abraham.
The descriptor 'faithful Abraham' (tō pistō Abraam, τῷ πιστῷ Ἀβραάμ) emphasizes his character as 'the believing one'—Abraham is defined by faith, and all who share his faith share his blessing. The article tō (τῷ) makes pistō (πιστῷ) a title: Abraham the Believer. Those who believe are blessed together with Abraham the Believer—faith is the unifying principle across the centuries.
This verse completes Paul's Abraham argument:
The Judaizers insisted blessing comes through Law; Paul insists blessing comes through faith, the same faith Abraham exercised. We are co-heirs with Abraham—not through circumcision, but through shared faith.