Galatians 3NASB
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Galatians3

New American Standard

1You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

2This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

4Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

6Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

7Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10For all who are of works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to do them.”

11Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “the righteous one will live by faith.”

12However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “The person who performs them will live by them.”

13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—

14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.

17What I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

18For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

20Now a mediator is not for one party only; but God is only one.

21Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? Far from it! For if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

22But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed.

24Therefore the Law has become our guardian to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

26For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Galatians 3.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The Galatians reproved for departing from the great doctrine of justification alone, through faith in Christ. (1–5). This doctrine established from the example of Abraham. (6–9). From the tenor of the law and the severity of its curse. (10–14). From the covenant of promises, which the law could not disannul. (15–18). The law was a school master to lead them to Christ. (19–25). Under the gospel state true believers are all one in Christ. (26–29).

vv1-5

Several things made the folly of the Galatian Christians worse. They had the doctrine of the cross preached, and the Lord's supper administered among them, in both which Christ crucified, and the nature of his sufferings, had been fully and clearly set forth. Had they been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, by the ministration of the law, or on account of any works done by them in obedience thereto? Was it not by their hearing and embracing the doctrine of faith in Christ alone for justification? Which of these had God owned with tokens of his favour and acceptance? It was not by the first, but the last. And those must be very unwise, who suffer themselves to be turned away from the ministry and doctrine which have been blessed to their spiritual advantage. Alas, that men should turn from the all-important doctrine of Christ crucified, to listen to useless distinctions, mere moral preaching, or wild fancies! The god of this world, by various men and means, has blinded men's eyes, lest they should learn to trust in a crucified Saviour. We may boldly demand where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are most evidently brought forth? whether among those who preach justification by the works of the law, or those who preach the doctrine of faith? Assuredly among the latter.

vv6-14

The apostle proves the doctrine he had blamed the Galatians for rejecting; namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. This he does from the example of Abraham, whose faith fastened upon the word and promise of God, and upon his believing he was owned and accepted of God as a righteous man. The Scripture is said to foresee, because the Holy Spirit that indited the Scripture did foresee. Through faith in the promise of God he was blessed; and it is only in the same way that others obtain this privilege. Let us then study the object, nature, and effects of Abraham's faith; for who can in any other way escape the curse of the holy law? The curse is against all sinners, therefore against all men; for all have sinned, and are become guilty before God: and if, as transgressors of the law, we are under its curse, it must be vain to look for justification by it. Those only are just or righteous who are freed from death and wrath, and restored into a state of life in the favour of God; and it is only through faith that persons become righteous. Thus we see that justification by faith is no new doctrine, but was taught in the church of God, long before the times of the gospel. It is, in truth, the only way wherein any sinners ever were, or can be justified. Though deliverance is not to be expected from the law, there is a way open to escape the curse, and regain the favour of God, namely, through faith in Christ. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law; being made sin, or a sin-offering, for us, he was made a curse for us; not separated from God, but laid for a time under the Divine punishment. The heavy sufferings of the Son of God, more loudly warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, than all the curses of the law; for how can God spare any man who remains under sin, seeing that he spared not his own Son, when our sins were charged upon him? Yet at the same time, Christ, as from the cross, freely invites sinners to take refuge in him.

vv15-18

The covenant God made with Abraham, was not done away by the giving the law to Moses. The covenant was made with Abraham and his Seed. It is still in force; Christ abideth for ever in his person, and his spiritual seed, who are his by faith. By this we learn the difference between the promises of the law and those of the gospel. The promises of the law are made to the person of every man; the promises of the gospel are first made to Christ, then by him to those who are by faith ingrafted into Christ. Rightly to divide the word of truth, a great difference must be put between the promise and the law, as to the inward affections, and the whole practice of life. When the promise is mingled with the law, it is made nothing but the law. Let Christ be always before our eyes, as a sure argument for the defence of faith, against dependence on human righteousness.

Cross References

Galatians 3
v6Genesis 15:6quotation

Directly quoted to demonstrate that Abraham was justified by faith, not works.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v8Genesis 12:3quotation

Quoted as the gospel preached beforehand to Abraham regarding the blessing of all nations.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v10Deuteronomy 27:26quotation

Quoted to show that the law pronounces a curse on all who fail to keep it perfectly.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v11Habakkuk 2:4quotation

Directly quoted ('The just shall live by faith') to show the law cannot justify.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v12Leviticus 18:5quotation

Quoted to prove the legal principle requires perfect, active obedience ('doeth them').

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v13Deuteronomy 21:23quotation

Quoted to prove Christ bore the curse by hanging on a tree.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v6Romans 4:3-6thematic

Parallel Pauline exposition of Abraham's faith being counted for righteousness.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v17Exodus 12:40thematic

Provides the chronological basis for the 430 years between the promise and the law.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v3Hebrews 9:10thematic

Verbal link explaining 'fleshly' or 'carnal' ordinances imposed until reformation.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Hebrews 10:32thematic

Refers to believers suffering many things early on for their faith.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Romans 4:11thematic

Demonstrates that Abraham is the father of all who believe without circumcision.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v14Ephesians 1:13thematic

Shows that the promise of the Spirit is received through faith.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v15Hebrews 9:17thematic

Expounds on the legal and binding nature of a confirmed human covenant.

Supported by John Calvin

v18Romans 4:14thematic

Parallel argument that if inheritance is of the law, faith is made void.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v19Romans 7:7-13thematic

Detailed exposition of how the law was 'added because of transgressions' to expose sin.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v24Galatians 4:1-4thematic

Elaborates the 'schoolmaster' or 'guardian' metaphor of being under the law's tutelage.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v26John 1:12thematic

Confirms that believing in Christ grants the right to become children of God.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v27Romans 13:14allusion

Parallel Pauline command to 'put on' Christ, matching the baptismal imagery.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v28Colossians 3:11thematic

Strong verbal parallel declaring that in Christ there is no Jew, Greek, or bond.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v201 Timothy 2:5thematic

Illuminates the concept of a mediator standing between two parties.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole