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Galatians 3

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?

This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

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?

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

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.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

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.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

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:

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

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.

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.

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

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.

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

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.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What does Galatians 3:13 mean?

Explanation

Galatians 3:13 speaks to the core Christian belief that Jesus Christ has provided liberation from the consequences of failing to adhere to the Old Testament law, a transgression that brought a curse upon those who could not fulfill its demands.

The verse asserts that Christ did this by becoming a curse himself, as it was said that anyone who was hung on a tree was considered cursed according to the law. The 'tree' is a reference to the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

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Historical Context

Paul the Apostle wrote the Letter to the Galatians to address early Christian communities in Galatia (modern-day Turkey) concerning issues about the Law of Moses and the inclusion of Gentile converts in the Christian faith.

At that time, the question of whether Gentile Christians needed to observe Jewish law was pressing, and Paul argued that faith in Christ alone was sufficient for salvation.

Writing in the mid-first century AD, Paul referenced the legal and religious practices of the day to communicate his message.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this verse in varying lights.

Traditional Protestant theology emphasizes the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, suggesting that Jesus took upon himself the curse of sin, fulfilling the law’s demands.
Catholic theology also acknowledges Christ’s redeeming act but additionally emphasizes the importance of grace-infused works in the process of salvation.
Liberation theology might view this as indicative of God's preference for those who are marginalized or oppressed (symbolized by the "curse").
Reformed theologians emphasize the sovereignty of God's grace in the act of redemption, removing any reliance on human law-keeping.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied in everyday life to remind individuals that salvation and redemption are gifts that do not require earning them through strict adherence to the law.

This can also free individuals from trying to 'earn' God's favor or forgiveness and instead live a life of gratitude and trust in God's grace.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 21:23 - "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."
Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."
Romans 10:4 - "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Language Study

"Redeemed" (Greek: exagorazo): This term comes from the marketplace and pertains to the act of buying something back, or liberating it by payment of a ransom.
"Curse" (Greek: katara): Refers to the divine curse that comes as a result of disobeying the law.
"Law" (Greek: nomos): Often used to denote the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (the Torah), commonly referring to the commands given to Israel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, the concept of a god or gods coming to Earth to bear the burden of humanity’s wrongs is not common.

However, stories of sacrificial death and subsequent rebirth of deities are a recurring theme in various mythologies. But the Christian notion of a God-man being 'made a curse' for the salvation of others is unique to Christian narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly lend itself to scientific analysis, as its claims are theological and metaphysical.

However, the idea of altruism and self-sacrifice for the group's benefit has parallels in evolutionary biology, where such behavior can enhance the survival of a species.

Commentaries

Commentators from various traditions offer insights on Galatians 3:13:

John Stott emphasizes that Christ, though sinless, suffered the consequences of sin as if he were guilty.
Martin Luther argued that the law no longer binds believers because Christ has fulfilled it in their stead.
N.T.

Wright suggests that the curse Christ redeems believers from is not merely personal, but also corporate and cosmic, indicating the broad scope of Christ’s salvific work.

Galatians 3

Galatians 3

What does Galatians 3:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Galatians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Galatians 3:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Galatians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?