The Bible — World English Bible
Galatians 3
In brief
In Galatians 3, Paul sharply rebukes Christians who, having begun with the Spirit, are turning to the works of the law. He reminds them that they received the Spirit by believing, just as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. The true children of Abraham are those who have faith, and the promise, which came before the law, cannot be canceled. The law played the role of a guardian leading to Christ. The chapter ends with the equality of all who are in Christ, heirs of the promise.
The chapter in 5 parts
1Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?
2I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?
4Did you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?
5He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
6Even as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”
7Know therefore that those who are of faith are children of Abraham.
8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”
9So then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
11Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
12The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does 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,”
14that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it.
16Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ.
17Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.
18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
19Then why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one.
21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.
22But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, 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, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.
27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.
Key verses
I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
Paul asks a simple question to bring them back to their own experience: did you receive the Spirit by doing what the law asks, or by hearing the word with faith? The starting point of the Christian life is a gift received, not a wage earned.
Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul quotes the Old Testament: the righteous will live by faith. No one is declared righteous before God by keeping the law, but by trusting in what God has done. This verse is taken up in Romans and Hebrews.
Christ 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,”
Christ took on himself the curse that weighed on those who could not fulfill the whole law. Paul speaks of redemption, of a price paid in our place. The verse explains the cross as an act of liberation.
So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
The law is compared to a guardian, the slave who led the child to school. It is not the goal: it shows the need for a savior and leads to Christ, through whom we are justified by faith.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
In Christ, the barriers between Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people, men and women no longer count for access to God. Christians debate what this verse means for roles in the church, but all agree on equality before God.
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Frequently asked questions about Galatians 3
What does “the righteous will live by faith” mean in Galatians 3:11?
Paul quotes Habakkuk to say that the one whom God declares righteous lives by trusting God, not by trying to earn his approval through the law. Faith is not an extra effort: it is the response to what God has already done in Jesus Christ.
What is the law for, according to Galatians 3?
Paul explains that the law was given after the promise because of transgressions, and that it played the role of a guardian until Christ came. It cannot give life, but it shows sin and the need for a savior. It is not contrary to God's promises.
What does it mean that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male nor female?
In verse 28, Paul affirms that all believers are one in Jesus Christ and that no origin or status gives more or less access to God. Christian traditions differ on what this implies for roles in the church, but all recognize the equality of all before God in salvation.
Who are the children of Abraham in Galatians 3?
Paul answers that they are those who have faith, as Abraham believed God. The promise of blessing for all nations is therefore open to those who believe, whether of Jewish origin or not, and they are heirs according to the promise.
Articles quoting Galatians 3
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- Galatians 5: Called to Be Free in Christ
- The Pastor's Heart of the Apostle Paul for the Churches
- Galatians 4: Let Christ Take Shape in You
- Galatians 3: Living by the Spirit, Moving Forward and Walking Together
World English Bible translation — public domain.