Galatians 3:10-18
Christ Redeems from the Curse
10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.
16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.
18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul contrasts two ways of seeking a right standing before God. Everyone who relies on the works of the law is under a curse, because Scripture says the person who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law is cursed. The problem is not that God's law is bad. The problem is that sinners cannot turn their performance into a secure foundation.
No one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. The law and faith are not saying the same thing in the same way. Law speaks of doing; faith receives life from trusting God.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Paul grounds this in the written word: everyone who is hung on a tree is under a curse. Jesus' death is not a metaphor for a small inconvenience. He entered the place of judgment so that the blessing given to Abraham could come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus.
The result is that we may receive the promised Spirit through faith. Paul uses an ordinary legal example. Even a human covenant, once ratified, cannot be annulled or amended. God's promises are more secure still.
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Paul points out that the word is singular—Christ. The law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, cannot cancel a covenant God had already confirmed. An inheritance rests on God's promise, not on a later arrangement that changes its basis.
Questions
1 Why does Paul say reliance on the works of the law brings a curse?
AnswerScripture says the person who relies on the law must continue in everything written in it. Human performance cannot provide a secure foundation for justification.
2 How will the righteous live?
AnswerThe righteous will live by faith. Paul contrasts trusting God with relying on one's ability to fulfill the law perfectly.
3 How did Christ redeem us from the curse?
AnswerHe became a curse for us through His death on the tree, so Abraham's blessing could reach the Gentiles through Christ.
4 What cannot annul God's promise to Abraham?
AnswerThe law, given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant God had already confirmed or cancel the promised inheritance.
What This Means for Us
The cross does not merely inspire us to try harder. Christ takes the judgment we could not escape and opens the blessing God promised. That leaves no room for boasting and no need to make other people earn a place Christ gives by grace.
God's promises are not fragile arrangements that human failure can rewrite. Faith receives what God has pledged, then learns to live as a grateful heir rather than a frightened applicant.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing the curse and bringing Abraham's blessing to the nations. Keep us from trusting our performance, and teach us to receive Your promise with humble faith. Amen.