PERFECT obedience is required by the words, "in all things." The putting on of Christ according to the gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire change. Compare John 8:56 , Hebrews 4:2 . (Gal 3:13-14) Jesus redeems us from the curse of the law. The conclusion is, Therefore the inheritance is not of, or from the law ( Romans 4:14 ). (2) The law was temporary; being in effect only “till the seed” (Jesus), “should come.” (3) Unlike the covenant God gave directly to Abraham, the law … So 2 Corinthians 5:21 , "Sin for us," not sinful, but bearing the whole sin of our race, regarded as one vast aggregate of sin. 25. the scripture--which began to be written after the time of the promise, at the time when the law was given. . "Wherefore then serveth the law?" 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? God would bring man into immediate communion with Him, and not have man separated from Him by a mediator that keeps back from access, as Moses and the legal priesthood did ( Exodus 19:12 Exodus 19:13 Exodus 19:17 Exodus 19:21-24 , Hebrews 12:19-24 ). Galatians full text: Galatians 1 | Galatians 2 | Galatians 3 | Galatians 4 | Galatians 5 | Galatians 6 The apostle in this chapter, I. Reproves the Galatians for their folly, in suffering themselves to be drawn … Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Christ--not in the exclusive sense, the man Christ Jesus, but "Christ" (Jesus is not added, which would limit the meaning), including His people who are part of Himself, the Second Adam, and Head of redeemed humanity. faithful--implying what it is in which they are "blessed together with him," namely, faith, the prominent feature of his character, and of which the result to all who like him have it, is justification. Thus delivered up to the judicial law, we see how awful is the doom we deserve: thus the law at last leads us to Christ, with whom we find righteousness and peace. Real Christians enjoy great privileges under the gospel; and are no longer accounted servants, but sons; not now kept at such a distance, and under such restraints as the Jews were. He, as being One, unites all believers, without distinction, to Himself ( Galatians 3:8 Galatians 3:16 Galatians 3:28 , Ephesians 1:10 , 2:14 ; compare Hebrews 2:11 ) in direct communion. Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly … one--Greek, "one man"; masculine, not neuter, namely "one new man" in Christ ( Ephesians 2:15 ). The answer to the question in Galatians 3:5 is here taken for granted, It was by the hearing of faith: following this up, he says, "Even as Abraham believed," &c. ( Genesis 15:4-6 Romans 4:3 ). Hung between heaven and earth as though unworthy of either! [CALVIN]. If that promise was enough for salvation, wherefore then serveth the law? The same phrase is in the Greek of Romans 3:26 . Christ alone can, by baptizing with His Spirit, make the inward grace correspond to the outward sign. He reserved "the promise" to Himself and dispensed it according to His own goodness. 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 covenant God made with Abraham, was not done away by the giving the law to Moses. Galatians 3:10 , "As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse," refers plainly, not to the Jews only, but to all, even Gentiles (as the Galatians), who seek justification by the law. if it be confirmed--when once it hath been ratified. 8. God justifieth the Jews, too, "by faith, not by works." This is a sign of spiritual immaturity, even as a baby will stick anything into its mouth. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. The laws teach God’s holy standards to people. by faith of Jesus Christ--that is which is by faith in Jesus Christ. Commentaries for Galatians Chapter 3 Paul's Exposition of Promise and Law. Both in and by are included. "But now that faith is come," &c. Moses the lawgiver cannot bring us into the heavenly Canaan though he can bring us to the border of it. This was the end of the whole system of sacrifices" [THOLUCK]. in the hand of a mediator--namely, Moses. Or the "But" means, So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the knowledge of sin is rather what comes of the law [BENGEL]. Paul ( Romans 3:30 ) infers the same truth from the ONENESS of God (compare Ephesians 4:4-6 ). Difference of sex makes no difference in Christian privileges. He . Beautifully contrasted with "the liberty wherewith Christ makes free," which follows, Galatians 3:7 Galatians 3:9 Galatians 3:25 Galatians 3:26 , 5:1 , Isaiah 61:1 . Chapter Summary Paul indicates the Galatian Christians are foolish for believing they need to follow the law of Moses to be right with God. 3. Accordingly, the "we," in "that we might receive the promise of the Spirit," plainly refers to both Jews and Gentiles. Not as BENGEL and ALFORD, "He who is just by faith shall live." 1 You foolish Galatians! 3 Galatians 3 We become right with God when we trust Jesus 1 You Christians in Galatia are like fools! "Having thus begun" with the receiving His spiritual gifts, "are ye now being made perfect" (so the Greek), that is, are ye seeking to be made perfect with "fleshly" ordinances of the law? In the resurrection the relation of the sexes shall cease ( Luke 20:35 ). It omits the two clauses ‘that ye should not obey the truth’ and ‘among you.’ The omission increases … Compare Galatians 3:8 , "Scripture," for "the God of the Scripture." "Curse," an execration. The apostle in this chapter, I. Reproves the Galatians for their folly, in suffering themselves to be drawn away from the faith of the gospel, and endeavours, from several considerations, to impress … First, they … Where justification is, there the Spirit is, so that if the former comes by faith, the latter must also. Confirmation of Galatians 3:9 . The Jews' law represents the universal law which condemned the Gentiles, though with less clear consciousness on their part ( Romans 2:1-29 ). Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life. 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? 2 This only would I learn … It is observable, Paul quotes Scripture to the Jews who were conversant with it, as in Epistle to the Hebrews, as said or spoken; but to the Gentiles, as written. CONTINUAL obedience by the word, "continueth." Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We may boldly demand where the fruits of the Holy Spirit are most evidently brought forth? bond nor free--Christ alike belongs to both by faith; whence he puts "bond" before "free." What does Galatians chapter 3 mean? Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having … It is no objection to this view, that the Gospel, too, has a mediator ( 1 Timothy 2:5 ). No one has a legal claim to sit upon it but Himself, He being the only living direct representative ( Ezekiel 21:27 ). It tends every way to promote it. preached before the gospel--"announced beforehand the Gospel." kept--Greek, "kept in ward": the effect of the "shutting up" ( Galatians 3:22 , Galatians 4:2 , Romans 7:6 ). In the spiritual seed there is no distinction of Jew or Greek; but to the literal seed, the promises still in part remain to be fulfilled ( Romans 11:26 ). 11. make . The Jews began their worship by reciting the Schemah, opening thus, "Jehovah our God is ONE Jehovah"; which words their Rabbis (as JARCHIUS) interpret as teaching not only the unity of God, but the future universality of His Kingdom on earth ( Zephaniah 3:9 ). JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH VINDICATED: THE LAW SHOWN TO BE SUBSEQUENT TO THE PROMISE: BELIEVERS ARE THE SPIRITUAL SEED OF ABRAHAM, WHO WAS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. . For "God has given you the Spirit and has wrought mighty works among you" ( Galatians 3:5 Hebrews 10:32-36 ) [BENGEL]. iii. It is now, and at all times, God's one way of justification. doeth he it by the works of the law--that is, as a consequence resulting from (so the Greek) the works of the law (compare Galatians 3:2 ). There is in this sonship by faith in Christ, no class privileged above another, as the Jews under the law had been above the Gentiles ( Romans 10:12 , 1 Corinthians 12:13 , Colossians 3:11 ). At Beer-sheba, after the covenant with Abimelech, Abraham called on the everlasting God, and the well was confirmed to him and his seed as an everlasting possession. 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