Lesson Four

Paul's second argument is, "all who rely on works of the law are under a curse" (Galatians 3:10).  His proof of this?  "For it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the Book of the Law, and do them'" (Galatians 3:10).  This quotation is from Deuteronomy 27:26, again quoting Moses.  Another quote to confirm his position, "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith'" (Galatians 3:11) is from Habakkuk 2:4. The difference, he says, is that "the law is not of faith, rather 'The one who does them shall live by them" (Galatians 3:12, see Leviticus 18:5).  The good news is that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13).  He did this by dying on the cross, or as Deuteronomy 21:23 states, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree."  The conclusion of his second argument is, "so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).  This is diametrically opposed to salvation through the law!

To illustrate the third point about Abraham, Paul uses the example of a covenant made between two individuals.  His point is, "even with a man-made covenant, no one annuals it or adds to it once it has been ratified" (Galatians 3:15).  And the same holds true of promises made by God.  "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring.  It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ" (Galatians 3:16).  [An aside to the major point under discussion has to do with inspiration.  That is, that to Paul, the Bible is so accurately inspired that an argument can be made from the use of singular or plural.  The student is encouraged to study the section on "The Bible" found in the "Questions"  part of this web site.]  The major point is, "This is what I mean: the law which came 430 years afterward, does not annual a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void" (Galatians 3:17).  The inheritance could either come by the law or by the promise, but not both.  If you want it God's way, it came by promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:18).

This understanding of the promise as coming from Abraham and not through the law could raise some questions.  Paul anticipates and answers two of them:

"Why then the law?" (Galatians 3:19).  Some might believe that Paul is saying that the law didn't have a purpose.  That was not Paul's point.  The answer is, "It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made" (Galatians 3:19b).  Or as Paul told the Romans, "If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.  I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet'" (Romans 7:7b).  So the law had a purpose and it was to last until Christ came.

"Is the law then contrary to the promises of God?"  (Galatians 3:21).  Paul's emphatic answer is, "Certainly not!  For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law" (Galatians 3:21b).  Since it could not give life, it "imprisoned" us (Galatians 3:22-23).

Paul describes the purpose of the law by saying, "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24).  This is a further answer to the question Paul had asked in Galatians 3:19, "Why then the law?" The word "guardian" is a descriptor of a caretaker of a child and is translated "guide" in I Corinthians 4:15.  While the law was a guardian, by contrast, "in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith" (Galatians 3:26).  Those who are Christians have given up the guardian or caretaker and have been adopted as sons of God.  According to Paul, this allows us to cry out to God, "Abba, Father!" and to be an heir of God and fellow heir with Christ (see Romans 8:12-17).  Being children of God is one of the great blessings of being "in Christ."  For more information on the blessings of being "in Christ," see Romans 8:1, II Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:3, 4:32, Colossians 1:13-14, II Timothy 2:10, I John 5:11 and Revelation 14:13. The student may also look at notes on Ephesians 1:3 in the Ephesians course.  Paul explains that the way we get into Christ is to be "baptized into Christ" (Galatians 3:27, also Romans 6:3-4).  Those who have been baptized into Christ have "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27b), thus becoming recipients of His blessings.  This illustration might best be seen through the eyes of one who is standing with nothing on.  That person is seen as he/she really is.  For those who have been baptized into Christ, they have put on Christ, thus they look like him.  When God looks at such individuals, He does not see their nakedness, but the clothing of Christ.  What a beautiful picture of salvation!  When this happens, God does not see us by all the earthly designations that tend to be made.  Rather, "There 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" (Galatians 3:28).  God sees us looking like Christ.  Oh, that we could learn the lesson to see things as God does!  The promise that comes with this life in Christ: "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29).  So the ones who have Abraham for their father are those who live a life of faith, not those who can trace their ancestry back through the generations.