Galatians 3

King James Version

Full text for Galatians Chapter 3

1¶ 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?

2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be] yet in vain.

5He 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?

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

7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8And 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.

9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

10For 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.

11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13Christ 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:

14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15Brethren, 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.

16Now 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.

17And 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.

18For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.

19¶ 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.

20Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one.

21[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.

22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28There 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.

29And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul rebukes the Galatians for turning from justification by faith to the works of the law, reminding them they received the Spirit through faith. He asserts that Abraham was justified by faith, making those who believe his true children. The chapter emphasizes that the law brings a curse, from which Christ redeemed believers, enabling them to receive the blessing of Abraham and the Spirit through faith, not legalistic adherence. The law served as a temporary schoolmaster to lead to Christ, after which all believers are children of God and heirs of the promise.

Medium Summary

Paul confronts the Galatians, questioning why they have abandoned the truth of justification by faith for the works of the law, reminding them of their initial reception of the Spirit. He draws upon Abraham's example, who believed God and was accounted righteous, establishing that true children of Abraham are those of faith. The apostle explains that the law brings a curse because no one perfectly fulfills its demands, but Christ redeemed humanity from this curse by becoming a curse himself. This act ensures that the blessing promised to Abraham, including the Spirit, might extend to the Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ. The law, given 430 years after the promise, cannot annul God's prior covenant, serving instead as a temporary "schoolmaster" to lead people to Christ for justification. Ultimately, all who believe are children of God and heirs of the promise, united in Christ regardless of former distinctions.

Long Summary

Paul opens with a sharp rebuke, calling the Galatians "foolish" for being "bewitched" into forsaking the truth of Christ crucified for the works of the law. He challenges them to consider whether they received the Spirit by legal observance or by hearing of faith, implying the latter. Drawing a parallel to Abraham, Paul asserts that Abraham's belief in God was accounted to him for righteousness, establishing that those who live by faith are the true children of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing God's justification of Gentiles through faith, preached the gospel to Abraham, promising that all nations would be blessed in him. Paul then contrasts this with the law, stating that those who rely on its works are under a curse, as no one perfectly keeps all its commands. He declares that no one is justified by the law in God's sight, but rather "the just shall live by faith." Christ, he explains, redeemed believers from the law's curse by becoming a curse for them, thereby enabling the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit to come upon the Gentiles through faith. Paul clarifies that the covenant made with Abraham, confirmed by God, cannot be annulled by the law, which came 430 years later, emphasizing that the inheritance is by promise, not by law. He explains the law's purpose as a temporary addition "because of transgressions" until the promised "seed" (Christ) should come. The law served as a "schoolmaster" to guide people to Christ, so that they might be justified by faith. Once faith arrived, the need for the schoolmaster ceased. Consequently, all believers are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and through baptism into Christ, they have "put on Christ." In this new identity, distinctions of Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female are abolished, as all are "one in Christ Jesus." Therefore, if one belongs to Christ, they are Abraham's true seed and heirs according to God's promise.

Core Concepts

  • Justification by FaithThis is the central theme, emphasizing that righteousness before God is attained through belief, not through adherence to the works of the Mosaic Law, as exemplified by Abraham.
  • The Curse of the LawThe teaching that attempting to gain righteousness through the law inevitably leads to a curse, as no one can perfectly fulfill all its demands, making all under its works subject to condemnation.
  • Christ's RedemptionThe doctrine that Jesus Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for them, thereby fulfilling the law's demands and opening the way for God's blessing.
  • Abraham's SeedThe concept that true descendants of Abraham are not merely those of physical lineage, but those who share his faith. Ultimately, Christ himself is the singular "seed" through whom the promises are fulfilled.
  • The Law as a SchoolmasterThis explains that the Mosaic Law served a temporary, pedagogical role, guiding and restraining people until Christ came. After Christ's arrival, its function as a means to justification ceased.
  • Unity in ChristThe declaration that in Christ, traditional societal and religious distinctions—Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female—are transcended. All believers are united as one and are children of God.
  • The Promise of the SpiritThis concept highlights that the blessing of Abraham includes the reception of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is received through faith in Christ, not through legal works.