The Strand Study Bible

Written From Ephesus During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

1955

GALATIANS 3:11-29

11 But that no man is 1 justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, 2 The just shall live by faith . 12 And the law is not of faith: but, 3 The man that doeth them shall live in them . Only CHRIST can redeem us from the curse of the law 13 4 CHRIST hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, 5 Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the 6 blessing of Abraham might come on the 7 Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the 8 SPIRIT through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; 9 Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannul- leth, or addeth thereto 16 Now to 10 Abraham and his 11 SEED were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, 12 And to thy SEED , which is CHRIST . 17 And this I say, that the 13 COVEN- ANT , that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hun- dred and thirty years after, cannot disan- nul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the 14 law, it is no more of 15 promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. The law shows us how sinful we really are - thus our need for CHRIST 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It

was 16 added because of transgressions, till the 17 SEED should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained 18 by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now 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 19 life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded 20 all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But 21 before faith came, 22 we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our school- master to bring us unto Christ, 23 that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. All born-again believers are children of God 26 24 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been 25 baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 26 There 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. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye 27 Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

1. Heb 7:11,19 2. Quoted from the OT - Hab 2:4 (See - Rom 1:17 & Heb 10:38) 3. Quoted from the OT - Lev 18:5 (See - Rom 10:5) 4. Acts 20:28 & I Pet 1:18 & Rev 5:9 5. Quoted from the OT - Deut 21:23 6. Jn 8:56 & Rom 4:1-4 7. Isa 42:6 & 49:6 8. Jn 14:16-18 9. Heb 9:17 10. Gen12:1-3&13:14-16 11. Gen 3:15 12. Quoted from the OT - Gen 13:15 & 17:7-8 & 28:13 & 35:12 13. or, “Promise” - Gen 13:15-16 14. that is, “works” - Rom 4:13-16 & 11:6 15. or, “grace” 16. Rom 3:19-21,31 & 7:7-13 17. or, “Christ” - Gal 3:16 & 4:4 18. Deut 33:2 19. or, “eternal life” 20. Rom 3:10-20 21. that is, “before Christ came and died for sin” 22. that is, “we as Jews” 23. Acts 13:38-39 24. Jn 1:12 & Gal 3:7 & I Jn 3:1 25. that is, “baptized into the body of Christ via the Holy Spirit ” - Rom 6:3-4

26. I Cor 12:13 27. Rom 4:9-11

3:12 According to Paul, those who wish to gain Heaven via their “good works” ( The man that doeth them ) must keep the whole law ( shall live by them ) in order to get there ( Rom 10:5 ). However, James reminds us in James 2:10, “ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all .” Meaning: People who rely on their own “good works” ( law keeping ) for salvation place themselves under an obligation they cannot possibly meet –perfect obedience ( Mt 19:25 ). According to Paul, it is impossible to keep the whole law (Rom 3:10,23). NOTE - While it is true that God does offer people one of two ways to get to Heaven ( their way via “good works” or God’s way via “ CHRIST’S WORK ” on the cross ) only one of the two ways will eventually get us there. 3:17 This term ( the Law - Exo 20 - 1487 BC) was given to Moses 430 years after Abraham received the promise of salvation through Christ (the COVENANT ) (Gen 13:15-16 - 1917 BC). 3:19 a The Law was added 2,500 years after the promise of salvation was given to Adam and Eve ( till the SEED should come to whom the promise was made - Gen 3:15). The Law was added to reveal sin, not remove it (Rom 3:19 & 5:20). 3:19 b Whereas the Law was given indirectly to Moses through a mediator (Exo 20:19), the promise of salvation was given directly to Abraham by God. Therefore, the PROMISE is greater than the Law. 3:21 As long as people are willing to keep the whole Law (and never sin - Jms 2:10 ), their righteousness (their good works) can save them. Unfortunately, “ the scripture hath concluded all under sin ” (vs 22). NOTE - There are two ways people will attempt to enter Heaven (even though only one way will get them there): 1. Good works ( Mt 19:17 c , Lk 10: 25- 28 , Rom 7:10 & 10: 1- 5 , Gal 3: 19- 21 -22, Jn 5:29 , Heb 12:14 b and Jms 2:14 a,b ) 2. CHRIST’S WORK on the cross ( Jn 14:6 ) 3:24 The Law was not given to “save” men, but to “school” men and to show them their ignorance (thus their need for a Savior - Rom 3:10,23 a,b ). The Law was given to shut every mouth (Rom 3:19), leaving us no hope, but through Christ (Rom 10:4).