Galatians 3

Galatians 3 intensifies Paul’s defense of justification by faith, confronting the Galatian churches’ drift toward legalism under Judaizers’ influence. Written around AD 48–49, likely from Syrian Antioch or during his first missionary journey, Paul argues that faith in Christ, not the law, brings salvation and the Spirit. He uses Abraham’s example, Scripture, and the law’s purpose to affirm the gospel of grace for all believers.
Key Sections
Faith and the Spirit (3:1–5): Paul rebukes the Galatians for being “bewitched” into thinking the law completes their faith. They received the Spirit by faith, not works, as evidenced by miracles among them. Their reliance on the law is foolish, abandoning the gospel they began with.
Abraham’s Example (3:6–9): Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6), not works. Those who share his faith are his children, blessed with him. Scripture foresaw Gentiles’ justification by faith, as God promised Abraham, “All nations will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3).
Curse of the Law vs. Blessing of Faith (3:10–14): The law curses those who fail to keep it perfectly (Deuteronomy 27:26). Christ redeemed believers from this curse by becoming a curse on the cross (Deuteronomy 21:23), enabling Gentiles to receive the Spirit through faith, fulfilling Abraham’s blessing.
Priority of the Promise (3:15–18): God’s promise to Abraham predates the law by 430 years and cannot be annulled. The promise was to Abraham’s “seed” (Christ), not many, so inheritance comes through faith in Christ, not law-keeping.
Purpose of the Law (3:19–25): The law, given through angels and a mediator (Moses), was temporary, added because of transgressions until Christ came. It was a guardian, imprisoning all under sin, leading to faith in Christ, who justifies apart from the law.
Unity in Christ (3:26–29): Through faith, all are God’s children, baptized into Christ, clothed with Him. Jew, Gentile, slave, free, male, female—all are one in Christ, heirs of Abraham’s promise.
Cross-References
Faith and the Spirit: 
Romans 3:28: Justified by faith.

Acts 2:38–39: Spirit by faith.

Ephesians 1:13–14: Sealed by the Spirit.
Abraham’s Faith: 
Genesis 15:6: Credited as righteousness.

Romans 4:3–5: Abraham’s justification.

Hebrews 11:8–10: Faith of Abraham.
Curse and Redemption: 
Deuteronomy 21:23: Cursed on a tree.

Romans 5:8–9: Christ’s death justifies.

1 Peter 2:24: Bore our sins.
Promise to Abraham: 
Genesis 12:3: Blessing to all nations.

Acts 3:25–26: Promise through Christ.

Romans 4:16–17: Heir by faith.
Law’s Purpose: 
Romans 7:7: Law reveals sin.

1 Timothy 1:8–9: Law for the lawless.

Hebrews 10:1: Law as a shadow.
Unity in Christ: 
Colossians 3:11: No distinction in Christ.

Romans 10:12: Same Lord for all.

Ephesians 2:14–16: One new humanity.
Theological Meaning
Justification by Faith: Faith in Christ, not law-keeping, makes one right with God, as with Abraham (3:6; Romans 5:1).

Spirit by Faith: The Spirit’s presence confirms salvation, received through faith, not works (3:2; Acts 10:44–45).

Law’s Curse: The law condemns, as no one keeps it perfectly; Christ’s death frees believers (3:13; Romans 8:1).

Promise Over Law: God’s covenant with Abraham, fulfilled in Christ, precedes and surpasses the law (3:17; Hebrews 8:6).

Law as Guardian: The law restrained sin and pointed to Christ, no longer needed post-faith (3:24; Romans 10:4).

Universal Salvation: Faith unites all in Christ, making them Abraham’s heirs, transcending all divisions (3:28; Romans 4:11–12).
Questions and Answers
Why call the Galatians “bewitched” (3:1)?
They were deceived into adding law to faith, abandoning the clear gospel (3:1; Galatians 1:6–7).

How was Abraham justified (3:6)?
By faith in God’s promise, credited as righteousness (3:6; Genesis 15:6).

What is the law’s curse (3:10)?
Condemnation for failing to obey every command perfectly (3:10; James 2:10).

How did Christ redeem us (3:13)?
By becoming a curse on the cross, absorbing the law’s penalty (3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Why was the law given (3:19)?
To reveal sin and restrain it until Christ, the promised Seed, came (3:19; Romans 3:20).

What does “one in Christ” mean (3:28)?
All believers, regardless of status or ethnicity, share equal standing as God’s heirs (3:28; Ephesians 4:4–6).

How does this apply today?
Trust faith alone for salvation, reject legalism, and embrace unity in Christ (3:11; Colossians 2:16–17).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to Galatian churches (Acts 13–14) facing Judaizers’ pressure to adopt circumcision and the law (Galatians 1:6–7), this chapter defends the gospel’s sufficiency. Galatia’s Gentile believers (Acts 14:1) were confused by Jewish legalism (3:2). Paul’s reference to Abraham (3:6) appealed to Jewish roots, while Gentile inclusion (3:14) countered exclusion (Acts 15:1). The law’s role (3:19) clarified its temporary nature (Acts 13:39).

Cultural Questions: “Bewitched” (3:1) evokes Galatia’s superstitious culture, prone to spiritual deception (Acts 14:11–13). Abraham’s faith (3:6) was a Jewish cornerstone, reframed for Gentiles (Romans 4:9–10). The “curse” (3:10) reflects Jewish understanding of law’s demands (Deuteronomy 28:15). “Seed” (3:16) uses Jewish interpretive precision (Genesis 22:18). “Guardian” (3:24) mirrors Greco-Roman tutors for minors (Romans 2:20). Unity (3:28) challenged Galatia’s ethnic tensions (Acts 14:2).

Application: Galatians 3 calls believers to rely on faith in Christ, rejecting works-based salvation, and to live as unified heirs. It challenges legalism and division, urging trust in the Spirit and the gospel’s universal reach in a performance-driven world (Romans 1:16–17; Ephesians 2:8–9).