Comments on Galatians 3 :: 2 of 9

The next verse that we come to is the 13th, here is another “stone of stumbling” to many, but with an understanding of the 10th verse, it is impossible to go wrong on this. We quote it with the 14th: —“For Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, ‘Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree; that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

What is the curse of the law? Is it obedience to the law? No; for it is written, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3

The psalmist also says: “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” Psalm 119:1. Now if the keeping of the law is a blessing, disobedience, with its consequences, must be the curse. And so Paul, after warning the Ephesians against whoredom, covetousness, and idolatry, says: “For because of these things the wrath of God . . . curse of God cometh upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6. And “the wages of sin is death.” So “the curse of the law” is death.

That death is the curse, from which Christ has redeemed us, is evident from the latter part of the thirteenth verse. He redeemed us from the curse by being made a curse for us, and the curse, which he suffered, was his death, —being hanged on a tree, which was absolutely necessary that Christ should be made in all respects like those whom he would redeem. Hebrews 2:17. He came to save sinners; therefore he was counted as a sinner. Isaiah 53:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21. And being found in fashion as a man, he suffered the curse which hung over guilty man. He died that we might live. And because he was made a curse for us, we may all through faith share in the blessing of Abraham.

“Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannuls or adds thereto. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promise made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy Seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:15, 16

Here the apostle introduces a new point, the conclusion of the argument being, as stated in verse 21. That the law is not against the promises of God. He makes the positive and unquestionable statement that if a covenant be once confirmed it cannot afterwards be altered. Now the covenant was confirmed to Abraham by “two immutable things [God’s promise and his oath] in which it was impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:15-18); therefore, as is stated in Galatians 3:17, the law given from Sinai four hundred and thirty years after, cannot make the promise void, nor destroy the fact that the inheritance is solely by promise. Thus the main idea of the chapter, that God’s grace as manifested in Christ is man’s sole hope, is kept prominent. 

But there is still another point which we should not fail to consider in connection with the Galatians 3:17. 1. Although the law “was four hundred and thirty years after” the covenant with Abraham, it was nevertheless in existence at that time, and long before, and was the basis of that covenant. Said