Galatians 3:1-13 Discussion

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Galatians 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?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He 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.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And 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.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For 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.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 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 hangeth on a tree:

There are a number of things to discuss in this passage:
1) So, did you receive the Holy Spirit by following the law of Moses?
a) If so, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
b) If not, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
2) What is meant by beginning in the Spirit and completing it with the flesh?
3) Why is there a question about suffering being in vain in verse 4?
4) For any Miracles, Signs, Healings or other acts of God experienced in your life, was this done because you followed a set of rules, or according to your faith?
5) Explain the connection between faith and righteousness in verse 6 to 9
6) If Christians follow the law today, are they also under a curse, or was Paul just exaggerating?
7) In verse 12 it is said that the law is not of faith, does this mean you need to choose one?
8) Since Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?
 

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?

It's the CURSE of the Law that we have been liberated from. Christ made clear that it still stood as a standard of right and wrong behavior.
 
Upvote 0

Elixir

Active Member
Supporter
Jun 13, 2019
57
78
Mississippi
✟14,306.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
1) No, no matter how well I followed. Being spiritually dead I could not save myself.
a) -
b) It seemed to start with my complete surrender to and confession of His Lordship, even my unbelief and doubt, over a discord chat back in December. It hasn't been smooth sailing since either, I even had times afterward where I had to talk with God and turn over still lingering seeds of bitter resentment in my heart. It's been a work of God teaching me Love, what I've never been able to even fathom before because it was not even in me and I would have been too blind to see.

2) Seems to indicate the very real possibility of backsliding back into old/carnal nature.

3) Because I think it's spoken elsewhere that it may be counted for righteousness, but that would be lost too were one to go back to the ways of the flesh after tasting of the spirit.

4) In part faith, in part I think each of us experiences things here and there along the way from God, unique and personal to us, as a part of our individual calling / mission to that purpose.

5) Abraham believed in the One True God and it was counted for righteousness, so too it can be for everyone. But this may refer also to idols, false gods and attachments to worldly things that one would put in place of God, that would similarly ensue counting for faithlessness.

6) Breaking the curse requires faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, whereby the indwelling of the Holy Spirit transforms us. Keeping His commandments is a part of our walk I have to say, but still then not walking after Him and returning to the ways of the flesh, the old law would condemn one.

7) Keeping the law is not a way out of its curse, I think this is a safe-guard against trying to bargain with God. But if one were to awaken in faith with keeping the commandments out of love, then it is faith that saves.

8) Curse of the law I think may refer to what comes of the Old Covenant. The New Covenant commandments still apply though. The main thing, though, in keeping the greatest commandment to love, we are transformed by the Holy Spirit (as God is Love) into the likeness of Christ and do all things in love. There is no desire to sin any more, but still there is a choice to do it anyway and doing so can make one fall back into the ways of the flesh.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
It's the CURSE of the Law that we have been liberated from. Christ made clear that it still stood as a standard of right and wrong behavior.
So what's Paul talking about in the passage then, what you're saying seems to indicate it is incorrect.
 
Upvote 0

eleos1954

God is Love
Supporter
Nov 14, 2017
9,698
5,613
Utah
✟713,373.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Galatians 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?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He 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.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And 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.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For 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.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 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 hangeth on a tree:

There are a number of things to discuss in this passage:
1) So, did you receive the Holy Spirit by following the law of Moses?
a) If so, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
b) If not, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
2) What is meant by beginning in the Spirit and completing it with the flesh?
3) Why is there a question about suffering being in vain in verse 4?
4) For any Miracles, Signs, Healings or other acts of God experienced in your life, was this done because you followed a set of rules, or according to your faith?
5) Explain the connection between faith and righteousness in verse 6 to 9
6) If Christians follow the law today, are they also under a curse, or was Paul just exaggerating?
7) In verse 12 it is said that the law is not of faith, does this mean you need to choose one?
8) Since Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?

It's important to note which "law" is being talked about here ... and that is found in verse 10 ... the book of the law ... is the law of Moses

We learn from Galatians 3:17 and 19 that “the law” was “added” “four hundred and thirty years” after God’s covenant with Abraham. This “law” was added “because of transgressions.” We also learned in verse 22 that the Scripture confined everybody “under sin.” Sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4). The physical law referred to in Galatians 3 was added because people had sinned—because they had transgressed God’s spiritual Law (Romans 7:14) of the Ten Commandments.

Paul’s use of the word “law” in the third chapter of the book of Galatians then does not relate to the Ten Commandments at all, but to an altogether different set of rules–the sacrificial law SYSTEM which was added some time after Moses had brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt (compare Jeremiah 7:21-23).
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Paul’s use of the word “law” in the third chapter of the book of Galatians then does not relate to the Ten Commandments at all

That doesn't follow, the reference to the curse situates it as the law of Moses.

God wouldn't curse people for not following rules they made up themselves. The only law in existence that curses people who try to follow it because they cannot follow the whole thing is the law of Moses.

The ten commandments is part of the first 5 books, so it's in there.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Hank77
Upvote 0

eleos1954

God is Love
Supporter
Nov 14, 2017
9,698
5,613
Utah
✟713,373.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
That doesn't follow, the reference to the curse situates it as the law of Moses.

God wouldn't curse people for not following rules they made up themselves. The only law in existence that curses people who try to follow it because they cannot follow the whole thing is the law of Moses.

The ten commandments is part of the first 5 books, so it's in there.

Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (NIV) After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you

Separate from the 10, that were placed INSIDE the ark of the covenant, under the mercy seat, protected by the throne of God.

1 Kings 8:9
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.


Revelation 21

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.

What is the ark of His covenant? What covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant is a chest that held/holds the tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (NIV) After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you

Separate from the 10, that were placed INSIDE the ark of the covenant, under the mercy seat, protected by the throne of God.

1 Kings 8:9
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 5:10
There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt.


Revelation 21

Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.

What is the ark of His covenant? What covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant is a chest that held/holds the tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments.
Sounds like a lot of back story. The law is the law. The old covenant was a written law, this is now a new covenant.
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: eleos1954
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
So what's Paul talking about in the passage then, what you're saying seems to indicate it is incorrect.
Apparently he is saying that those who persist in thinking that keeping the Law is the way to redemption will be condemned by it since no man is capable of keeping the Law.

Jesus speaks to the Law's importance in Matthew 5 and Paul's comments are to be found in several other places: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Romans 7:12 and Romans 7:22.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Apparently he is saying that those who persist in thinking that keeping the Law is the way to redemption will be condemned by it since no man is capable of keeping the Law.

Jesus speaks to the Law's importance in Matthew 5 and Paul's comments are to be found in several other places: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Romans 7:12 and Romans 7:22.
There's also chapters such as Colossians 2, so perhaps being transformed grace to grace is the order of the day? We're saved by faith, and should also live by faith?

Or should we perfect in the flesh what was started in the Spirit?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

1213

Disciple of Jesus
Jul 14, 2011
3,661
1,117
Visit site
✟146,199.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Galatians 3

2) What is meant by beginning in the Spirit and completing it with the flesh?


5) Explain the connection between faith and righteousness in verse 6 to 9

6) If Christians follow the law today, are they also under a curse, or was Paul just exaggerating?

7) In verse 12 it is said that the law is not of faith, does this mean you need to choose one?

8) Since Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?

I understand the point is this, people are not saved from the judgment because of their works, but because of God’s mercy. If someone thinks that by obeying the law he could earn the forgiveness, it is wrong. Law should not be obeyed to earn salvation. Right reason to obey the law is that person understands it is good and therefore wants to do so. And I think in that is the difference between unrighteous and righteous.

Righteousness is wisdom of the just, right understanding which makes person do freely right things. Righteous person is faithful/loyal to God, because he understands it is good and right, not because he tries to earn salvation. If person obeys the law because he tries to earn with it, then it is not good and it can be like a curse to the person.
 
Upvote 0

eleos1954

God is Love
Supporter
Nov 14, 2017
9,698
5,613
Utah
✟713,373.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Sounds like a lot of back story. The law is the law. The old covenant was a written law, this is now a new covenant.

The ark of His covenant containing the ten are in His sanctuary in Heaven as stated in Revelation 11:19

The sanctuary in heaven .... the REAL one

Revelation 11:19
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Hebrews 9:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands (the old earthly sanctuary), which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Hebrews 8:2
A minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up (in heaven), not man.

The earthly temples/sanctuaries were copies of the Heavenly one.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
The ark of His covenant containing the ten are in His sanctuary in Heaven as stated in Revelation 11:19

The sanctuary in heaven .... the REAL one

Revelation 11:19
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Hebrews 9:24 ESV / 7 helpful votes
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands (the old earthly sanctuary), which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Hebrews 8:2
A minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up (in heaven), not man.

The earthly temples/sanctuaries were copies of the Heavenly one.
The copy or shadow pointed to Christ, that much is clear from the New Testament teachings.

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, the old covenant was nailed there with Him, since He became the basis to replace the written code. As it was written of this covenant by Jeremiah, no one will say to their neighbour "know the Lord" since they will all know me from the least to the greatest.

The written code is replaced with a nature indwelling us, written onto the table of our hearts.
 
Upvote 0

eleos1954

God is Love
Supporter
Nov 14, 2017
9,698
5,613
Utah
✟713,373.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
The copy or shadow pointed to Christ, that much is clear from the New Testament teachings.

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, the old covenant was nailed there with Him, since He became the basis to replace the written code. As it was written of this covenant by Jeremiah, no one will say to their neighbour "know the Lord" since they will all know me from the least to the greatest.

The written code is replaced with a nature indwelling us, written onto the table of our hearts.

with a nature indwelling us .... and what is that nature?

A nature not bent towards sin (transgression of the law) and Christ is working in us to that end and HE will complete HIS work in us.

Hebrews 10:6

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Romans 7

7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
with a nature indwelling us .... and what is that nature?

A nature not bent towards sin (transgression of the law) and Christ is working in us to that end and HE will complete HIS work in us.

Hebrews 10:6

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Romans 7

7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."
I think the main issue remaining is results.

Colossians 2
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using; ) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

So relying on Jesus and the Indwelling Holy Spirit instead of a list of rules, is the way to go.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Wordkeeper

Newbie
Oct 1, 2013
4,285
477
✟83,580.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Galatians 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?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He 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.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And 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.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For 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.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 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 hangeth on a tree:

There are a number of things to discuss in this passage:
1) So, did you receive the Holy Spirit by following the law of Moses?
a) If so, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
b) If not, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
2) What is meant by beginning in the Spirit and completing it with the flesh?
3) Why is there a question about suffering being in vain in verse 4?
4) For any Miracles, Signs, Healings or other acts of God experienced in your life, was this done because you followed a set of rules, or according to your faith?
5) Explain the connection between faith and righteousness in verse 6 to 9
6) If Christians follow the law today, are they also under a curse, or was Paul just exaggerating?
7) In verse 12 it is said that the law is not of faith, does this mean you need to choose one?
8) Since Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?
1) So, did you receive the Holy Spirit by following the law of Moses?
No.

a) If so, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
No.

b) If not, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
By being loyal to God. Faith should be translated as loyalty.

2) What is meant by beginning in the Spirit and completing it with the flesh?
The Galatians were being misled by judaizers that to be made blessings to the world they need to be circumcised. Paul taught that they had begun to be blessings to the world by receiving the Holy Spirit through loyalty. If they were then allowing themselves to be misled by the judaisers to revert back to religious systems that were created to appease God, then they were going back to fleshly ways. Abraham had become a member of God’s people by being loyal to God, so the children of Abraham are recognised by loyalty. Abraham was further asked to adopt circumcision, a symbol that humanities sins would be paid by a death. Cursed be the man who is hung from a tree. It was not a sign of righteousness. Abraham had already been seen as righteous, through loyalty to God.

3) Why is there a question about suffering being in vain in verse 4?
While being loyal, rejecting the ways of the world, many hardships were encountered, some even from their own families. Now if they adopted fleshly ways to become blessings to the world, all they had suffered would be waste.

4) For any Miracles, Signs, Healings or other acts of God experienced in your life, was this done because you followed a set of rules, or according to your faith?
From being loyal to Christ.

5) Explain the connection between faith and righteousness in verse 6 to 9


6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Abraham's belief was recognised as loyalty and God credited it him as a righteous act.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
The children of Abraham, those who will become blessing to the world through being in Christ, will be accepted through their loyalty to God.

8 And 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.
Israel was cut off, and heathens were made the means by which the world would be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
So those who are loyal to God are blessed in the same way as Abraham.
......

6) If Christians follow the law today, are they also under a curse, or was Paul just exaggerating?


Sure, the curse is that to be blessed, the entire law must be followed, but in the Old Covenant, this was impossible. See how it is possible in James 2 in the New Covenant. All the person had to do was to be loyal to Christ. So we are saved by grace through loyalty, not works of the law. If you go back to works of the law, try to be saved by becoming a Jew, then you are under their curse. The works of the law could never save, especially by doing only the minor works and not doing the more important matters of the law.

7) In verse 12 it is said that the law is not of faith, does this mean you need to choose one?
The law is not of faith because it depends on entitlement. The Jews insisted that they were going to be the blessings to the world, because they were Abraham's children, through circumcision. Not so, said Christ, and Paul. The children of Abraham are recognised by being loyal to God, like Cornelius, who feared God and did what was right.

8) Since Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, is there a point in following it anymore?

No. God's command to Abraham, a Gentile, to adopt circumcision shows that Christ redeemed not only Jews, but also Gentiles from religious systems with their attempts to appease God.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0