The Redemption from the Curse (Galatians 3:10-14)
Main Idea of Galatians:
To defend the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification and Christian living, to assert the believer’s freedom from legalism through faith in Christ, and to call believers back to the truth of the gospel.
Questions to Consider:
What does Paul mean when he says, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse”?
What Old Testament scripture does Paul quote to support this statement? What is the significance of that quote?
How does Paul contrast the way of the law with the way of faith? What scripture does he use to describe the way of faith?
How did Christ redeem us from the curse of the law? What did He become for us?
What is the purpose of Christ’s redemption, according to verse 14?
How does this passage connect to the promise given to Abraham?
The Text:
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written,Everyone who does not do everything written in the book of the law is cursed.
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith. But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith.
– Galatians 3:10-14 (CSB)
Observations:
Verse 10: Paul states a strong principle: those who depend on their own obedience to the law are under a curse. He supports this with a quote from Deuteronomy.
Verse 11: He asserts that justification before God does not come through the law, quoting Habakkuk to highlight that the righteous live by faith.
Verse 12: Paul contrasts the principle of the law (“The one who does them shall live by them,” from Leviticus) with the principle of faith.
Verse 13: He reveals how Christ redeemed believers from the law’s curse by becoming a curse for them, referencing Deuteronomy again in the context of crucifixion.
Verse 14: Paul explains the purpose of Christ’s redemption: that the blessing promised to Abraham might extend to the Gentiles through faith, enabling them to receive the promised Spirit.
Interpretation:
The Curse of Legalism (v. 10): Paul begins with a stark declaration: “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse.” This isn’t saying that the law itself is a curse, but that those who attempt to establish their righteousness before God by their own perfect obedience to the law are in a precarious position. The standard of the law is absolute and demands perfect, continuous obedience. As Douglas J. Moo explains in his Galatians commentary (BECNT), because human beings are inherently sinful and incapable of such perfect obedience, attempting to be justified by the law inevitably leads to condemnation. Paul supports this with a quote from Deuteronomy 27:26: “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” The emphasis on “all things” and “do them” highlights the impossibility of achieving justification through legalistic efforts.
Justification by Faith, Not Law (v. 11): In contrast to the way of the law, Paul states, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law.” He then quotes Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” This verse, foundational to Paul’s theology, emphasizes that God’s way of making people righteous is not through their adherence to a set of rules, but through their trust and reliance on Him. As Thomas R. Schreiner points out in Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians, faith is the instrument by which God’s righteousness is imputed to believers.
The Contrasting Principles of Law and Faith (v. 12): Paul further clarifies the difference between the law and faith: “But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’” Here, he quotes Leviticus 18:5. The principle of the law is based on human performance and earning life through obedience. Faith, on the other hand, is about trusting in what God has done, not in what we can do. These are fundamentally different ways of relating to God.
Christ’s Redemption from the Curse (v. 13): The crucial turning point of the passage is found in verse 13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” The word “redeemed” (ϵξαγοράζω – exagorazō) implies a purchase or a ransom, signifying that Christ paid a price to free believers from the law’s condemnation. Astonishingly, He did this “by becoming a curse for us.” This refers to the fact that on the cross, Christ bore the penalty for our sin, which was the curse of the law. Paul again quotes Deuteronomy 21:23, which speaks of anyone hung on a tree as being cursed by God. By taking this cursed form, Christ absorbed the wrath of God due to our failure to keep the law.
The Extension of Abraham’s Blessing (v. 14): Paul concludes by stating the purpose of Christ’s redemptive act: “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” The “blessing of Abraham” includes justification by faith and the promises of the covenant. Through Christ’s sacrifice, this blessing is now extended to the Gentiles (non-Jews) who believe. Furthermore, the ultimate promise to Abraham, which included the gift of the Holy Spirit (as seen in the context of the new covenant), is also received through faith in Christ. The Spirit is the evidence of our adoption into God’s family and the guarantee of our inheritance.
Application:
Recognize the Impossibility of Legalistic Justification: Understand that no one can achieve true righteousness before God by perfectly obeying the law. Our sinfulness makes this an unattainable goal.
Embrace Christ as Your Redemption: Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only one who could and did redeem us from the curse of the law by taking our place and bearing our penalty on the cross.
Live by Faith in Christ: Rely completely on Christ’s finished work for your justification and acceptance with God. Do not try to supplement His grace with your own efforts to keep the law.
Rejoice in the Blessing Extended to All: Celebrate the fact that through Christ, the blessings promised to Abraham are now available to all people, regardless of their background, through faith.
Treasure the Gift of the Spirit: Recognize the Holy Spirit as the promised gift that marks you as belonging to Christ and empowers you for Christian living.
Connection to the Main Idea:
This passage is central to Paul’s defense of the gospel of grace. He powerfully contrasts the futility of seeking justification through the law with the sufficiency of justification by faith in Christ. By explaining how Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law, Paul underscores the believer’s freedom from legalism and highlights that the blessings of salvation, including the promised Spirit, are received through faith, just as Abraham was justified by faith.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
This entire passage is intensely Christ-centered:
Christ is the Redeemer: He is the one who purchased our freedom from the curse of the law.
Christ Became a Curse for Us: He bore the penalty of our sin on the cross.
Christ is the Mediator of Abraham’s Blessing: Through Him, the blessings promised to Abraham come to the Gentiles.
Christ is the One Through Whom We Receive the Spirit: The promised Holy Spirit is received by faith in Him.
Summary:
Galatians 3:10-14 reveals the fundamental difference between the way of the law, which leads to a curse because of our inability to perfectly obey, and the way of faith, which brings justification. Christ, through His death on the cross, redeemed believers from this curse by becoming a curse for them. As a result, the blessing promised to Abraham, including the gift of the Holy Spirit, is now available to all who believe in Jesus Christ through faith.
Be Intentional:
Reflect on whether you are consciously relying on Christ’s redemptive work for your standing before God, or if you still feel the need to earn His approval through your own efforts.
Consider the weight of the curse from which Christ has freed you. How does this understanding shape your gratitude and love for Him?
Intentionally choose to live by faith in Christ this week, trusting in His finished work rather than your own attempts to measure up to God’s standards.
Ask Yourself:
Do I truly believe that I am free from the curse of the law because of what Christ has done for me?
In what specific areas of my life am I still trying to earn God’s favor through my actions rather than resting in His grace?
How does the fact that the blessing of Abraham has come to all through faith in Christ impact my view of others and my desire to share the gospel?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony & Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (CCE) (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary).
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT) (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT) (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians.
White, A. Blake. Galatians: A Theological Interpretation (GTI).
