The Life of Faith Is in the Spirit
Galatians 3, verse 1. O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? Galatians 3, verse 2. This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3, verse 3. Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3, verse 4. Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Faith Brings Sonship
Galatians 3, verse 5. Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— Galatians 3, verse 6. just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Galatians 3, verse 7. Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. Galatians 3, verse 8. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” Galatians 3, verse 9. So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Free from the Curse
Galatians 3, verse 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3, verse 11. But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3, verse 12. Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” Galatians 3, verse 13. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ), Galatians 3, verse 14. that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Sonship: Promise, Not Law
Galatians 3, verse 15. Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Galatians 3, verse 16. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. Galatians 3, verse 17. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. Galatians 3, verse 18. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
The Law Our Tutor
Galatians 3, verse 19. What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. Galatians 3, verse 20. Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. Galatians 3, verse 21. Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. Galatians 3, verse 22. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3, verse 23. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Galatians 3, verse 24. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3, verse 25. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Sonship by Faith and Baptism
Galatians 3, verse 26. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3, verse 27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3, verse 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3, verse 29. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.