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Galatians 3 (asv)

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Law or Faith

3:1O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? 3:2This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3:3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh? 3:4Did ye suffer so many things in vain? if it be indeed in vain. 3:5He therefore that supplieth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3:6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 3:7Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. 3:9So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 3:11Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith; 3:12and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. 3:13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 3:14that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Promise to Abraham

3:15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. 3:16Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 3:17Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. 3:18For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.

The Purpose of the Law

3:19What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 3:20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.

3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law. 3:22But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 3:23But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 3:24So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.3:25But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor. 3:26For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 3:27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. 3:28There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.1 3:29And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.


Notes:

  1. There is no longer ... This is known as "the Baptismal Reunification Formula. Jim Wallis writes "the three barriers named correspond to the most historic divisions between human beings: race, class, and gender." Wallis, Jim; The (Un)Common Good: How the Gospel Brings Hope to a World Divided. p.112.

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Preceding Entry: Galatians 2
Following Entry: Galatians 4