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Galatians 3

29 verses

TL;DR

The Apostle Paul argues that faith, not the Law, brings justification, using Abraham as the exemplar of faith.

Summary

In Galatians 3 Paul rebukes the Galatian believers for being misled into thinking that the Law secures righteousness. He reminds them that the Spirit comes by faith, not by works, and questions whether they have become perfected by the flesh. Using Abraham’s faith as a model, Paul shows that those who believe are heirs of Abraham’s promise and children of the covenant. He contrasts those living by the Law, who are under the curse, with those justified by faith. Paul then explains that the Law was given as a temporary guide until Christ came, serving as a tutor that leads to Christ and to the true promise of salvation by faith. Once faith is established, the Law’s role as a tutor is finished, and believers are united in Christ, transcending distinctions of Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female.

Outline
  1. 1. Paul rebukes Galatians for confusing the Law with faith; 2. Abraham’s faith demonstrates the principle of justification by faith; 3. The Law’s purpose was provisional, leading to Christ’s fulfillment of the promise.
Themes
Justification by faith versus worksThe covenant of AbrahamThe transition from the Law to the Gospel
Keywords
faithlawjustificationcovenantAbrahamChristpromiserighteousness
People
PaulJesus ChristAbrahamthe Galatians
Places
Things
LawFaithCovenantGracePromiseRighteousness
Key Verses
  • Gal 3:6-9: Shows believers as children of Abraham through faith
  • Gal 3:14: Highlights Christ as the fulfillment of the Law’s curse
  • Gal 3:24-25: Explains the Law as a tutor until faith was revealed
Questions
  • Why does Paul emphasize Abraham’s faith over the Law?
  • What is the significance of the Law being called a ‘schoolmaster’?
  • How does Paul’s argument address the cultural divide between Jews and Gentiles?
  • In what way does the Law serve as a precursor to the Gospel?
  • How can modern believers apply the principle of justification by faith?
Sentiment

neutral
Paul’s tone is reproachful but explanatory