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Galatians 3:8
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6 just as Abraham a“believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  
7 Therefore know that only athose who are of faith are sons of Abraham.  
8 And athe Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, b“In you all the nations shall be blessed.”  
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The Law Brings a Curse

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, a“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”  
11 But that no one is1 justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for a“the just shall live by faith.”  
12 Yet athe law is not of faith, but b“the man who does them shall live by them.”  
13 aChrist has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, b“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 
14 athat the blessing of Abraham might come upon the bGentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive cthe promise of the Spirit through faith.  

The Changeless Promise

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: aThough it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.  
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of aone, b“And to your Seed,” who is cChrist.  
Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
<< Galatians 3:7   Galatians 3:9 >>


Galatians 3:8

And—Greek, "Moreover."

foreseeing—One great excellency of Scripture is, that in it all points liable ever to be controverted, are, with prescient wisdom, decided in the most appropriate language.

would justify—rather, "justifieth." Present indicative. It is now, and at all times, God's one way of justification.

the heathen—rather, "the Gentiles"; or "the nations," as the same Greek is translated at the end of the verse. God justifieth the Jews, too, "by faith, not by works." But he specifies the Gentiles in particular here, as it was their case that was in question, the Galatians being Gentiles.

preached before the gospel—"announced beforehand the Gospel." For the "promise" was substantially the Gospel by anticipation. Compare John 8:56; Hebrews 4:2. A proof that "the old fathers did not look only for transitory promises" [Article VII, Church of England]. Thus the Gospel, in its essential germ, is older than the law though the full development of the former is subsequent to the latter.

In thee—not "in thy seed," which is a point not here raised; but strictly "in thee," as followers of thy faith, it having first shown the way to justification before God [ALFORD]; or "in thee," as Father of the promised seed, namely, Christ (Galatians 3:16), who is the Object of faith (Genesis 22:18; Psalms 72:17), and imitating thy faith (see on Galatians 3:9).

all nations—or as above, "all the Gentiles" (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18).

be blessed—an act of grace, not something earned by works. The blessing of justification was to Abraham by faith in the promise, not by works. So to those who follow Abraham, the father of the faithful, the blessing, that is, justification, comes purely by faith in Him who is the subject of the promise.




Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Galatians 3:8:

Acts 3:25
1 Corinthians 13:2
Galatians 3:6
Galatians 3:14
Galatians 3:20
Galatians 3:22
Revelation 10:7

 

<< Galatians 3:7   Galatians 3:9 >>

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