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Galatians 3:12
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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.  
17 And this I say, that the law, awhich was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God1 in Christ, bthat it should make the promise of no effect.  
18 For if athe inheritance is of the law, bit is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  

Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose then does the law serve? aIt was added because of transgressions, till the bSeed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was cappointed through angels by the hand dof a mediator.  
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, abut God is one.  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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<< Galatians 3:11   Galatians 3:13 >>

What Does Galatians 3:12 Mean?



Galatians 3:12

If we were able to "do" the entire law—in the letter and the spirit—we could then "live" by that means. Paul shows that it does not require faith to keep the law in the letter—anybody can compare an action against a list of dos and don'ts and see if the action is allowed. It requires much more to keep the law in the spirit perfectly. It requires a full measure of God's Spirit working within the person. But simply to abide by a law does not require any faith in a Savior, so if this life were just about strictly adhering to a list of requirements in their letter, Christ would have died in vain.

Romans 8:7 says that the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God—that is, it will not submit itself to God's law. But there is ample evidence that unconverted man can live according to regulations in a Pharisaic manner. Romans 7:14 adds more to the equation by showing that God's law is a spiritual law—there is an intent behind it, as well as the most direct application. This was what Christ was endeavoring to show in Matthew 5:20-48. So for us to be justified before God, we would have to completely fulfill the law—live according to the letter and the spirit. But that is a logical impossibility without means of the Holy Spirit.

This is why justification by faith is a necessity: We need God's Spirit to fulfill this spiritual law, but God will not give His Spirit to someone who does not willingly submit to Him and obey Him. This is why God would not allow Adam and Eve access to the Tree of Life after they had sinned, because He knew that their natures had become corrupt, and He was not willing that a corrupt being be given His Spirit—His power. A paradox results, and the only way out of the deadlock is for God to bring a person into alignment with Him by substituting the perfect life of His Son for ours in a legal action. Once that justification has taken place, then a measure of His Spirit can be given, and the person can begin to keep His law in both the letter and the intent.

David C. Grabbe

Related Topics: Holy Spirit | Justification | Justification by Faith | Justification by Works | Law Keeping | Lawkeeping | Letter of the Law | Living by Faith | Spirit of the Law | Spiritual Law



Galatians 3:12-14

Even though the law can guide a person in the right way to live, and even though it describes the character of God, it also condemns and brings one guilty before God through an awareness of sin. However, it does not possess the power to forgive, to justify, or to give life.

It takes a living Personality—the Giver and the Enforcer of the law—to forgive, to justify, and to give life. The law can do nothing to reverse the condemnation—the curse—once it is incurred through sin, but Christ took the curse upon Himself so that we do not have to bear our own punishment. The Father, in His mercy, permits His death to apply for us. He forgives and justifies us, if we accept Christ's death on our behalf with true repentance and faith.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Six)

Related Topics: Awareness of Sin | Curse | Curse of Sin | Forgiveness | Forgiveness of Sins | Jesus Christ's Sacrifice | Justification | Justification through Christ's Sacrifice | Law Defines Sin | Law Illuminating Sin | Repentance | Sin, Awareness of




Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Galatians 3:12:

Galatians 3:19


 
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