Galatians 3:10-14

Galatians 3:10-14
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.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 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”); that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Review: True Descendants of Abraham and Justification by Faith

Last time in Galatians, we examined how a person becomes a true descendant of Abraham. It is those who share Abraham's faith who are the genuine children of God.

We also saw the essential instrument of justification: faith. The only way to be declared righteous, to be right with God, to stand before Him guiltless, is by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross.

Justification is that legal declaration. In the courtroom of God, with Him as Judge, He slams the gavel based on the blood of Jesus Christ, His work and intercession, and the faith given to you. He declares you not guilty, innocent, as having satisfied the full demands of God's law—even though you didn't, but Jesus did in your place.

The Curse and the Blessing: Gospel Life vs. Legalistic Life

Tonight, in verses 10-14, Paul presents a comparison between two antithetical concepts: the curse and the blessing. These represent the gospel life versus a legalistic life.

Legalism is the belief that salvation demands and depends on obedience to God's law—trying to earn God's favor through our works.

Paul is removing a prideful, self-righteous view of salvation and service, replacing it with an attitude that maximizes the gospel and the grace of God.

We must preach the gospel so vividly that it's as if the Galatians are witnessing their Savior's sacrifice firsthand. This passage maximizes God's grace—viewing it fully as His unmerited favor, His empowering love that enables us to live the gospel life.

John Piper said of Galatians: “The reason the book of Galatians has such a dynamite, life-changing message is that it pronounces a curse from God—not on atheistic or agnostic outsiders, but on professing Christians who try to serve God in a way that diminishes His grace and cultivates their own pride.”

This passage does not promote Christian apathy. There is a balance: we do not earn God's favor, but we are not idle either. It shows a way to be cursed and a way to be blessed.

1. Paul's Method of Avoiding the Curse

Paul tells us how people incur the curse and what it is.

Galatians 3:10
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.”

Those who rely on works of the law—legalism—are under a curse. This provides the foundation for Paul's argument in Galatians 5:3.

The Judaizers in Galatia imposed circumcision and dietary laws as means to gain God's favor. Today, people rely on baptism, Sabbath-keeping, or Hebrew traditions like new moons, festivals, or ritualistic prayers—forms of legalism.

Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5: If you attempt justification by the law, you are obligated to obey the entire law perfectly—not just 10 commandments, but over 613 in the Pentateuch alone.

James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all.

Paul refutes the Judaizers' distortion, as Jesus did. True adherence to Moses points to Christ: “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46).

Examples today include Seventh-day Adventists fixating on the Sabbath or others on circumcision or diets. You cannot pick one commandment; it must be the whole law, perfectly, by everyone—which no one can do. Thus, all under law are cursed.

A curse means being under God's wrath, deserving judgment. Jesus became that curse for us.

Deuteronomy 21:23
Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.

We deserved death for our sins, but Jesus, who was sinless and perfectly pleasing to the Father, took our curse.

The opposite is blessing: being under God's favor, receiving undeserved eternal life.

Galatians 3:11
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”

This is obvious, quoting Habakkuk 2:4 (also Galatians 2:4, Hebrews 10:38). It refutes legalists.

Habakkuk 2:4
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.

The proud legalist appears perfect externally but is rotten inside. The just live by faith, not pride. Pride leads to destruction; faith endures.

Galatians 3:12
Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

Quoting Leviticus 18:5 again. God commanded obedience, but not as a means to ignore Him. The law reveals our inability, pointing to Christ as schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24).

Leviticus emphasizes God's holiness and His sanctifying His people: “Be holy, for I am holy... I am the Lord your God who sanctifies you” (Leviticus 20:24, 26).

The law demands perfect obedience we cannot achieve apart from God. It exposes sin, helplessness, and drives us to faith in Christ, who fulfilled it perfectly.

2. Paul's Method of Receiving the Blessings

Galatians 3:13-14
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”); that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Christ redeemed us—purchased us from the curse with His blood. The blessing of Abraham (justification, eternal life) comes to Gentiles through faith, resulting in receiving the promised Spirit.

Leviticus' goal: God gets us, we get God—fellowship through Christ's bearing the Father's wrath.

Ezekiel 36:27
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.

Obedience flows from salvation, empowered by the Spirit—not to earn it.

3. Living the Gospel Life

The Judaizers pulled people from God, opposing the Spirit's power for gospel living.

1. God's Reputation Matters More Than Yours

Luke 18:11-14
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men... I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” ... And the tax collector... would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” ... This man went down to his house justified.

Legalists boast in themselves and bash others—detestable to God (Luke 16:15). The justified beg for mercy, like Isaiah: “I am undone... a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6).

Grace recipients glory in God's mercy, not their works.

2. Let Scripture Teach, Not Man-Made Traditions

Matthew 15:3,6
“Why do you... transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? ... Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.”

Mark 7:9
You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone take you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men... and not according to Christ.

Scripture centers on Christ. Traditions invalidate God's Word and make Christ's cross needless.

3. Salvation Results in Fellowship with God, Not Pride

If your Christianity hinders fellowship with God, it's wrong. The goal: receiving the Spirit through faith for communion with Him.

4. Grace Maximization Leads to Gospel Living

Grace transforms desires, feelings, thoughts from the inside by the Spirit—not external efforts to impress God. “God is God, and I am not.” Let Him transform you.