Daily Scripture Reading Galatians 3:1-22

There are numerous commands in the first five books of the Bible, particularly Exodus and Leviticus, as well as many books of the New Testament. Most believers acknowledge the reality that Christians should obey God. Some Christians believe every command in the Bible, including the tenets of the Law of Moses, should be obeyed throughout all history, including in the 21st century.

This was a prominent belief in the 1st century AD. There were Jewish Christians in the 1st century AD who insisted Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. Paul was confronted by those people on numerous occasions. He wrote the book of Galatians to refute their teaching, and his position has application to our lives today.

In the 2nd chapter of Galatians, Paul wrote about a trip to Jerusalem, during which Titus was not compelled to be circumcised since he was a Greek believer, not a Jewish believer. Paul used that as proof that Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law. Paul emphasized that teaching by recounting how Cephas had dined with Gentiles when he was in Antioch.

Gal. 3:1 ¶ O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

Gal. 3:2 This is the only thing I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

This was a rhetorical question. The believers in Galatia did not become Christians through obeying the Law of Moses.

Gal. 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Apparently, some Christians in Galatia believed Gentile Christians had to become circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. Paul wrote this letter to correct their false belief.

Gal. 3:4 Did you suffer so many things for nothing—if indeed it was for nothing?

Note the word “suffer”. The 13th and 14th chapters of Acts record Paul’s first visits to the cities in Galatia, when he and Barnabas planted those churches. The non-believing Jews were strongly opposed to Paul’s message and caused much civil disturbance, which would have had negative repercussions upon the Jewish and Gentile believers. The believers endured the suffering, but now they were abandoning the truth that Gentile believers did not need to follow the Mosaic Law.

Gal. 3:5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

This is another rhetorical question. The Gentile believers in the region of Galatia received the Spirit and many benefits of miracles without being circumcised. Paul used that fact as proof that it was not necessary for them to become circumcised.

Gal. 3:6 ¶ Just as Abraham BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,

This is a quotation from Genesis 15:6. The circumcision of Abraham is recorded in Genesis 17. Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised; therefore, it is not necessary to be circumcised in order to be saved.

Gal. 3:7 so know that those who are of faith, those are sons of Abraham.

Gal. 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”

This is a quotation from Genesis 12:3 All nations are blessed through Abraham because it is through Jesus, a descendant of Abraham, that all men receive salvation.

Gal. 3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Gal. 3:10 ¶ For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse, for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM.”

This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 27:26. The 27th chapter of Deuteronomy is a series of blessings and curses that were to be pronounced upon the Israelites after they entered the Promised Land. They were cursed if they did not obey the Law of Moses. Paul’s point was that all Jews were under a curse and had to obey the Mosaic Law; however, Gentiles were not under that curse and did not have to observe the Law which was given at Mount Sinai, meaning Gentile believers do not need to observe the Mosaic Law.

Gal. 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident, for “THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

This is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4. In the book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk asked Yahweh why He allowed sin. Yahweh promised that eventually evil people will receive justice; meanwhile, righteous people shall live by faith, meaning their faith will protect them at the judgement. Paul quoted this verse because it does not say observance of the Mosaic Law will protect them; instead, it says faith will protect them.

Gal. 3:12 However, the Law is not of faith; rather, “HE WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”

Gal. 3:13 Christ 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”—

This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 21:23.

Gal. 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gal. 3:15 ¶ Brothers, I speak in human terms: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

Gal. 3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And TO YOUR SEED,” that is, Christ.

Paul made a theological argument based on the fact that a word was singular and not plural. This teaches us that the form of each individual word of Scripture is important.

Gal. 3:17 And what I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to abolish the promise.

Yahweh made promises to Abraham over 400 years before the Law of Moses was given. Those promises included benefits for Gentiles. The advent of the Law did not invalidate the promises; therefore, Gentiles living in all ages do not have to become circumcised and follow the Law in order to be saved.

Gal. 3:18 For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise.

Gal. 3:19 ¶ Why the Law then? It was added because of trespasses, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

Pay attention to the word “until”. The Law was necessary until Jesus came.

Gal. 3:20 Now a mediator is not for one person only, whereas God is one.

Gal. 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed be by law.

Gal. 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

In the 1st century AD, there were Jewish believers who insisted Gentile believers needed to become circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. Paul wrote the book of Galatians to refute that teaching and proclaim circumcision and observance of the Law is not necessary.

This has ramifications for us today. There are many commands throughout the Bible that need to be observed by all people across all centuries. However, the commands in the Law of Moses were given specifically to the Jewish people and never applied to Gentiles. They still do not apply to Gentile believers today.

What does your church teach regarding the need to observe the commands given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai?

How does today’s passage confirm or contradict your beliefs or your church’s beliefs regarding this topic?

Since Gentiles are free of the need to observe the Mosaic Law, meaning the Ten Commandments do not apply to us, what is the proper place of the Ten Commandments in the Christian belief system?

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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”