The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham cometh not by the law,
but by faith.
3:1. O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not
obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth,
crucified among you?
3:2. This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the
works of the law or by the hearing of faith?
3:3. Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you
would now be made perfect by the flesh?
3:4. Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain.
3:5. He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles
among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of
the faith?
3:6. As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him
unto justice.
3:7. Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the
children of Abraham.
3:8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by
faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.
3:9. Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful
Abraham.
3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For
it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things
which are written in the book of the law to do them.
3:11. But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest:
because the just man liveth by faith.
3:12. But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall
live in them.
3:13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a
tree).
3:14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through
Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.
3:15. Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man’s
testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.
3:16. To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not:
And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is
Christ.
3:17. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God,
the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not
disannul, to make the promise of no effect.
3:18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise.
But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
3:19. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until
the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by
angels in the hand of a mediator.
Because of transgressions.... To restrain them from sin, by fear and
threats. Ordained by angels.... The law was delivered by angels,
speaking in the name and person of God to Moses, who was the mediator,
on this occasion, between God and the people.
3:20. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.
3:21. Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if
there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should
have been by the law.
3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise,
by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.
Hath concluded all under sin.... that is, hath declared all to be under
sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus
Christ, the promised seed.
3:23. But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up,
unto that faith which was to be revealed.
3:24. Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be
justified by faith.
Pedagogue.... That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor.
3:25. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.
3:26. For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus.
3:27. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on
Christ.
3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free:
there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Neither Jew, etc.... That is, no distinction of Jew, etc.
3:29. And if you be Christ’s, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs
according to the promise.