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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,”Deuteronomy 21:23 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring.[a] He doesn’t say, “To descendants[b]”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”,Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7 which is Christ. 17 Now I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16 or, seed
  2. 3:16 or, seeds

13 Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”—(A) 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

15 Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way]. 16 Now the promises [in the covenants] were decreed to Abraham and to his seed. God does not say, “And to seeds (descendants, heirs),” as if [referring] to many [persons], but as to one, “And to your Seed,” who is [none other than] Christ.(B) 17 This is what I mean: the Law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later [after the covenant concerning the coming Messiah], does not and cannot invalidate the covenant previously established by God, so as to abolish the promise.(C) 18 For if the inheritance [of what was promised] is based on [observing] the Law [as these false teachers claim], it is no longer based on a promise; however, God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.

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13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law(A) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[a](B) 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,(C) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(D)

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(E) let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.(F) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[b](G) meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years(H) later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;(I) but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:13 Deut. 21:23
  2. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7