Therefore know that only (A)those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And (B)the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, (C)“In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

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, (D)“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 is [a]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for (E)“the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet (F)the law is not of faith, but (G)“the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 (H)Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, (I)“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 (J)that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the (K)Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive (L)the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise(M)

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: (N)Though 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 (O)one, (P)“And to your Seed,” who is (Q)Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:11 declared righteous

Understand, then, that those who have faith(A) are children of Abraham.(B) Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[a](C) So those who rely on faith(D) are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.(E)

10 For all who rely on the works of the law(F) are under a curse,(G) as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[b](H) 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,(I) because “the righteous will live by faith.”[c](J) 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[d](K) 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law(L) by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[e](M) 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,(N) so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.(O)

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters,(P) 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.(Q) Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[f](R) meaning one person, who is Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. Galatians 3:8 Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18
  2. Galatians 3:10 Deut. 27:26
  3. Galatians 3:11 Hab. 2:4
  4. Galatians 3:12 Lev. 18:5
  5. Galatians 3:13 Deut. 21:23
  6. Galatians 3:16 Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 24:7