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13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”[a] 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised[b] Holy Spirit through faith.

The Law and God’s Promise

15 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child.[d] And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,[e]” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:13 Deut 21:23 (Greek version).
  2. 3:14 Some manuscripts read the blessing of the.
  3. 3:15 Greek Brothers.
  4. 3:16a Greek seed; also in 3:16c, 19. See notes on Gen 12:7 and 13:15.
  5. 3:16b Greek seeds.

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