GALATIANS

Sunday October13, 2013

 

Faith’s Needy Cry For God

Galatians 3:10 – 14 

 

 

I. Introduction: Desertion from Paul’s Gospel Is Desertion from the Gospel (1:1 – 2:21)

II. Paul’s Gospel Defended from Experience and Scripture (3:1 – 4:11)

           A. Argument from Experience: Reception of Spirit by Means of Faith, Not Works (3:1 – 5)

           B. Argument from Scripture: Blessing of Abraham by Faith (3:6 – 14)

                   1. Members of Abraham’s family by faith (3:6 – 9)

                   2. Curse of law removed only in Christ (3:10 – 14)

                                    a. Those who rely on the law are cursed (3:10 – 12)

                                    b. Those who rely on the cross of Christ are blessed (3:13 – 14)

  

Thomas Schreiner, Exegetical Commentary On The New Testament: Galatians; Zondervan Publishers, 2010.

 

 

Read Galatians 3:10 – 14    

 

Main Idea

 

“Paul’s main point in the passage is found in 3:14.  He argues that in Christ Jesus Gentiles enjoy the blessing of Abraham and that the blessing of Abraham is nothing other than the promise of the Spirit (cf. the emphasis on the Spirit in 3:1 – 5).  In 3:10 – 13 he explains why the blessing of Abraham can be obtained only in Christ.  Trying to obtain the blessing by ‘works of law’ fails, for the end result will only be a curse since all transgress God’s law.  The curse of the law is removed only by the cross of Christ, and thus faith is the pathway to blessing.” (Schreiner).

 

– Judaism at the time of Christ relied heavily on law.  Here is a sample from a Jewish writing.  “By three things is the world sustained: by the Law, by the (Temple -) service, and by deeds of loving-kindness.”  Also, “Great is the Law, for it gives life to them that practice it both in this world and the world to come.”

 

– 3:10  “Contrary to some interpreters, he (Paul) does not argue that the curse falls on those who do the law.  It is the failure to do all that is written in the law that condemns, not the desire to keep the law!”

 

– 3:12 Righteousness cannot be obtained by the law, for the law requires perfect obedience and human performance.  Faith, however, looks away from self to what God has done in Christ for salvation, relying on God’s work rather than one’s own (comp. Zechariah 4:6).

 

– 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’”

 

– 3:14 “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

 

– Paul had previously persecuted the church because he could not conceive of a cursed Messiah (Deut. 21:23); the cross was a stumbling block to the Jews (1 Cor. 1:23). Through this curse of crucifixion Christ took on himself—even though he did not deserve it—the curse for disobedience (Gal. 3:13). He substituted his life for ours, ensuring that life, righteousness, and the Spirit would be received by all who believe in him.

 

– From the very beginning Scripture has clearly taught that all people are sinful by nature and that it has always been God’s intention to save all who will put their trust in Him. 

 

See Genesis 3:1 – 10; Leviticus 16:29 – 28; Hebrews 9:26 – 28

 

– We must recognize our sin, desperate need, and helplessness.  Then we must place all of our trust in Christ alone.