Galatians 3 Commentary

Paul is extremely upset that the Galatians have so easily fallen away from the gospel message that he recently preached to them. In two rhetorical questions, Paul demonstrates how foolish it is for them to think that they can gain a right standing with God through obeying the law rather than by faith.

Abraham gained right standing with God through his faith, not by the law (which didn’t exist at the time God made His promise to Abraham). God’s promise to Abraham, that his descendants would number the stars and that all nations would be blessed through him was about faith. Therefore, all who believe in Jesus are Abraham’s offspring (and this faith is available to all people of all nations).

Everyone who tries to obey the law will fail, because the law requires 100 percent perfection. Because of this, Christ (who did obey the law perfectly) took on our failings instead, and through faith in Him we can receive the promise of salvation and the Spirit through faith.

Paul uses the Old Testament scriptures and its chronology to prove that the inheritance of God’s promises are based on God’s promise, not the law.

Since the Law had nothing to do with either the giving or receiving of the promise of God, Paul answers an obvious question: What is the Law for?

The law shows everyone their need for Christ’s sacrifice in their place, like a tutor teaching us. But now that faith has come we no longer need our tutor and we should instead live by that same faith. This faith, as promised to Abraham, is for all people of all nations, making those of us who believe sons and daughters of God.