MSB GAL Chapter 3

Faith and Belief

(James 2:14–26)

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you not to obey the truth?[fn] Before [your very] eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you[fn] [as] crucified. 2 I would like to learn just [one thing] from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Are you so foolish? After starting in [the] Spirit, vvv are you now finishing in [the] flesh? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5 {Does} [God] lavish [His] Spirit on you and work miracles among you because [you] practice the law, or because [you] hear [and] believe?

So also,“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[fn] 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, [and] foretold the gospel to Abraham“All nations will be blessed through you.”[fn] 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the [man] of faith.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written:“Cursed is everyone who vvv does not continue to do vvv everything written in the Book of the Law.”[fn] 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by [the] law, because,“The righteous will live by faith.”[fn] 12 The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary,“The man who[fn] does these things will live by them.”[fn]

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written:“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”[fn] 14 [He redeemed us] in order that the blessing promised to Abraham[fn] would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Purpose of the Law

(Romans 7:1–6)

Brothers, let me put this in human terms Even a human covenant once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. vvv [The Scripture ] does not say,“and to seeds,” vvv meaning many, but“and to your seed,”[fn] vvv meaning One, who is Christ.

What I mean [is] this: [The] law that came 430 {} years later vvv does not revoke [the] covenant previously established by God in Christ,[fn] so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on [the] law, [then it] no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted [it] to Abraham through a promise.

Why then [ was ] the law [ given ]? It was added because of transgressions, until [the] arrival of the seed vvv to whom [the] promise referred. It was administered through angels by vvv a mediator. 20 A mediator is unnecessary, however, [ for only ] one [ party ]; but God is one.

[Is] the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? vvv Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness {would} certainly have come from [the] law. 22 But the Scripture [ pronounces ] all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

Before [this] faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now [that] faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Sons through Faith in Christ

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you [who] were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male [nor] female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to [the] promise.