Bible Study - Galatians Chapter 3 – One People of God

 

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English Standard Version

By Faith, or by Works of the Law?

3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. ² Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? ⁴ Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ⁶ just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

⁷ Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” ⁹ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

¹⁰ For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” ¹¹ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” ¹² But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 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”— 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.

The Law and the Promise

¹⁵ To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. ¹⁶ Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. ¹⁷ This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

¹⁹ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. ²⁰ Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Introduction

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a passionate and urgent defense of the core truth of the gospel: salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. In Chapter 3, Paul moves from a personal defense of his apostolic authority to a powerful theological argument, confronting a dangerous heresy that had infiltrated the churches in Galatia. This heresy, often called "Judaizing," taught that Gentile converts to Christianity must first adhere to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, to be truly members of the people of God. In essence, it was adding human works to the finished work of Christ. Because Paul’s consistent message was salvation by faith, or in other words, you become a full member of God’s people, an inheritor of all the promises, simply by trusting in Jesus. (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20).  

Paul begins with a startling and emotional rebuke: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" He points them back to their own powerful, transformative experience of receiving the Holy Spirit. This was not a result of their law-keeping but of their "hearing with faith." He establishes a critical principle: the Christian life begins by the Spirit, and it cannot be "perfected by the flesh" (human effort). To revert to law-keeping as a means of righteousness is to nullify the very grace that saved them and to make their suffering for Christ meaningless.

Paul then masterfully uses the Old Testament itself to prove his case. He points to Abraham, the father of the Israelite (and therefore, Jewish) nation, who was declared righteous by God because he "believed God" (Genesis 15:6), long before the Law was given at Mount Sinai. Therefore, the true children of Abraham are not those who are biologically descended or who keep the law, but "those of faith." The Law, Paul argues, was never intended to be a path to life. Instead, it reveals our sin and places us under a curse, for no one can perfectly abide by all its demands. But the glorious good news is that Christ redeemed us from this curse by becoming a curse for us on the cross.

Finally, Paul clarifies the purpose of the Law. It was a temporary guardian, a "paidagōgos" (a servant who supervised a child's conduct), put in place to lead us to Christ. Now that faith in Christ has come, we are no longer under this guardian. Through faith and baptism, we are clothed with Christ, becoming sons of God and heirs according to the promise made to Abraham. This new reality breaks down all earthly divisions—Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female—uniting all believers equally in Christ. Galatians 3 is a monumental chapter that liberates us from the tyranny of performance and anchors our hope securely in the promise of God, received by faith.

It also once and for declares that the people of God, the inheritors of the promises to Abraham, those who can claim to be the sons of Abraham, are only and ever those who have faith in Jesus Christ. We will see this as we go through the chapter.

Analysis and Overview

1.     The Argument from Experience (vv. 1–5) - Paul rebukes the Galatians for being “foolish” and asks a pointed question: “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (v. 2) He reminds them that their salvation and reception of the Spirit were based on faith, not law-keeping. Their suffering and spiritual experiences would be in vain if they now turned to the law.

2.     The Example of Abraham (vv. 6–9) - Paul quotes Genesis 15:6: “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (v. 6) He argues that Abraham was justified by faith, not by the law (which hadn't been given yet). Therefore, those who share Abraham’s faith are his true children. The gospel was preached beforehand to Abraham: “In you shall all the nations be blessed” (v. 8).

3.     The Curse of the Law and Christ’s Redemption (vv. 10–14) - Paul contrasts faith and works of the law: The law brings a curse because no one can perfectly keep it (v. 10, quoting Deut. 27:26). Habakkuk 2:4 is cited: “The righteous shall live by faith” (v. 11). Christ redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for us (v. 13, quoting Deut. 21:23). The result: the blessing of Abraham (justification and the Spirit) comes to all nations through faith (v. 14).

4.     The Law and the Promise (vv. 15–18) - Paul uses a human analogy: a ratified covenant cannot be altered. The promise to Abraham and his offspring (singular—Christ) was given 430 years before the law. The law does not annul the promise; salvation has always been by promise, not law.

5.     The Purpose of the Law (vv. 19–25) - If the law doesn’t save, why was it given? It was added because of transgressions (v. 19) It was temporary—“until the offspring should come” (v. 19) It imprisoned everything under sin so that the promise might be given through faith (v. 22) It acted as a guardian (or tutor) until Christ came, leading us to justification by faith (vv. 24–25).

6.     Unity in Christ (vv. 26–29) - Paul concludes with the inclusive nature of faith: All are sons of God through faith (v. 26) Baptism into Christ means clothing yourselves with Christ (v. 27) No divisions—Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female—all are one in Christ (v. 28) If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise (v. 29).

Conclusion - Galatians 3 is a powerful defense of the gospel of grace. Paul shows that: Faith, not law, brings righteousness and the Spirit. Abraham is the model of faith. The law was temporary and pointed to Christ. In Christ, all believers are united and become heirs of God’s promise.

Bible Study Questions

Section 1: The Personal Appeal & The Experience of the Spirit (v.1-5)

1. Question: Paul begins with a strong rebuke. What does his tone reveal about the seriousness of abandoning the core message of faith for works? What does it mean to be "bewitched" in a spiritual sense?
• Cross-references: 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 1:23
2. Question: In verses 2-5, Paul grounds his argument in the Galatians' own experience. Why is the source of the Holy Spirit's reception and miraculous work a powerful proof for salvation by faith?
• Cross-references: Acts 10:44-45; Romans 8:9

Section 2: The Example of Abraham & The Blessing of Faith (v.6-9)

3. Question: How does the story of Abraham in Genesis 15:6, quoted in verse 6, fundamentally shift the basis of righteousness from what we do to what we believe?
• Cross-references: Romans 4:3-5; James 2:23
4. Question: According to verses 7-9, who are the true "sons of Abraham"? How does this refine our definition of the people of God?
• Cross-references: Romans 9:6-8; John 8:39

Section 3: The Curse of the Law & The Redemption of Christ (v.10-14)

5. Question: Verse 10 states that relying on the works of the law places one under a curse. Why is perfect obedience an impossible standard, and what is the purpose of this realization?
• Cross-references: James 2:10; Deuteronomy 27:26
6. Question: Contrast the principle in verse 11 ("the righteous shall live by faith") with the principle in verse 12 ("the one who does them shall live by them"). What is the fundamental difference between a system of faith and a system of law?
• Cross-references: Habakkuk 2:4; Leviticus 18:5
7. Question: In verse 13, how did Christ redeem us from the curse of the law? What does it mean that He "became a curse for us"?
• Cross-references: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Deuteronomy 21:23

Section 4: The Law and The Promise (v.15-22)

8. Question: Using the analogy of a human covenant (or "will"), what point is Paul making in verses 15-18 about the relationship between God's promise to Abraham and the later Law of Moses?
• Cross-references: Hebrews 9:16-17; Jeremiah 31:31-33
9. Question: In verse 16, Paul makes a specific argument about the word "offspring." Who is the ultimate, singular "offspring" of Abraham, and why is this crucial for understanding the promise?
• Cross-references: Genesis 22:18; Acts 3:25-26
10. Question: Paul anticipates the question, "Why then the law?" (v.19). What was the law's purpose, according to verses 19-22?
• Cross-references: Romans 5:20; Romans 3:20
11. Question: Verse 21 is a key moment. Does the law contradict God's promises? What is Paul's answer, and what does it reveal about the law's inability to save?
• Cross-references: Romans 7:12; Romans 8:3

Section 5: Sons of God Through Faith (v.23-29)

12. Question: What was the function of the law as a "guardian" (or "schoolmaster") until Christ came (v.23-24)? How does this role change once "faith has come" (v.25)?
• Cross-references: 1 Corinthians 4:15; Romans 10:4
13. Question: According to verses 26-27, what is our new identity "in Christ Jesus"? What does it mean to be "baptized into Christ" and to have "put on Christ"?
• Cross-references: John 1:12; Romans 13:14
14. Question: The declaration in verse 28 is radical for its time and for all time. What are the practical implications of this unity "in Christ Jesus" for how we view ourselves and others within the body of Christ?I don’t
• Cross-references: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 3:11
15. Question: How does the chapter conclude (v.29)? How does this final statement tie the entire argument—about Abraham, promise, faith, and Christ—back to the believer's identity and inheritance today?
• Cross-references: Romans 8:17; Titus 3:7