Read & explore together
Christ Has Redeemed Us
These verses explain why relying on law-keeping does not bring justification before God, and how Christ redeemed us so that Abraham’s blessing and the promised Spirit come through faith.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In Galatians 3:10–14, the passage builds its teaching with several Scripture quotations. It contrasts “works of the law” with faith, states the curse connected with not continuing in all the law, and then explains what Christ has done so blessing might come to the Gentiles through him.
Galatians 3:10–14Main takeaway
This passage teaches that justification, blessing, and the promise of the Spirit come through faith in Christ rather than through relying on works of the law.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Those of works of the law are under a curseThe passage opens with a serious claim: as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse.
Explanation
The passage opens with a serious claim: as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. It supports this by quoting Scripture about continuing in all things written in the book of the law, to do them. The stress falls on doing all that is written, not only part of it.
02Justification before God is linked with faithThese verses then say that no one is justified by the law before God. The reason given is another Scripture quotation: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Explanation
These verses then say that no one is justified by the law before God. The reason given is another Scripture quotation: “The righteous will live by faith.” In this passage, the contrast is clear. Justification before God is not presented as coming from the law, while faith is directly named.
03The law speaks in terms of doingThe next statement says, “The law is not of faith,” and supports this with the words, “The man who does them will live by them.”
Explanation
The next statement says, “The law is not of faith,” and supports this with the words, “The man who does them will live by them.” In this passage, the law is described in terms of doing. That helps explain the contrast already made between works of the law and faith.
04Christ redeemed us so blessing might comeThe passage then says that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, linking this with the words, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”
Explanation
The passage then says that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, linking this with the words, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” The stated result is that Abraham’s blessing might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to verse 10, what requirement of the law is emphasised in the warning about the curse?
Look for the words about continuing in all things written in the book of the law, to do them.
02What quotation does verse 11 use to show that justification before God is not by the law?
Notice the short line that connects righteousness and living with faith.
03What two outcomes are named in verse 14 as coming through Christ Jesus and faith?
Read the purpose statement carefully and identify both the blessing and the promise.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Galatians 3:10–14
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
11Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”
12The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”
14that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.