Having argued from the blessings of faith. The apostle turns to the opposite and argues from the curse of the law:

Galatians 3:10 "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

There is no hope for the sinner by partial obedience to the law (Galatians 3:10; Deuteronomy 27:26 ).

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The Law Cannot Make The Guilty Guiltless

Nor can it make the unacceptable acceptable (Galatians 3:11 ). So one who depends on his work of the law, is even more threatened with the consequences of the law. As guilty, deciding now to live by the works of the law, cannot bring pardon. Scripture is clear that justification is not by law, which condemns, but by faith (Galatians 3:11; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38 ). Their self-deceived teachers were deceiving the Galatians because they did not comprehend the doctrine of God, not being able to justify by the law that was broken - and could only justify by faith.

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Habakkuk Is Used By God To Connect Life Eternal With Faith

Should a man keep the law in obedience, then he shall live by them (Galatians 3:12; Leviticus 18:5 ). But no man with a fallen nature is able to obey the law perfectly - only the Son of God who became the Son of Man to redeem us, could and did fully keep the law. Faith in His spotless sacrifice as our substitute is the only means of acceptance by God, as though we had never sinned (Galatians 3:13-14 ).

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The Believer Is Delivered From The Curse Of The Law Through Christ Who Became A Curse For Us (Galatians 3:13)

What we deserved as sinners was put on Jesus. He took our curse - it rested on Him on the cross. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23 ). Through Christ being made a curse for us, we have been redeemed out of bondage (Galatians 3:13 ). The Greek word for "redeemed" is 'exagorazo' means to "purchase out of slavery" by the payment of a price. This is the clear meaning that the New Testament gives concerning the death of Christ. We were purchased by God with the blood of Jesus and taken out of the slave market, and released from our slavery to sin and the law, never to be back in bondage again. (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9 ).

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The Blessing Of Justification By Faith Enjoyed By Abraham Comes Upon The Gentiles In Christ (Galatians 3:14)

"Us" includes all who believe whether Jews or Gentiles. The result of the blessing is our being placed in the dispensation of the Spirit. We are the recipients of the promise (Joel 2:28; Acts 1:4; 2:1-4,14-16; Ephesians 1:13 ). We are saved through faith and we receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14 ). Even a human agreement is respected and no one annuls it. Much more a divine covenant stands (Galatians 3:15 ). A human covenant is between two parties, and is for mutual benefit. It has implied permanence. Neither party has the power to annul it or to add fresh clauses, once that covenant has been confirmed. That being true of a human covenant it must be understood that a divine covenant is irreversible and irrevocable.

Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ."

Paul is clearly stating that God's promise to Abraham was not to all his descendants. It finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ, which includes all those in Christ. All the members that are many, make one body - His spiritual body is called Christ in (1 Corinthians 12:12 ). The seed being Christ, when the law was given the promise was still waiting fulfilment, therefore the law, given four hundred and thirty years later, could not disannul the promise nor add any new clause to it (Galatians 3:17-18 ).

Galatians 3:17 "... the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, ..."

The covenant of our full salvation was confirmed by God, by an oath. (Hebrews 6:13 ). And Christ sealed this covenant with His blood (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 10:16 ). Our inheritance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is by promise, not law.

Galatians 3:18 "For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise."

Promise as we are intended to understand it in this teaching, is not associated with conditions. The promise of eternal life through faith in Christ is unconditional. Had our inheritance been through law then it could never have been promise. But the promise is authentic, God freely promised it to Abraham. God bound Himself by it, and cannot in any way withdraw from His given promise.

Galatians 3:19 "What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; ..."

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Law Was Given In Addition To The Promise, To Expose Sin

By the law it is seen how sin violates God's will and reveals God's standard for living. By the law is the discovery and convincing of sin - it defined sin - and applied it to the sinner. By adding law the sinner was intended to see his need of God's mercy, grace and redemption. (Romans 3:20; 5:20; 8:2 ). Law came after promise and was a temporary addition,

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It Was Intended To Give Way To The New Covenant

Established by the Seed, Christ, in whom God has disclosed fully His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24-26; 8:1 ). Law, like bars, restrict a wild animal. When the animal is tame the bars are removed. Those in the New Covenant by faith become a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17 ). They now bear fruit to God - the fruit of the Spirit. (Romans 7:14; Galatians 5:22 -23 ).

Galatians 3:19 "... and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator."

God distanced Himself in giving the law but personally communicated the promise.

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God Distanced Himself By Double Mediation In Giving The Law, By Angels And Moses

Abraham received the promise direct. The share of angels in the giving of the law is supported by Acts 7:53 and Hebrews 2:2. That they were present is clear from Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Exodus 19:16-19.

Owen, in exposition of the epistle to the Hebrews on (Galatians 2:2 ) commented referring to the angels: "They raised the fire and smoke, they shook and rent the rock, they framed the sound of the trumpet, they effected the articulate voices which conveyed the words of the law to the ears of the people, and therein proclaimed and published the law, whereby it became the word spoken by angels".

The share of Moses in giving the law as a mediator, is stated by himself in Deuteronomy 5:5,27. He bore the tables of stone from God to the people. The contrast is clear - the law was given with others standing between God and the people. The promise to Abraham was given direct to him by God.

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The Presence Of A Mediator Assumes Two Parties

Galatians 3:20 "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one."

"This passage is said to have received as many as 250 or 300 interpretations. The following view appears most satisfactory. The very idea of a mediator involves two parties at least. The law had a mediator therefore the law involves two parties. In other words it is a contract, on the other hand, God, the giver of the promise, stands alone, therefore the promise is not a contract; and, resting on God, it is indefeasible". Ellicott

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Is there any hope for the sinner through partially obeying the law? (Galatians 3:10; Deuteronomy 27:26 ).
2. How is the believer delivered from the curse of the law? (Galatians 3:13 ).
3. What does the deduction of Paul in Galatians 3:16 say about your relationship in Christ?
4. Can you explain the purpose of the law? (Galatians 3:19 ).