Galatians 3

Passage overview

Ephesians 3 is developed around the apostle Paul’s prayer for his calling and for the church. First, Paul, as an apostle to the Gentiles, explains the mystery (secret) of God entrusted to him. Next, he urges the Ephesian believers not to be discouraged by the reasons he has suffered and by the fact of his sufferings. In the latter part, he closes the chapter with fervent prayer that the saints may come to know God’s great love and fullness, and with praise that gives glory to God.

1verseFoolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?

2verseI just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

3verseAre you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?

4verseDid you suffer so many things in vain, if it is indeed in vain?

5verseHe therefore who supplies the Spirit to you and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?

6verseEven so, Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”

7verseKnow therefore that those who are of faith are children of Abraham.

8verseThe Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.”

9verseSo then, those who are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

10verseFor 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.”

11verseNow that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”

12verseThe law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.”

13verseChrist 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,”

14versethat the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

15verseBrothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void or adds to it.

16verseNow the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. He doesn’t say, “To descendants”, as of many, but as of one, “To your offspring”, which is Christ.

17verseNow I say this: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

18verseFor if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

19verseThen why is there the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

20verseNow a mediator is not between one, but God is one.

21verseIs the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.

22verseBut the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23verseBut before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24verseSo that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25verseBut now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26verseFor you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.

27verseFor as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28verseThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29verseIf you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to promise.

Verses 1-13: Paul’s Calling and the Mystery of the Gospel

In verses 1-13, Paul confesses that he was called as an 'apostle to the Gentiles.' He explains the mystery that God had kept hidden for a long time—namely, that the Gentiles and the Jews are made to share in the same promise through the gospel. Paul also states that the sufferings he endures in carrying out this mission are, in fact, the church’s glory, and he asks that those who hear this news not lose heart.

Verses 14-21: God’s Love and Paul’s Prayer

Paul kneels and prays for the church. He asks that the saints experience the love of Christ and the fullness of God. Paul’s prayer focuses on strengthening the inner person, taking root in faith, and enabling the saints to understand God’s wide, long, high, and deep love. Finally, he concludes by praising God, who works among us, so that he may receive glory forever in the church and in Jesus Christ.

Points to Ponder

  • What response do I have to the mystery of the gospel—that is, the church’s picture of Gentiles and Jews becoming one and forming one body?
  • How practically and personally am I and my faith community experiencing God’s love—how wide and long that love is?
  • Reflect on whether my prayers and my life of faith are leading to a life that gives 'glory to God.'

Try Applying It to Me

  • Practice inclusion and love toward the various people around me.
  • Strive in the Word and in prayer every day so I can experience God’s love more deeply and more widely.
  • Even suffering and hardships in life should be interpreted within the calling God has given. And whenever fear or discouragement comes, ask again for God’s courage and strength.

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