Galatians 3:1-18
Dear RTB’ers,
We continue where we left off yesterday, justification by faith: …we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, … because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Gal. 2:16) Let’s follow Paul’s argument in today’s reading. First, Abraham was the father of many nations: In you shall all the nations be blessed. (v. 8b, Genesis 12:3) Second, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. (v. 6, Genesis 15:6) Third, the Law came 430 years later and did not nullify the Covenant. (v. 17) Finally, do we now set aside the Promise and instead follow the Law, with all its spiritual and fleshly (circumcision!) demands? Paul’s conclusion: For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse… (v. 10a) and Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law… (v. 11a) and Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… (v. 13a). We are saved, not by works, but by faith!
My Study Bible mentioned at verse 2 that Paul mentions the Holy Spirit sixteen times in the last four chapters of Galatians. Sweet!
Blessings!