Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. In the first half of verse 10 Paul writes, “All those who rely on their observance of the law are under a curse.” What does this mean?
In verse 10a the apostle Paul declares, “All those who rely on their observance of the law are under a curse;” that is to say, all who rely upon their personal observance of the law as the means of their salvation are under the law’s just sentence of condemnation. Paul is speaking of all those who seek to save themselves by means of their own good works and their personal efforts to meet the holy requirements of the moral law of God—all those who take the position, “I will try my best to make myself pleasing to God and trust that He will accept me.” Paul declares that all such persons, despite their sincerity, despite their effort, are “under a curse.”
2. Why is it that “all those who rely on their observance of the law are under a curse?” See the latter part of verse 10 (printed below).
All those who rely on their observance of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by everything that is written in the book of the law, being faithful to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)
Why are “all those who rely on their observance of the law are under a curse?” This is the case because all such people are insisting that God judge them on the basis of their own personal performance in seeking to comply with the absolute demands of His holy law. But their efforts do not measure up to God’s perfect standard. Sincerity of effort is not the criterion by which a man is judged; the criterion is performance, the ability to meet the required standard. By His very nature of absolute justice and holiness, the Lord must judge a man on the basis of his performance. Indeed, even on the basis of sincerity, no man can declare that he is perfectly sincere, that he loves the Lord his God with all his heart.
3. In the latter part of verse 10 (printed below) Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 27:26, a passage of Scripture that reveals God’s divine standard. What are the characteristics of God’s standard as revealed in that passage?
“Cursed is everyone who does not abide by everything that is written in the book of the law, being faithful to do them.” (Galatians 3:10b)
Deuteronomy 27:26 declares, “cursed is everyone” who does not comply with the requirements of God’s moral law. Here is the demand for universal obedience: there are no exceptions, no excuses for mitigating circumstances. Cursed is everyone who “does not abide by” (or continue to observe) the law. Here is the demand for continuous obedience: the Lord God requires that we render obedience to His holy law on every occasion and with continuous commitment. Furthermore, there is the requirement that we abide by “everything” that is written in the law. Here is the demand for complete obedience: we are not permitted to be selective in our obedience; we may not choose those commandments we are “good at keeping” and ignore those which especially address the sinful tendencies that are dominant in our lives. Finally, we are to comply with all “that is written in the book of the law.” Here is the demand for objective obedience: as men who are accountable to our Creator and Judge, we do not have the liberty to devise our own moral standards based upon subjective human emotions. On the contrary, we are obligated to submit to the objective standard of God’s holy law.
4. What does Paul tell us in verses 11-12 (printed below?)
Now the fact that no one is justified before God by the law is evident, because “The just shall live by faith.” (12) But the law does not belong to faith; on the contrary, “The one who does these things shall live by them.” (Galatians 3:11-12)
The point the apostle Paul is making in verses 11-12 is that God’s Word teaches that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the way of salvation God has appointed for all who have sinned and fall short of His glory. Trying to save yourself by God’s law does not belong to the way of Salvation by Faith, it belongs to the way of Salvation by Works. By way of illustration, you are confronted by two roads in your journey to find peace with God and a place in His heavenly kingdom: the one road is marked “Salvation by Works,” the other road is marked “Salvation by Faith.” If you are traveling the road marked, “Salvation by Works,” God comes to you and says, “You are traveling the wrong road! This is the road that will lead you to hell, because it forces Me to judge you on the basis of your performance—a performance which does not measure up to My requirements of holiness. Take the road marked, ‘Salvation by Faith,’ so that I may receive you into My heavenly kingdom based upon the perfect performance of obedience and atoning sacrifice provided by My Son Jesus Christ.”
5. How did Christ redeem us from the curse of the law (i.e.; the just sentence of condemnation pronounced by the law?) See verse 13 (printed below)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)
According to verse 13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Under the Old Testament law, if a man committed a crime worthy of death, after his execution his dead body was to be hung upon a tree—testifying to the fact that he was cursed by God (note Deuteronomy 21:22-23). The very way in which Christ died—being crucified, and then hanging upon the wooden cross after His death, marked Him as being cursed by God. The Old Testament requirement recorded in Deuteronomy 21 and Christ’s crucifixion confront us with two fundamental facts. First, there is an actual divine curse which must be fulfilled—a curse that divine justice has pronounced against each one of us who have broken God’s commandments. Second, the Lord Jesus Christ suffered that curse upon the cross of Calvary on behalf of each one who receives Him as their Savior.
