Focused Passage

Galatians 3:1-14

Faith, Promise, and the Curse-Bearing Christ

Paul rebukes the Galatians for turning from Spirit-begun faith to law-centered completion, proves from Abraham and Scripture that blessing comes by faith, shows that Christ redeemed believers from the law's curse, and declares that all who belong to Christ are sons and heirs according to the promise.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

3 Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?

4 Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?

5 Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?

6 So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.

8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

10 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”

12 The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

O G5599 Interjection foolish ἀνόητοι G453 Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural Galatians Γαλάται G1052 Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural Who τίς G5101 Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular has bewitched ἐβάσκανεν G940 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular you ὑμᾶς G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Before κατ’ G2596 Preposition [your very] οἷς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural eyes ὀφθαλμοὺς G3788 Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Jesus Ἰησοῦς G2424 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Christ Χριστὸς G5547 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular was clearly portrayed προεγράφη G4270 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular [as] crucified ἐσταυρωμένος G4717 Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Verse 2

Original words

I would like θέλω G2309 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular to learn μαθεῖν G3129 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active just μόνον G3440 Adverb [one thing] τοῦτο G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular from ἀφ’ G575 Preposition you ὑμῶν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Did you receive ἐλάβετε G2983 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural the τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular by ἐξ G1537 Preposition works ἔργων G2041 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural of the law νόμου G3551 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular or G2228 Conjunction by ἐξ G1537 Preposition hearing ἀκοῆς G189 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular with faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 3

Original words

Are you ἐστε G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural so Οὕτως G3779 Adverb foolish ἀνόητοί G453 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural After starting ἐναρξάμενοι G1728 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural in [the] Spirit Πνεύματι G4151 Noun - Dative Neuter Singular vvv νῦν G3568 Adverb are you now finishing ἐπιτελεῖσθε G2005 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural in [the] flesh σαρκὶ G4561 Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Verse 4

Original words

Have you suffered ἐπάθετε G3958 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural so much τοσαῦτα G5118 Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural for nothing εἰκῇ G1500 Adverb if εἴ G1487 Conjunction it really was γε G1065 Particle . . . καὶ G2532 Conjunction for nothing εἰκῇ G1500 Adverb
Verse 5

Original words

- οὖν G3767 Conjunction {Does} [God] G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular lavish ἐπιχορηγῶν G2023 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular [His] τὸ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεῦμα G4151 Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular on you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural and καὶ G2532 Conjunction work ἐνεργῶν G1754 Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular miracles δυνάμεις G1411 Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural among ἐν G1722 Preposition you ὑμῖν G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural because [you] ἐξ G1537 Preposition practice ἔργων G2041 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural the law νόμου G3551 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular or G2228 Conjunction because [you] ἐξ G1537 Preposition hear ἀκοῆς G189 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular [and] believe πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Verse 6

Original words

So also Καθὼς G2531 Adverb Abraham Ἀβραὰμ G11 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular believed ἐπίστευσεν G4100 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular God Θεῷ G2316 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular and καὶ G2532 Conjunction it was credited ἐλογίσθη G3049 Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular to him αὐτῷ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular as εἰς G1519 Preposition righteousness δικαιοσύνην G1343 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular

BSB notes

  • Genesis 15:6
Verse 7

Original words

Understand Γινώσκετε G1097 Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural then ἄρα G686 Conjunction that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction those who οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural have ἐκ G1537 Preposition faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular - οὗτοι G3778 Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural are εἰσιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural sons υἱοί G5207 Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural of Abraham Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Verse 8

Original words

- δὲ G1161 Conjunction The G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Scripture γραφὴ G1124 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular foresaw προϊδοῦσα G4308 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction - G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular God Θεὸς G2316 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular would justify δικαιοῖ G1344 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular the τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Gentiles ἔθνη G1484 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural by ἐκ G1537 Preposition faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular [and] foretold the gospel προευηγγελίσατο G4283 Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular to Abraham Ἀβραὰμ G11 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular - ὅτι G3754 Conjunction All πάντα G3956 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural - τὰ G3588 Article - Nominative Neuter Plural nations ἔθνη G1484 Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural will be blessed Ἐνευλογηθήσονται G1757 Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural through ἐν G1722 Preposition you σοὶ G4771 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular

BSB notes

  • See Genesis 12:3, Genesis 18:18, and Genesis 22:18.
Verse 9

Original words

So ὥστε G5620 Conjunction those who οἱ G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Plural have ἐκ G1537 Preposition faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular are blessed εὐλογοῦνται G2127 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural along with σὺν G4862 Preposition Abraham Ἀβραάμ G11 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular the [man] τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular of faith πιστῷ G4103 Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Verse 10

Original words

- γὰρ G1063 Conjunction All who Ὅσοι G3745 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural rely on εἰσὶν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural . . . ἐξ G1537 Preposition works ἔργων G2041 Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural of the law νόμου G3551 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular are εἰσίν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural under ὑπὸ G5259 Preposition a curse κατάραν G2671 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular For γὰρ G1063 Conjunction it is written γέγραπται G1125 Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular - ὅτι G3754 Conjunction Cursed is Ἐπικατάρατος G1944 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular everyone πᾶς G3956 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular who ὃς G3739 Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular vvv οὐκ G3756 Adverb does not continue ἐμμένει G1696 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular to do ποιῆσαι G4160 Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active vvv αὐτά G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural everything πᾶσιν G3956 Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural - τοῖς G3588 Article - Dative Neuter Plural written γεγραμμένοις G1125 Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition the τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Neuter Singular Book βιβλίῳ G975 Noun - Dative Neuter Singular of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Law νόμου G3551 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular

BSB notes

  • Deuteronomy 27:26 (see also LXX)
Verse 11

Original words

Now δὲ G1161 Conjunction it is clear δῆλον G1212 Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular that ὅτι G3754 Conjunction no one οὐδεὶς G3762 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular is justified δικαιοῦται G1344 Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular before παρὰ G3844 Preposition - τῷ G3588 Article - Dative Masculine Singular God Θεῷ G2316 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular by ἐν G1722 Preposition [the] law νόμῳ G3551 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular because ὅτι G3754 Conjunction The G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular righteous δίκαιος G1342 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular will live ζήσεται G2198 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular by ἐκ G1537 Preposition faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular

BSB notes

  • Habakkuk 2:4
Verse 12

Original words

The G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular law νόμος G3551 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular however δὲ G1161 Conjunction is ἔστιν G1510 Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular not οὐκ G3756 Adverb based ἐκ G1537 Preposition on faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular on the contrary ἀλλ’ G235 Conjunction The [man who] G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular does ποιήσας G4160 Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular these things αὐτὰ G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural will live ζήσεται G2198 Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular by ἐν G1722 Preposition them αὐτοῖς G846 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Plural

BSB notes

  • Leviticus 18:5; see also Ezekiel 20:11, 13, and 21.
Verse 13

Original words

Christ Χριστὸς G5547 Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular redeemed ἐξηγόρασεν G1805 Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular us ἡμᾶς G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural from ἐκ G1537 Preposition the τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular curse κατάρας G2671 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular law νόμου G3551 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular by becoming γενόμενος G1096 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular a curse κατάρα G2671 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular for ὑπὲρ G5228 Preposition us ἡμῶν G1473 Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural For ὅτι G3754 Conjunction it is written γέγραπται G1125 Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Cursed is Ἐπικατάρατος G1944 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular everyone πᾶς G3956 Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular who G3588 Article - Nominative Masculine Singular is hung κρεμάμενος G2910 Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular on ἐπὶ G1909 Preposition a tree ξύλου G3586 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular

BSB notes

  • Deuteronomy 21:23 (see also LXX)
Verse 14

Original words

[He redeemed us] in order that ἵνα G2443 Conjunction the G3588 Article - Nominative Feminine Singular blessing promised εὐλογία G2129 Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular - τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Masculine Singular to Abraham Ἀβραὰμ G11 Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular would come γένηται G1096 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular to εἰς G1519 Preposition the τὰ G3588 Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Gentiles ἔθνη G1484 Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural in ἐν G1722 Preposition Christ Χριστῷ G5547 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Jesus Ἰησοῦ G2424 Noun - Dative Masculine Singular so that ἵνα G2443 Conjunction by διὰ G1223 Preposition - τῆς G3588 Article - Genitive Feminine Singular faith πίστεως G4102 Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular we might receive λάβωμεν G2983 Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural the τὴν G3588 Article - Accusative Feminine Singular promise ἐπαγγελίαν G1860 Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular of the τοῦ G3588 Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Spirit Πνεύματος G4151 Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular

BSB notes

  • Literally the blessing of Abraham

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.