Faith in Christ, Not the Law
Galatians 3:1-14
Gal.3.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ω: INTERJ
- ανοητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- Γαλαται: NOUN,voc,pl,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εβασκανεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- κατ᾽οφθαλμους: PREP+NOUN,acc,pl,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προεγραφη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εσταυρωμενος: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:6 (structural): Paul expresses similar astonishment that his audience is quickly deserting the gospel, matching Gal 3:1’s tone of shock at the Galatians’ turning away.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 (verbal): Paul’s emphasis that ‘we preach Christ crucified’ echoes Gal 3:1’s focal claim that Jesus Christ has been publicly portrayed as crucified—the crucified Christ as the core proclamation.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (thematic): Paul’s fear that believers will be led astray—‘deceived as Eve was’ and turned to ‘another Jesus/another gospel’—parallels the charge that the Galatians have been ‘bewitched’ and diverted from the true Christ.
- Acts 8:9-13 (allusion): The account of Simon the magician who ‘bewitched’ the people of Samaria provides a narrative analogue for being captivated or deceived, resonating with Paul’s accusation that the Galatians have been bewitched.
Alternative generated candidates
- O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you—before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
- O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
Gal.3.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- μονον: ADV
- θελω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- μαθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αφ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ελαβετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εξ: PREP
- ακοης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Galatians 3:5 (verbal): A near-verbal repetition of the same rhetorical question about whether God gives the Spirit by works of the law or by the hearing of faith; closely parallels wording and argument.
- Galatians 3:14 (thematic): States that Christ redeemed us so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith—links reception of the Spirit explicitly with faith, not law.
- Acts 10:44-48 (thematic): Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit while Peter is still speaking the gospel—an event used to show that the Spirit is given in response to the proclamation/belief in Christ rather than adherence to the Jewish law.
- Acts 11:15-18 (quotation): Peter recounts that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He did to Jewish believers, and concludes that God made no distinction—used in Acts 15 to argue that Gentiles need not become law-keepers to receive the Spirit.
- Ephesians 1:13 (verbal): Affirms that believers are 'sealed with the promised Holy Spirit' when they hear the word of truth (the gospel) and believe—parallels Gal. 3:2's 'hearing of faith' as the means of receiving the Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
- Let me ask only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
Gal.3.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- ανοητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εναρξαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- νυν: ADV
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- επιτελεισθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Galatians 3:2 (verbal): Directly related question earlier in the chapter—Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing of faith?—which echoes the contrast 'begun by the Spirit' vs 'being perfected by the flesh.'
- Galatians 5:16-17 (thematic): The sustained contrast between walking by the Spirit and gratifying the flesh corresponds to Gal.3.3's opposition of Spirit-begun life and flesh-based efforts.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (thematic): Paul's rebuke of the Corinthians as 'carnal' and 'walking as mere men' parallels his charge to the Galatians who regress from Spirit-led life to fleshly ways.
- Romans 8:4-9 (thematic): Paul's exposition of living according to the Spirit rather than the flesh provides the theological foundation for the Spirit/flesh contrast implicit in Gal.3.3.
- Philippians 3:3 (verbal): Phraseology and thought—'we worship by the Spirit' and 'put no confidence in the flesh'—echoes Gal.3.3's motif of beginning in the Spirit versus relying on the flesh.
Alternative generated candidates
- Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
- Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Gal.3.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- τοσαυτα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- επαθετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εικη: ADV
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γε: PART
- και: CONJ
- εικη: ADV
Parallels
- Galatians 3:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: Paul uses the same line of rhetorical questions (Did you receive the Spirit... are you so foolish?)—v.4 continues this sequence, directly repeating and developing the concern that their experience might have been 'in vain.'
- 1 Corinthians 15:14,17 (verbal): Paul asks the same kind of theological question about nullity: if the central fact (Christ's resurrection) is false then preaching/faith are 'in vain' (κενός). Parallels Gal.3:4's use of 'in vain' to express the possible nullification of Christian experience.
- Galatians 5:4 (thematic): Those who seek justification by the law are described as alienated from Christ and having 'fallen from grace'—a warning that turning to law makes previous standing/effects of faith pointless, echoing the worry in Gal.3:4 that their sufferings/receiving the Spirit might be nullified.
- Philippians 3:7-9 (thematic): Paul regards his former gains as loss for Christ's sake and refuses confidence in the flesh—this addresses the flip side of Gal.3:4's concern by affirming that what is for Christ is not worthless, and it shows Paul's sensitivity to whether past efforts count for anything.
- 1 Peter 4:12-16 (thematic): Peter instructs believers that suffering for Christ is expected and not shameful or pointless. This passage provides a related perspective on suffering's purpose, countering the implication of Gal.3:4 that such suffering could be 'in vain.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
- Did you endure so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Gal.3.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ουν: CONJ
- επιχορηγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ενεργων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δυναμεις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εξ: PREP
- ακοης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Galatians 3:2 (verbal): Nearly identical rhetorical question earlier in the same argument: did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (direct repetition of the contrast).
- Galatians 3:3 (thematic): Develops the same contrast—begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?—emphasizing that the Spirit, not law-works, initiates and sustains Christian life.
- Acts 11:15-17 (quotation): Peter reports that the Holy Spirit fell on Gentile believers just as on Jews, using the Spirit’s bestowal as evidence that God accepts Gentiles apart from the Mosaic law—parallels Paul's appeal to Spirit-giving as decisive.
- Acts 15:8-9 (allusion): At the Jerusalem Council the apostles testify that God 'made no distinction' and 'cleansed their hearts by faith' by giving the Holy Spirit—supports the claim that the Spirit is given apart from works of the law.
- Romans 3:28 (thematic): Paul’s conclusion that justification is by faith apart from works of the law echoes Galatians’ argument that the Spirit and saving benefits come through faith, not law-keeping.
Alternative generated candidates
- Does the One who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by your hearing with faith?
- Does the one who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by your hearing with faith?
Gal.3.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- καθως: CONJ
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επιστευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ελογισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Genesis 15:6 (quotation): The original declaration: 'Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness,' which Paul cites as the Old Testament basis for justification by faith.
- Romans 4:3 (quotation): Paul again quotes Genesis 15:6 to argue that righteousness is reckoned apart from works—using Abraham as the paradigm of justification by faith.
- Romans 4:5 (thematic): Contrasts works and faith: 'to the one who does not work but believes... his faith is counted as righteousness,' developing the same theological point drawn from Abraham's faith.
- James 2:23 (allusion): James cites 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness' to argue that true faith is demonstrated by works (and calls Abraham 'the friend of God').
- Hebrews 11:8-12 (thematic): Presents Abraham as the exemplary man of faith whose trust in God's promises (and resulting righteousness) is celebrated in the hall of faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- Even so, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.
- Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Gal.3.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Γινωσκετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αρα: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 15:6 (quotation): Paul's argument in Galatians rests on the Genesis declaration that 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' linking faith (not flesh) to inclusion in Abraham's family.
- Romans 4:11-12 (verbal): Paul explicitly states that Abraham 'is the father of all who believe,' using the same logic as Galatians to make believers heirs of Abraham apart from ethnic descent or circumcision.
- Romans 9:8 (thematic): Contrasts physical descent with the children of the promise: true 'children' are defined by the promise/faith rather than by fleshly genealogy, echoing Gal.3:7's definition of Abraham's offspring.
- Galatians 3:29 (structural): Direct continuation of Gal.3:7–8: Paul draws the conclusion that belonging to Christ makes one Abraham's offspring and an heir according to the promise, tying faith to covenantal inheritance.
- John 8:39 (thematic): Jesus discusses true sonship of Abraham, implying that ethical/faithful continuity, not mere biological descent, determines who truly belongs to Abraham—paralleling Paul's faith-based criterion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Know then that those who are of faith are Abraham's offspring.
- Know then that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
Gal.3.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- προιδουσα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,f,sg
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γραφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προευηγγελισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ενευλογηθησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
Parallels
- Genesis 12:3 (quotation): Paul directly echoes the promise to Abraham—'in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed'—which he cites as the prior proclamation of the gospel to Abraham.
- Genesis 22:18 (quotation): A parallel formulation of the Abrahamic promise—'by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed'—used in the background of Paul's point about Gentile blessing.
- Romans 4:13-16 (thematic): Paul links the Abrahamic promise to justification by faith and to the inclusion of the nations, a theme closely parallel to Galatians 3:8's argument about faith and Gentile righteousness.
- Acts 3:25 (allusion): Peter recalls the Abrahamic promise that 'in your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed,' applying it to God’s plan revealed in Christ—echoing the same tradition Paul invokes.
- Galatians 3:6-9 (structural): Immediate context: Paul argues from Abraham's example and scriptural promise that the righteous are those who live by faith and that Gentiles are included—of which v.8 is a summary assertion.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all the nations be blessed.'
- The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, announced the good news beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."
Gal.3.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ευλογουνται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- συν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πιστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 15:6 (quotation): Paul directly echoes Genesis 15:6 ('Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness') to ground the claim that blessing comes through faith as exemplified in Abraham.
- Genesis 12:3 (allusion): The promise that 'all families of the earth shall be blessed' through Abraham is the background for Paul’s claim that believers share in Abraham’s blessing.
- Romans 4:11 (verbal): Paul argues similarly that Abraham is the father of those who have faith (circumcised and uncircumcised), linking faith with inclusion in Abraham’s blessing.
- Galatians 3:7 (structural): Immediate parallel within Galatians: verse 3:7 states that those of faith are Abraham’s offspring, reinforcing that believers share Abraham’s status and blessing.
- Hebrews 11:8 (thematic): Hebrews presents Abraham as the paradigm of faith whose obedient trust results in God’s promises—echoing the theme that blessing accompanies faith as in Galatians 3:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then those of faith are blessed along with the believing Abraham.
- So then those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
Gal.3.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- υπο: PREP
- καταραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- οτι: CONJ
- Επικαταρατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εμμενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- γεγραμμενοις: PART,perf,pass,dat,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- βιβλιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Deut. 27:26 (quotation): Paul directly cites this Deuteronomic curse — "Cursed be everyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them" — as the law's verdict on those who fail to keep it.
- Gal. 3:13 (thematic): Immediate Pauline counterpoint: Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (appealing to Deut 21:23), addressing the consequence stated in 3:10.
- James 2:10 (verbal): Expresses the same principle that failing in one point of the law makes one guilty of all — parallels Gal. 3:10's emphasis on not 'continuing in all things' written in the law.
- Leviticus 26:14-39 (thematic): The covenant curses for disobedience in Leviticus provide the broader Torah background for Paul's claim that those who live by works of the law are 'under a curse.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law to do them.'
- For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law to do them."
Gal.3.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- νομω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δικαιουται: VERB,pres,pas,ind,3,sg
- παρα: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δηλον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- οτι: CONJ
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δικαιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ζησεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Habakkuk 2:4 (quotation): The exact OT text Paul cites — 'The righteous shall live by his faith' — which Galatians 3:11 quotes to argue justification by faith, not law.
- Romans 1:17 (quotation): Paul again cites Habakkuk 2:4 to introduce the theme that righteousness is revealed and received by faith, a foundational claim echoed in Galatians.
- Romans 3:28 (verbal): States the same theological conclusion as Galatians 3:11: justification is by faith apart from works of the law, making the claim explicit in Pauline argumentation.
- Romans 4:5 (thematic): Develops the doctrine that God justifies the ungodly by faith (not by works), reinforcing Galatians' claim that the righteous live by faith.
- Hebrews 10:38 (quotation): Directly cites Habakkuk 2:4 ('But my righteous one shall live by faith'), using the same OT proof to exhort perseverance in faith rather than reliance on the old covenant system.
Alternative generated candidates
- Clearly, no one is justified before God by the law; for 'The righteous shall live by faith.'
- Now that no one is justified by the law before God is plain; for "the righteous shall live by faith."
Gal.3.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- νομος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αλλ᾽·Ο: CONJ
- ποιησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ζησεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:5 (quotation): Source for the saying 'the man who does them shall live by them' (Moses' demand that one keep the statutes/judgments and live), which Paul cites to characterize the law's way of life.
- Habakkuk 2:4 (quotation): Text 'the righteous shall live by faith' is cited earlier in Galatians and stands as the contrasting principle to the law's ‘live by doing’ in 3:12.
- Romans 10:5 (verbal): Paul again contrasts law and faith and quotes Moses' formulation ('the man who practices the righteousness of the law shall live by it'), using language parallel to Gal 3:12.
- Galatians 3:11 (structural): Immediate context: Paul declares no one is justified by the law and appeals to 'the righteous shall live by faith,' which 3:12 then contrasts with the law's claim that one 'shall live by' doing its commands.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the law is not based on faith, but rather, 'The one who does them shall live by them.'
- And the law is not based on faith; rather, "The one who does these things will live by them."
Gal.3.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- εξηγορασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καταρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νομου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- γενομενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υπερ: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- καταρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- γεγραπται·Επικαταρατος: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κρεμαμενος: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- ξυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (quotation): Paul directly cites Deut.21:23 — 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree' — as the basis for calling Christ a curse on our behalf.
- Isaiah 53:4-6,10-12 (allusion): The Suffering Servant bears the people's iniquities and suffers vicariously; Gal.3:13 echoes this substitutionary suffering and bearing of punishment.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (thematic): Both passages present the doctrine of substitution: God 'made him to be sin' (or a curse) for our sake so we might be righteous.
- 1 Peter 2:24 (verbal): Peter says Christ 'bore our sins in his body on the tree,' closely paralleling Paul's language of Christ becoming a curse by being hung on a tree.
- Galatians 3:10 (structural): Immediate context: Paul argues that those who rely on the law are 'under a curse,' which sets up his claim that Christ redeemed believers from that curse.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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.'
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—
Gal.3.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ευλογια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γενηται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- επαγγελιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- λαβωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Genesis 12:3 (quotation): God’s promise to Abraham that 'all peoples on earth will be blessed' is the foundational promise Paul invokes — the blessing coming to the nations.
- Genesis 22:18 (quotation): The promise that 'by your offspring all nations will be blessed' is cited by Paul as the patriarchal promise fulfilled in Christ and extending to Gentiles.
- Galatians 3:8 (structural): Paul earlier argues that Scripture foresaw God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel to Abraham — linking Abraham’s blessing to Gentile inclusion by faith.
- Galatians 3:16 (verbal): Paul’s argument about the singular 'seed' (Christ) ties the Abrahamic promise directly to Christ, explaining how the blessing comes 'in Christ Jesus.'
- Galatians 4:6 (thematic): Speaks of God sending the Spirit of his Son into believers' hearts ('Abba, Father'), paralleling Gal.3:14’s claim that the promise of the Spirit is received (by faith) as part of Abraham’s blessing.
Alternative generated candidates
- So that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
- so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus, and that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
Let me ask only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being brought to completion by the flesh?
Did you endure so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Does the one who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
Know then that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, announced the good news beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed." So then those of faith are blessed with the believing Abraham.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law, to do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
The law is not based on faith; rather, "The one who does these things shall live by them."
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—
so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, and that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.