(11, 12) The Law could not bring a blessing. It could not justify. For the condition of justification is faith; and the Law has nothing to do with faith. Its standpoint was entirely different—that of works. read more
(12) The law is not of faith.—The ruling principle of the Law is not faith, but something else—works.The man that doeth them.—By “them” is meant the “statutes” and “judgments” mentioned immediately before in the verse (Leviticus 18:5) from which the quotation is taken. Just as the stress was upon “faith” in the last verse, so here it falls on the word “doeth:” it is a matter of works.Shall live.—The idea of life receives an enlargement, corresponding to the fuller revelation of immortality in... read more
Galatians 3:1 'How any man with clear head and honest heart,' wrote Sterling, 'and capable of seeing realities, and distinguishing them from scenic fancies, should, after living in a Romanist country, and especially at Rome, be inclined to side with Leo against Luther, I cannot understand.' References. III. 1. Bishop Winnington-Ingram, The Men Who Crucify Christ, p. 1. D. C. A. Agnew, The Soul's Business and Prospects, p. 1. T. Arnold, Christian Life; Its Hopes, p. 254. Spurgeon, Sermons,... read more
Chapter 12ABRAHAM’S BLESSING AND THE LAW’S CURSE.Galatians 3:6-14FAITH then, we have learnt, not works of law, was the condition on which the Galatians received the Spirit of Christ. By this gate they entered the Church of God, and had come into possession of the spiritual blessings common to all Christian believers, and of those extraordinary gifts of grace which marked the Apostolic days.In this mode of salvation, the Apostle goes on to show, there was after all nothing new. The righteousness... read more
II. CONTRASTS BETWEEN LAW AND GRACE CHAPTER 3 1. The gift of the Spirit not by the works of the law, but by hearing of faith. (Galatians 3:1-5 ) 2. Righteousness not bestowed by the law, but by faith. (Galatians 3:6-9 ) 3. The law curses; the curse born by Christ. (Galatians 3:10-14 ) 4. The law cannot annul the covenant of promise, (Galatians 3:15-18 ) 5. Wherefore serveth the law? (Galatians 3:19-22 ) 6. Faith having come--no longer under the law, (Galatians 3:23-25 ) 7. Sons of God... read more
3:12 {13} And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.(13) Here is a reason shown of the former conclusion: because the law promises life to all that keep it, and therefore if it is kept, it justifies and gives life. But the scripture attributing righteousness and life to faith takes it from the Law, seeing that faith justifies by imputation, and the Law by the performing of the work. read more
FAITH IS THE ONE PRINCIPLE OF BLESSING (vs.1-9) "0 foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?" (v.1). Little wonder, as Paul considers the principles and tremendous issues involved, that he speaks out in words of earnest remonstrance and entreaty. Had it not been portrayed before their very eyes, preached with diligent insistence, that Jesus Christ had been crucified? Would they again exchange the blessedness and joy of the knowledge of the Son of God, who had willingly given Himself for... read more
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH Having established his authority as an apostle, and his right to expound the Gospel he had received, Paul now enters upon the elucidation of the latter, or rather proceeds to the defense of its cardinal teaching. This is the doctrine that man is justified only by faith in Jesus Christ without the works of the law. The same doctrine was enlarged upon in Romans, only there he was expressing the Divine side of its truth while here he is showing the human side. There he... read more
The Sublimest Gift of God Gal 3:7 No matter where they were born, they may call Abraham "father." They were born Gentiles or pagans or savages, but by faith they may be made members of a noble and majestic lineage. This is what God is always doing; making the first last, and the last first, and showing men, that whatever point they may start from, they may by certain processes become associated with the most royal and exalted of human history. That you were born in obscurity is nothing; you... read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Galatians 3:6-14
(6-14) These prolific results are due to faith, and not to the Law; just as it was faith which won for Abraham that imputed righteousness. Faith was the cause, blessing the consequence, which extends to all the spiritual descendants of Abraham. The Scripture distinctly foresaw this when it declared that the heathen too (i.e., those who believe from among the heathen) should be blessed in Abraham. The effects of the Law are just the opposite of this. Where faith brings a blessing the Law brought... read more