Galatians 3:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 3:6-18

The apostle having reproved the Galatians for not obeying the truth, and endeavoured to impress them with a sense of their folly herein, in these verses he largely proves the doctrine which he had reproved them for rejecting, namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. This he does several ways. I. From the example of Abraham's justification. This argument the apostle uses, Rom. 4:1-25. Abraham believed God, and that was accounted to him for righteousness (Gal. 3:6);... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 3:1-9

3:1-9 O senseless Galatians, who has put the evil eye on you--you before whose very eyes Jesus Christ was placarded upon his Cross? Tell me this one thing--did you receive the Spirit by doing the works the law lays down, or because you listened and believed? Are you so senseless? After beginning your experience of God in the Spirit, are you now going to try to complete it by making it dependent upon what human nature can do? Is the tremendous experience you had all for nothing--if indeed you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 3:6

Even as Abraham believed God ,.... The apostle having observed, that the special grace and extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were received not through the preaching of the law, but through the doctrine of faith; by an easy transition, passes on to a further confirmation of the doctrine of justification by faith, by producing the instance of Abraham, what the Scripture says of him, and the promise made unto him; which is very appropriate to his purpose, since Abraham was certainly a righteous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:6

Abraham believed God - This is quoted from Genesis 15:6 ; (note); and St. Paul produces it, Romans 4:3-5 ; (note). Abraham, while even uncircumcised, believed in God, and his faith was reckoned to him for justification; and Abraham is called the father of the faithful, or, of believers. If, then, he was justified without the deeds of the law, he was justified by faith; and if he was justified by faith, long before the law was given then the law is not necessary to salvation. It is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 3:6

Verse 6 Having appealed to facts and experience, he now gives quotations from Scripture. And first, he brings forward the example of Abraham. Arguments drawn from examples are not always so conclusive, but this is one of the most powerful, because neither in the subject nor in the person is there any ground of exception. There is no variety of roads to righteousness, and so Abraham is called “the father of all them that believe,” (Romans 4:11,) because he is a pattern adapted to all; nay, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

The bewitchery of Law. Paul, having stated his position as dead to the Law and inspired by Christ, goes on in the present paragraph to appeal to the Galatians to free themselves from the bewitching power of Law, and to yield themselves to the faith in a crucified and now risen Christ, which alone secures justification and its cognate blessings. And here we notice— I. HOW LAW CAN COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY WITH A CRUCIFIED SAVIOUR FOR THE HOMAGE OF THOUGHTLESS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:1-14

Appeal to experience and Scripture. I. FOOLISHNESS OF THE GALATIANS SHOWN FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE . 1 . Expression of astonishment in view o f their first impressions of the cross. "O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?" Paul's address to Peter concluded with his presenting the dreadful supposition of Christ having died for nought. He with that turns to the Galatians, and calls to their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:6

Even as Abraham believed God , and it was accounted to him for righteousness ( καθὼς ἀβραὰμ ἐπίστευσε τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην ); was reckoned unto him for righteousness. The answer to the question in the foregoing verse is so obvious that the apostle goes on as if that answer had been given, namely, that it was simply in consequence of the hearing of faith that God conferred on any the Holy Spirit and his powers. This, he now adds, was in exact... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:6-9

Second argument—the case of Abraham. The natural answer to the previous question is "through the hearing of faith," and this as naturally suggests the case of "faithful Abraham." The Jews boasted of their relationship to Abraham, and therefore an example taken from his history would have special force. I. THE JUSTIFICATION OF ABRAHAM WAS NOT THROUGH CIRCUMCISION , BUT BY FAITH . "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." No... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 3:6-9

The faith and blessing of Abraham. Not only, says the apostle, did you begin the Christian life in faith, but even Abraham, whom the Jews reverence as their great exemplar, and whose heir they profess to be, even he was justified by faith; and therefore they who enjoy his blessing are the possessors of the same faith. I. ABRAHAM WAS A MAN OF FAITH . He knew nothing of the Levitical Law. He walked by faith. His faith was not assent to a creed. Nor was it an intelligent... read more

Group of Brands