Galatians 3

III. THEOLOGICAL AFFIRMATION OF SALVATION BY FAITH CHS. 3-4

Here begins the theological section of the epistle, which Paul led up to in his preceding historical account of his own conversion and calling culminating in his confrontation with Peter over justification. In one sense Paul began this emphasis in Galatians 2:15, but Galatians 2:15-21 also concludes the preceding section of the epistle. Paul first vindicated the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and then he clarified it (ch. 4).

A. Vindication of the doctrine ch. 3

Paul explained the meaning of justification and sanctification by faith alone. He argued their validity from experience (Galatians 3:1-5), from Scripture (Galatians 3:6-14), and from logic (Galatians 3:15-29) to dissuade his readers from returning to reliance on the Mosaic Law. In Galatians 3:1-18 Paul argued against legalism, the belief that we can make ourselves acceptable to God by keeping rules. [Note: Cf. Tom Thatcher, "The Plot of Galatians 3:1-18," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 40:3 (September 1997): 401-10.] In Galatians 3:19 to Galatians 4:7 he argued against nomism, the belief that we need to make law the ruling governor of our lives. [Note: Longenecker, p. 97.]

"Paul’s Galatian letter, it must always be remembered, is not concerned just with ’legalism,’ even though sadly it is often understood only in those terms. Rather, Galatians is principally concerned with ’nomism’ or whether Gentiles who believe in Christ must also be subject to the directives of the Mosaic law." [Note: Ibid., p. 219.]

"Galatians 3:1-18 is one of the most familiar and closely studied portions of Paul’s letters. That is so because of its concentration of themes central to the Christian gospel, its attack against legalism, and the complexity of Paul’s arguments in support of a law-free gospel." [Note: Ibid., p. 98.]