Paul was a master apologist, a defender of the faith against all kinds of attacks. We can learn much from Paul’s methods. He often engaged opponents on their own ground, taking principles that they accepted and showing how these in fact support his position. We see this in how he used the Scriptures against the legalists in Galatia. We now consider Galatians 3:10-14 Becoming a curse for us.
1. Curse
Paul exposes the real condition of the legalists who rely on obedience to the law to be right with God. He tells them, ‘All who rely on observing the law are under a curse’ (v10). Their true spiritual standing before God is the opposite of what they believe it to be. Their pride is groundless. (They are like the Pharisees in Luke 18:9). Paul has in mind Deuteronomy 27:26 which states that God, who is perfectly holy, requires perfect obedience from all men, to the written law or to the law written on their conscience. One sin destroys our righteousness and constitute us sinners, bringing down God’s curse on us.
2. Faith
Paul draws the conclusion from Deuteronomy 27:26 (and from the entire OT): ‘no-one is justified before God by the law’ (v11). How is justification to be obtained? The answer is ‘we…have put our faith in Jesus Christ that we may be justified by faith in Christ’ (2:16). Paul now reinforces this by citing Habakkuk 2:4 ‘The righteous will live by faith’ (v11). To be righteous in God’s sight and to live a righteous life, a sinner must believe in Christ. Law and faith are mutually exclusive as ways of seeking justification before the Lord. The law requires perfect compliance (Leviticus 18:5), something only Christ could render.
3. Redemption
We cannot deliver ourselves from the curse, but God has provided the answer – ‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us’ (v13). The incarnate Son of God has acted as the Substitute for those under the curse of the broken law. At the cross ‘God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). God’s justice has been satisfied and righteousness has been provided. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23 ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree’. Our curse has been taken by One who did not deserve it. Christ provides redemption, with his blood the purchase price.
4. Blessing
The purpose of God’s gracious work in Christ: ‘in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus’ (v14). In place of a curse, there is now blessing. Note the vital link with Abraham. Jews and Gentiles are saved in the same way as Abraham – by faith (v6). The same truth is stated in another way – ‘so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit’ (v14). The fruit of Christ’s redemptive work is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who creates the faith that leads to justification. The work is fully trinitarian.