Galatians 3:1-14
The general plan of the epistle unfolds itself thus: ch. 1, 2: personal witness of the apostle; ch. 3, 4: doctrine of salvation by faith; ch. 5, 6: practical life of the believer through grace.
Paul’s heart is overwhelmed: his zeal for the truth is matched by his love for his poor Galatians. What misleading spirit had bewitched them, that they have gone so far as to forget the grace of God? Alas, many Christians are like them. Christ crucified has been clearly set before their eyes (v. 1). They believed in Him, and through the Holy Spirit received the assurance of salvation. But they did not have confidence in Him to lead them in their Christian life. Having begun in the Spirit, they continue in the flesh (v. 3). Do you really think that God, after having justified us, can rely on us to finish His work? No, and it is because the same faith which has saved us is also that which we need to live by (v. 11). The righteous law of God, by contrast, could only cause us to die, to curse us, for we were incapable of carrying it out. It was necessary that Christ should take our place under this curse. To redeem us from it He paid the whole, terrible price. He endured the curse of the law when He took, on the cross, the place that I deserved. May He ever be blessed for it!