Galatians 3

IIIA. The Galatians’ experience of conversion (3:1-5) v. 1: “bewitched” – language of pagan magic  significance? series of rhetorical questions  it’s illogical for the Galatians to seek a fuller Christian life through observance of the law

IIIA. The Galatians’ experience of conversion (3:1-5) v. 3: pun on “flesh” Reliance on the old Adam, the unregenerate Allusion to circumcision Tone?

IIIB. The gospel in the OT (1): Abraham (3:6-9) Summary: The OT example of Abraham teaches that it is through genuine faith, not the law, that one is counted righteous vv. 7-8: How is Abraham the father of those who have faith? (Hint: Gal. 3:6 or Gen. 15:6) He has a family of spiritual children who believe as he did (not because he is the biological ancestor of the Jews)

IIIB. The gospel in the OT (1): Abraham (3:6-9) Abraham was not an Israelite but a pagan (see Gen. 11:31), and God justified him by faith (see Genesis 15:6)  living OT prophecy of the gospel covenant: a formal mutual agreement or promise of legal validity

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) Summary: Any attempt to be justified by the law leads to a curse, for righteousness comes only by faith in the atoning work of Jesus. All those indwelt by the Holy Spirit enjoy the blessing of Abraham. Atone: to make amends for, to make reconciliation

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) Can someone be “of faith” AND “rely on the works of the law”? v. 10: What happens to those who do not do everything enjoined in the law? Cursed  Perfect obedience to the law is required. Failure to do all that is written in the law condemns.

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) v. 11: Even Habakkuk says that righteousness cannot be achieved through the law, but that the righteous shall live by faith. Where is Habakkuk in the Bible? Significance?

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) v. 12: Paul uses Leviticus to show that “the law is not based on faith.” This promise relies on a human “doing of the law” in a complete & sufficient way. How often does this happen? NEVER and thus remains unfulfilled

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) Why are people under a divine curse? Our sin v. 13: How are we redeemed from the curse? Christ’s work on the cross (cf. Deut. 21:23)

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) OT animal sacrifices were always meant to be temporary, intending only to point to Christ’s sacrifice. Christ is the only means by which the curse of the law can be removed.

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) v. 14: To whom does Christ hanging on a pole bring blessing? Not just Israel but also to the Gentiles v. 14: “promise of the Holy Spirit” – Believers have the living presence of God with them.

IIIC. The gospel in the OT (2): Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Habakkuk (3:10-14) How (i.e. through what) is the promise of Genesis 12:3 now a reality? Jesus! (not by circumcision or submission to the Mosaic law) Recap: Since Gentiles are part of Abraham’s family by receiving the Spirit, they do not need to submit to circumcision or the law to become part of the people of God.

IIID. An illustration from human law (3:15-18) Summary: The Mosaic covenant was an interim covenant that did not contradict the promises of the Abrahamic covenant (made earlier). v. 16: “promises” (word choice)  emphasis on God’s work or earning through human effort? It is only in Christ that the promised blessings would come to the Gentiles, and Paul emphasizes that the promises made to Abraham have now become a reality in Jesus.

IIID. An illustration from human law (3:15-18) v. 17: The Abrahamic covenant came before the Mosaic covenant by 430 years. Therefore, the Abrahamic covenant takes precedence, and the Mosaic law functions as a subordinate (secondary) covenant that cannot invalidate (cancel) the terms of the Abrahamic covenant.

IIID. An illustration from human law (3:15-18) Abrahamic Covenant Mosaic Covenant Unconditional Conditional Characterized by promise Characterized by law Focuses on God saving people Accents human obedience Celebrates God’s work in delivering His people Summons human beings to keep the law

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) The law was never intended to be in force forever, and now that the promised Messiah has come, those who believe in him are sons and daughters of God. v. 19: So then, if the law is not the primary covenant but subordinate to the Abrahamic covenant, and the law has no impact on God’s plan rooted in his promise, why was the law ever given? “Because of transgressions”

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) transgression: a violation of law, duty, or command The law was given: (a) to teach people more clearly what God requires and thereby to restrain transgressions, (b) to provide a sacrificial system to deal temporarily with transgressions, and (c) to reveal people’s sinfulness and need for a savior

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 19: The law was never intended to be in force forever. Hence, when the promised Seed arrived (i.e. Jesus), the law’s jurisdiction ended. The law was always intended as an interim arrangement.

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 21: Does the law then contradict the promise? NO! But they don’t have the same function (different roles). v. 21: The law revealed how people should live, but it did not provide the power to enable human beings to live in a way that pleases God. The law was not a source of life. However, the promise does provide life by grace alone (wholly the work of God).

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 23: The coming of faith represents the inauguration (official beginning) of a new era in redemptive history, the time when God was fulfilling his eschatological promises. eschatology: concerning ‘the four last things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell’

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 24: The law as guardian (intermediary) had the functions of (1) restraining transgressions, (2) foretelling the coming of Christ (e.g. Passover), and (3) demonstrating the ability of sin to assimilate the law for its own purposes. However, now, the era of the law has ended. Human beings are justified before God by faith in Jesus Christ.

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 26: “children” (word choice) in new covenant vs. “slave” in old covenant Ideas of adoption into God’s family; privileges, obligations, and inheritance rights

IIIE. Passing from slavery to sonship (3:19-4:7) v. 28: In the new covenant, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. v. 29: Paul’s main thesis in this chapter: Those who belong to Christ are part of Abraham’s family Therefore, they do not need to be circumcised to become part of God’s people

Homework Read Galatians 4.