GAL 3:10-14

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10All who are of the works of the Law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not remain in all the things written in the book of the Law to do them." [3:11] That no one is declared righteous before God by the Law is clear, because "the righteous one will live by faith." [3:12] The Law is not of faith; rather, "the one who does these things will live by them." [3:13] Christ bought us out from under the curse of the Law, having become a curse in our place — for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" — [3:14] so that the concrete gift of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

In the world it was spoken into

In this passage, Paul addresses a community grappling with the role of the Mosaic Law in their newfound faith in Christ. For Jewish listeners, the 'curse of the Law' would evoke Deuteronomy 27:26, where failure to uphold the Law’s demands brings divine judgment. The Law was central to Jewish identity, and its observance was seen as the path to righteousness. Paul’s assertion that 'no one is justified by the Law' would have been jarring, as it challenged the assumption that adherence to Torah secured one’s standing before God. The phrase 'the righteous will live by faith' (Habakkuk 2:4) reframes righteousness as rooted in trust in God’s promise rather than in Law-keeping. Paul’s claim that Christ became a 'curse' for us draws on Deuteronomy 21:23, where hanging on a tree signifies divine rejection. This would have been shocking, as it portrays Christ absorbing the Law’s curse to redeem those under it. The 'blessing of Abraham' refers to the covenantal promises of Genesis 12:3, now fulfilled in Christ and extended to Gentiles.

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How other translations render this

GAL 3:10

KJV: For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
BSB: All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Koinōnos: All who are of the works of the Law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not remain in all the things written in the book of the Law to do them.

GAL 3:11

KJV: But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
BSB: Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Koinōnos: That no one is declared righteous before God by the Law is clear, because "the righteous one will live by faith.

GAL 3:12

KJV: And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
BSB: The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”
Koinōnos: The Law is not of faith; rather, "the one who does these things will live by them.

GAL 3:13

KJV: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
BSB: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Koinōnos: Christ bought us out from under the curse of the Law, having become a curse in our place — for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" —

GAL 3:14

KJV: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
BSB: He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Koinōnos: so that the concrete gift of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

GAL 3:10

works:The word translated 'works' refers to deeds or actions, often implying those done in accordance with a law or custom, rather than simply any activity.

GAL 3:11

is justified:The term translated 'is justified' means to be declared righteous or acquitted, not necessarily to be made righteous in one's character, but to be put into a right legal standing.

GAL 3:13

redeemed:The word translated 'redeemed' carries the sense of buying someone out of slavery or from a market, often at a cost, to set them free.

GAL 3:14

blessing:The word translated 'blessing' can refer to a spoken word of praise or benediction, but also to the concrete benefit or gift that results from such a blessing.