Lesson 17 July 14, 2002

Summary 3:8

1. The means of justification has always been the same, by faith.

2. Therefore this justification by faith is available to all, regardless of one's race, geographic location and has always been so.

3. Abraham then was justified by faith many years, 40-50, before he was circumcised Rom. 4:10.

4. The promise of the blessing than to all mankind, to all nations, would be through Jesus Christ who would be seed of Abraham. Gal. 3:16; Mat. 1:1

5. The blessing to all mankind is from being spiritually identified with Abraham's faith, not a physical identification with him or with an overt physical observance like circumcision.

6. This verse highlights Paul's view that Scripture is linked directly with the communication of God.

7. Need to remember what Paul is doing with his theological arguments here. He's answering the false conclusions that the Judaizers had given to the Galatians.

Believe that the Judaizers might have argued in the following way:

a. We have Abraham as our father, he was chosen by YHWH as founder of the race.

b. Abraham received the rite of circumcision as a sign of YHWH's covenant blessing.

c. Therefore, since all the heathen Gentiles were to be blessed in Abraham, they would of necessity have to be incorporated into his descendency by the same rite of circumcision.

8. Paul here in this paragraph is saying very strongly, No, your wrong, you've made the wrong deduction. It is not the essence of Abraham's circumcision that makes a Gentile a spiritual son, but it the essence of His faith.

3:9 His summary conclusion

So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

Summary 3:9

1. This blessing or provision is made available to all nations, all peoples (unlimited atonement) but only those who exhale faith in Christ are the recipients of this blessing.

2. This brings us eternal blessing, (fruit of justification - heaven) as well as the potential for blessing in time, in our life.

3. Faith or trust in what God provides is never misplaced trust!

4. We will be able to share Abraham's company during the millennium.

3:10-14 Continues with his theological argument by showing the illogic of reliance on the Law.

What he is going to do here is to contrast the negative impact of the law performance living and the positive deliverance through Christ alone.

3:10 The Law brings a curse

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;

But what is the real case! are under a curse;

There are two broad and inclusive expressions in this verse: “everyone” and “all things.” Paul wanted the Galatians to realize that when they subject themselves to the Law, they subject themselves to it in its entirety.

Summary 3:10

1. Paul in Galatians 3 recognizes two classes of people.

#1 those out from the source of faith vs:7, 9

#2 those out from the source of works, 10, (2,5 works of law)

2. The first group, of faith group, have discovered that the source of justification and therefore blessing by God is by faith.

3. While the second group, of works group, are those who are attempting by their own efforts to obtain blessing from God.

4. What Paul is emphatically saying here is that for anyone to attempt to obtain a standing before God on the basis of law keeping not only fails to find the blessing, but in reality is placing himself under a curse which insures the wrath of God.

5. Paul demonstrates his proposition from the Scriptures. Quotes Dt. 27:26

He gives us four basic facts about the law that are pertinent.

a. God's law never misses a violator.

b. God's law allows for no lapses in compliance.

c. God's law requires total obedience.

d. God's law demands actual performance not mere lip service.

6. This verse is a strong statement to those like the Judaizers who operated on the premise that to submit to the law entitled them or brought them special blessing.