Can you give me an Explanation for Galatians 3:1-29 in orderly form Verse 1 to Verse 29? And can you go deep on these verse please also?

Answer 1

Certainly! Here is an explanation of Galatians 3:1-29 in an orderly form along with a deeper dive into each verse:

Verse 1: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified."

Explanation: In this verse, the apostle Paul rebukes the Galatians for being easily swayed by false teachers who had led them astray from the truth of the gospel. He reminds them that they had initially believed in the crucified Christ, and should not be swayed from that belief.

Verse 2: "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?"

Explanation: Paul challenges the Galatians to reflect on how they initially received the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that receiving the Spirit was not based on their adherence to the law, but on their faith in Jesus Christ.

Verse 3: "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

Explanation: Paul questions the Galatians’ decision to now rely on their own efforts to attain righteousness, rather than continuing to trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. He highlights the futility of trying to achieve perfection through human effort alone.

Verse 4: "Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?"

Explanation: Paul reminds the Galatians of the hardships they endured for their faith, questioning whether those sufferings were in vain if they now turn away from the true gospel and embrace a false one.

Verse 5: "Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—"

Explanation: Paul emphasizes that the power of the Holy Spirit and the miraculous works done among the Galatians were not based on their adherence to the law, but on their faith in God. He contrasts faith with legalism as the means by which God works in their lives.

Verse 6: "just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?"

Explanation: Paul refers to the example of Abraham, who believed in God's promises and was considered righteous by God because of his faith, not because of his adherence to the law. This serves as a reminder that righteousness comes through faith, not works.

Verse 7: "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."

Explanation: Paul explains that true descendants of Abraham are not defined by physical lineage alone, but by their faith in God. Those who have faith in Christ are considered spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Verse 8: "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”"

Explanation: Paul highlights that the gospel message of salvation by faith was not a new concept, but was preached to Abraham in the Old Testament. The promise of blessing to all nations through Abraham's descendants ultimately points to Jesus Christ and the salvation offered to all through faith in Him.

Verse 9: "So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Explanation: Paul concludes that those who have faith, like Abraham, are blessed by God. This blessing is not based on adherence to the law but on trusting in God's promises.

Verse 10: "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

Explanation: Paul warns that those who rely on keeping the law for their righteousness are under a curse because no one can perfectly obey the law. The curse applies to all who do not fulfill every requirement of the law.

Verse 11: "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”"

Explanation: Paul emphasizes that justification before God does not come through the law but through faith. He quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to show that righteousness and life come through faith, not legalistic works.

Verse 12: "But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”"

Explanation: Paul distinguishes between the law and faith, highlighting that the law requires strict obedience and offers life only to those who perfectly fulfill it. In contrast, faith brings life through a relationship with God.

Verse 13: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—

Explanation: Paul explains that Jesus Christ took on the curse of the law by becoming a curse for humanity through His sacrificial death on the cross. This act of redemption frees believers from the condemnation of the law.

Verse 14: "so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."

Explanation: Paul emphasizes that through faith in Christ, Gentiles can receive the blessings promised to Abraham. Believers, both Jews and Gentiles, receive the Holy Spirit as a result of their faith in Jesus.

Verse 15: "To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified."

Explanation: Paul uses the example of a human covenant to illustrate the permanence and finality of God's covenant with Abraham. Just as a human covenant cannot be altered once established, God's promises remain unchanging.

Verse 16: "Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ."

Explanation: Paul explains that the promises made to Abraham and his descendants ultimately point to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of those promises. Jesus is the singular offspring through whom all nations are blessed.

Verse 17: "This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void."

Explanation: Paul clarifies that the law given to Moses does not cancel out or nullify the covenant God made with Abraham years earlier. The promises made to Abraham remain valid and are fulfilled in Christ.

Verse 18: "For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."

Explanation: Paul underscores that the inheritance of salvation and blessing does not come through adherence to the law but through God's promise. God's covenant with Abraham is based on His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Verse 19: "Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary."

Explanation: Paul explains that the law was given to reveal and confront humanity's sinfulness until the time of Christ's coming. The law served as a temporary measure until the fulfillment of the promise in Christ.

Verse 20: "Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one."

Explanation: Paul emphasizes that God, who gave the promise to Abraham, is singular and does not require an intermediary like the law. The direct relationship between God and humanity is established through faith in Christ.

Verse 21: "Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law."

Explanation: Paul clarifies that the law does not contradict God's promises but serves a different purpose. The law cannot bring about righteousness or salvation; it reveals sin and points to the need for a Savior.

Verse 22: "But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."

Explanation: Paul explains that the law exposes humanity's sinfulness and inability to save themselves. The promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is extended to all who believe, regardless of their background or status.

Verse 23: "Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed."

Explanation: Paul describes the state of humanity before the arrival of faith in Christ. People were held captive and imprisoned by the law, unable to free themselves from sin and condemnation.

Verse 24: "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."

Explanation: Paul explains that the law served as a guardian or tutor, guiding and directing people towards Christ. The purpose of the law was to lead individuals to recognize their need for a Savior and to point them towards justification by faith.

Verse 25: "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,"

Explanation: Paul declares that with the arrival of faith in Christ, believers are no longer under the guardianship of the law. They are set free from the burden of strict legalistic requirements and find their righteousness in Christ.

Verse 26: "for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."

Explanation: Paul proclaims that through faith in Christ, believers are adopted as children of God and heirs of His promises. Their identity as sons of God is based on their relationship with Christ, not their obedience to the law.

Verse 27: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Explanation: Paul uses baptism as a symbol of believers' identification with Christ. Through baptism, believers publicly declare their union with Christ and His righteousness, allowing them to live in accordance with their new identity in Him.

Verse 28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Explanation: Paul highlights the unity and equality of all believers in Christ, regardless of their background or social status. In Christ, distinctions based on ethnicity, social class, or gender are erased, and believers are united in their shared identity in Him.

Verse 29: "And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."

Explanation: Paul concludes by affirming that those who belong to Christ are considered spiritual descendants of Abraham and inheritors of God's promises. Believers receive the blessings and benefits of the covenant made with Abraham through their faith in Christ.

In conclusion, Galatians 3:1-29 emphasizes the primacy of faith in Christ for salvation and righteousness, contrasting it with legalistic adherence to the law. The passage highlights the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ and the unity of believers as heirs of those promises. Paul urges the Galatians to return to their initial faith in Christ and to resist the temptation to rely on their own works for righteousness. Through faith in Christ, believers are adopted as children of God, united in Him, and recipients of the blessings promised to Abraham.