10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM."
11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--
14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Here Paul begins to approach this problem from another direction. He has just shown righteousness comes by faith. Now he will show that obedience to the Law is not efficacious for salvation.
Vs. 10 - “As are of the works of the Law” - This is to contrast against verse 3:9. The wording is similar: compare “those who are of faith” with “as many as are of the works of the Law”. There are those who think they can keep every aspect of the Law. If that were true, sacrifices would not be necessary. God knows that it is impossible to never break the Law.
“For it is written, ‘Cursed...’ ” - This quote is from Deut. 27:26, and repeated in Psa. 119:21 and Jer. 11:3. This is not just Jews that are condemned, for Gentiles are definitely no keepers of the Law. All creation, all mankind is under the curse of death, both physical and spiritual. See: John 3:36. It is important to note - God is not out to “get you”. He is not lying in wait, similar to the traffic police hiding behind a billboard, to trap you when you exceed the speed limit. He is not there to catch you when you commit a sin. We are sinners by birth, not by commission.
The Law was not adequate to erase or eliminate the sin. The Jews who understood it was the faith in God - that He would honor their efforts, because they believed His promise - are the people mentioned in the letter to the Hebrews. (See: Heb. 11:39, 40). Their faith had to be in God, not in the obedience to the Law.
They did not know their how faith would be fulfilled hundreds of years later in Jesus. They believed God would save them. They did not deserve salvation because they kept the rules - it was because they believed God was merciful. The Holy Spirit - evidence that you are a child of God, and therefore saved - is not given as a reward because of things you have accomplished.
Vs. 11 - “No one is justified by the Law” - The emphasis is “Faith works. The Law does not.” We do not meet God’s perfect standard of sinless perfection by doing. No act of service, no good behavior, no hint of obedience - none of these provides enough spiritual capital to pay the price for our sin nature.
“The righteous man shall live by faith.” - see in the OT prophet, Hab. 2:4.
God issues a warning to Judah. There’s an interesting conversation between Habakkuk and God (See: Hab. 1:1-11, 12-17). In the middle of the pronouncement of judgment against Judah. Habakkuk cries out to God because he sees nothing being done to judge the evil the Judah is committing. He has a ‘be careful what you wish for’ moment when God answers Judah will be judged, He has picked the nation to do the job.
Habakkuk says, “The Chaldeans! Not the Chaldeans!”
God replies that the nation of Judah has “earned” this judgment. On the other hand, the Chaldeans will not get away with plunder, even though they are God’s chosen instrument of judgment. Their judgment is coming. They are proud and haughty, positive they rule the world and can do whatever they wish, which gets in the way of serving the Lord.
This is the warning - our pride needs to be in Jesus, not in our accomplishments.
Vs. 12 - “Law is not of faith” - The righteousness of the Law is not the righteousness of faith. It is a façade. Those who cling to rules (the Law) are thinking, “Look what I have done!” That is pride.
Vs. 13 - “Redeemed us from the curse” - Relying on the Law condemns us to death, i.e., eternal separation from God. It is always important to recognize the death to be feared and avoided is the ‘second death’. We all die the first - a physical death. That in itself is fearsome, no one relishes dying - we all want to go peacefully in our sleep. God emphasizes that our life on earth, about 70 years - give or take a few - is so short compared to eternity. Our body dies but not our soul and spirit.
The next step is life forever with Him, or life forever without Him.
“Having become a curse for us” - A metaphor concerning Jesus taking the weight of all creation’s sins upon Himself. He took the curse of death. His resurrection is proof that the price was paid - IN FULL - and we can approach God boldly through His grace. See Heb. 4:16. This can be contrasted and compared to the warning to be careful as you approach God, watch your words, watch your actions, don’t be a fool - see Eccl. 5:1,2.
“For it is written...” - This quote comes from Deut. 21:22, 23. (This is a passage on capital punishment - i.e., if a criminal has been executed by hanging the body is to be buried before sunset. The dead body hanging there overnight will “defile the land”.) It is not obvious why someone who is hanged is accursed, other than the crime committed is an affront to God - that should be enough reason.
Vs. 14 - “In order that... might come to the Gentiles” - Jesus took away the curse of the Law. He took away all of the requirements of obedience to the Law. He fulfilled the Law. The Law is no longer needed, nor it is a factor in our salvation. Salvation comes by faith, and faith alone. If by faith (and it is), then Gentiles and Jews alike can freely come to God and be considered righteous!
“Receive the promise of the Spirit” - If Jesus was not raised from the dead, the Holy Spirit could not, would not be given to us. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit. See: John 16:7-14. Throughout the book of Acts we see the new believers filled with the Holy Spirit, and this filling is evidence they are saved. See: Acts 8:14-17, 11:14-17, 13:52, 15:8, 19:2, 6.
“Through faith” - Paul started this paragraph with faith (vs. 5), and ends it with faith.
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