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SEPTEMBER 25
Proverbs 26:3–4
A whip for the horse,
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A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back. 3:2 Did you receive the Spirit…? The answer
Do not answer a fool according to his Galatians had received the Spirit when they
4 to Paul’s rhetorical question is obvious. The
folly,
Lest you also be like him. were saved (Rom.8:9; 1 Cor.12:13; 1 John 3:24;
4:13), not through keeping the law, but
Galatians 3:1–29 through saving faith granted when hearing
the gospel (Rom. 10:17).The hearing of faith is
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched actually hearing with faith. Paul appealed to
3 you that you should not obey the truth, the Galatians’ own salvation to refute the
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly Judaizers’ false teaching that keeping the law
portrayed among you as crucified? This only is necessary for salvation.
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3:3 Are you so foolish? Incredulous at how
easily the Galatians had been duped, Paul
3:1 foolish. This refers not to lack of intelli- asked a second rhetorical question, again
gence, but to lack of obedience (Luke 24:25; rebuking them for their foolishness. begun in
1Tim. 6:9; Titus 3:3). Paul expressed his shock, the Spirit,…by the flesh.The notion that sin-
surprise, and outrage at the Galatians’ defec- ful, weak, fallen human nature could improve
tion. Who…? The Judaizers, the Jewish false on the saving work of the Holy Spirit was ludi-
teachers were plaguing the Galatian churches. crous to Paul.
bewitched. Charmed or misled by flattery and
false promises.The term suggests an appeal to
the emotions by the Judaizers. clearly por- which are written in the book of the law, to do
trayed. The Greek word describes the posting them.” But that no one is justified by the law
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of official notices in public places. Paul’s in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall
preaching had publicly displayed the true live by faith.” Yet the law is not of faith, but
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gospel of Jesus Christ before the Galatians. “the man who does them shall live by them.”
crucified. The crucifixion of Christ was a one- 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of
time historical fact with continuing results the law, having become a curse for us (for it is
into eternity. Christ’s sacrificial death provides written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a
eternal payment for believers’ sins (Heb. 7:25) tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might
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and does not need to be supplemented by come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we
any human works.
might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men:
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I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hear- confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now
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ing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun to Abraham and his Seed were the promises
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in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of
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by the flesh? Have you suffered so many many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who
things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which
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5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot
and works miracles among you, does He do it annul the covenant that was confirmed before
by the works of the law, or by the hearing of by God in Christ, that it should make the
faith?— just as Abraham “believed God, and it promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is
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was accounted to him for righteousness.” of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God
Therefore know that only those who are of gave it to Abraham by promise.
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faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was
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foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles added because of transgressions, till the Seed
by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham should come to whom the promise was made;
beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations and it was appointed through angels by the hand
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shall be blessed.” So then those who are of of a mediator. Now a mediator does not mediate
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faith are blessed with believing Abraham. for one only, but God is one.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law 21 Is the law then against the promises of God?
are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed Certainly not! For if there had been a law given
is everyone who does not continue in all things which could have given life, truly righteousness
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