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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Chapter 3 continues the literary unit begun in Gal_2:15-21. In chapters 3 and 4 Paul develops the theological aspects of his gospel (these become developed further in the book of Romans). Apparently, the Judaizers attacked him personally as a means of attacking his preaching.
B. The structure of chapter 3 is easily discernible.
1. In Gal_3:1-5 Paul appealed to the personal salvation experiences of the Galatians. He used his personal testimony as evidence of the truth of his gospel in Gal_1:10 to Gal_2:21, but here he uses their personal experiences. He does this with four or five rhetorical questions.
2. In Gal_3:6-18 Paul develops the Old Testament experience of Abraham as a paradigm for the experience of all humans in the area of salvation. He particularly focuses on Abraham receiving justification by grace through faith before and apart from the Mosaic Law. This chapter is the theological precursor to Romans 4!
C. Paul quotes the Old Testament seven times in Gal_3:6-18.
1. Gal_3:6 – Gen_15:6
2. Gal_3:8 – Gen_12:3
3. Gal_3:10 – Deu_27:26 (also possibly Deu_28:58)
4. Gal_3:11 – Hab_2:4
5. Gal_3:12 – Lev_18:5
6. Gal_3:13 – Deu_21:23
7. Gal_3:16 – Gen_13:15 (also possibly Gen_22:18)
The possible reasons for the extensive use of the OT were:
1. Paul wanted the Judaizers and Galatians to see that his gospel was based on the OT also.
2. The Judaizers used the OT in their argument, therefore, Paul did also
We must remember that Paul's presentation is being shaped by (1) current Jewish theology and (2) the emphases of the Judaizers. Paul's argument is ambiguous to us because we do not know the theology of the Judaizers and how (texts, illustrations, metaphors) they presented it. We are reading only half a conversation. It is obvious the people of the OT saw God's Law as a gift and a blessing, but Jewish legalism had distorted it!
D. Because of Paul's vehement attack on the misinterpretation and application of the Law by the Judaizers, he states the purpose of the Mosaic legislation (Gal_3:19-29). He accomplished this with two questions (Gal_3:19; Gal_3:21). It must be asserted that Paul was using the term "law" here in a very specific manner. Paul was refuting the theology of the false teachers (i.e., that the Law is a means of salvation, cf. Rom_4:14). One must balance this view of the Law with Jesus' use of the term in Mat_5:17-21. The Law is good—the Law is from God! The Law is eternal (cf. Rom_7:7; Rom_7:12-14). See hyperlink at Gal_3:19.
E. The Mosaic Law was personified in two senses (cf. Gal_3:23-25; Gal_4:1-2) which were known in the Greco-Roman world:
1. Gal_3:23, "we were locked up under the law" – the law as jailor
2. Gal_3:24, "the law has been our attendant" – the law as a child's custodian
a. Gal_4:2, "guardians" – a child's custodian from birth through 14 years of age
b. Gal_4:2, "trustee" – a young person's custodian from age 14 to 25 years of age
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. What does it mean "to receive the Spirit?"
2. Why did Paul use Abraham as the focus for his argument?
3. How does the term "curse" apply to us, to the Judaizers, and to all men?
4. Did Paul record an error in chronology in Gal_3:17? Why or why not?
5. Give the four aspects of why the Law is inferior to the promises listed in Gal_3:19.
6. List the two reasons for God's purpose for the Law in Gal_3:23-24.
7. Explain the implications of Gal_3:28 in the Church today.