Galatians 3:11-14 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that does them shall live in them. Christ had redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hanged on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
‘But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.’ This is the 2nd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Galatians (3:11; Hab. 2:4. See Rom. 1:17 and Heb. 10:38).
‘No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.’ Again, it is repeated that no man can be justified by the law in the sight of God. The just shall live by faith and the law is not of faith; but the man who keeps it shall be required to do and live in all things that are written in the law (3:10-12; Jas. 2:10).
‘Redeemed’ [Greek: exagorazo] to buy from; redeem (3:13; 4:5; Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). Christ has bought us back from the curse of the law (1Cor. 6:19-20; 1Pet. 1:18-23). We are no longer in bondage to it, sold as a slave to the law, and its death penalty. Christ has freed us from all these things, being made a curse for us. He was made an atonement for us. Whatever was offered as the atonement for sin was considered as bearing the punishment due to sin. If sin, sickness, pain, sufferings, death, and all the effects of sin were a part of the curse and the result of it, then they are all atoned for and removed from us in God’s plan.
‘Cursed is every one that hanged on a tree.’ This is the 3rd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Galatians (3:13; Deut. 21:23). The same day a criminal was executed he was buried (Deut. 21:22-23).
‘That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.’ Two things Christ died for here: That Abraham’s blessing of justification by faith might come to Gentiles (3:6-14; Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:1-25). That we might receive the promised Spirit through faith (Matt. 3:11; John 1:31-34; Acts 1:4-8; 2:33-39; 11:14-18; 15:7-13.) It is referred to as a promise (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 2:33-39; Gal. 3:14)
‘Through Jesus Christ … through faith.’ These two blessings come through Jesus Christ and through faith (Rom. 3:24-31; 5:1-11; Acts 13:38-39). Christ is the direct agent to baptize His followers in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:31-34; Acts 1:4-5; 2:33; 11:15-18). Compare two things in Colossians 2:14.
‘That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.’ All blessings, even the Spirit baptism, come through redemption and atonement (3:13-14). How could God give to fallen, rebellious men on any other basis? This confirms beyond doubt the fact of healing in the atonement as well as all the other phases of redemption from the fall. If all results of the curse are removed by the atonement, then this certainly includes healing of sickness, which is one of the major effects of the fall. In this connection, there are specific scriptures that state that by His stripes we were and are healed (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24). Thus, healing of the body is mentioned in particular as a blessing from the sufferings of Christ. Being wounded for our transgressions and striped for our healing are stated in the same verses (Isa. 53:5; 1Pet. 2:24).
Living the Word 