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Fundamentals of Dispensational Truth.
(Second Series).
No.64. (22) GALATIANS.
Galatians 3: 13 - 20.
The curse of the law (3: 13).
pp. 13 - 16
With verse thirteen, we enter a new section of the epistle, as indicated by the structure;
a section denominated "Redemption", which together with its corresponding member,
3: 24 - 4: 7 contains the only occurrences in Galatians of the word exagorazo.
D | 3: 13-20. |
i | Exagorazo. Redeemed. Heirs.
j | Covenant prior to Law.
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D | 3: 24 - 4: 7. |
j | Schoolmaster prior to Christ.
i | Exagorazo. Redeemed. Adoption.
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it
is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3: 13).
It has been a matter of debate among commentators of all times, as to the parties
intended by the word "us". Some have maintained that since the Gentile and his
salvation is as much in view as that of the Jew, that the word "us" must comprehend them
both, and that the "law" in view is not to be limited to the law given at Mount Sinai, but
of that law which came into operation with Adam. The matter is of sufficient
importance to justify a careful study. And first, let us observe what "law" has been in
mind throughout the epistle so far. There are thirteen occurrences of nomos "law" in
Gal. 1:-3: 13. Of this number, nomos occurs with the article "the" in three places, the
remaining ten occurrences being anarthrous i.e. without an article.
Those which are anarthrous deal with "law" as opposed to "faith", without exactly
specifying the law of Moses. These references are Gal. 2: 16, 19, 21; 3: 2, 5, 10 (first
occurrence in the verse), 11. The remaining references which speak of "the law" are:
"Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of
the law to do them" (Gal. 3: 10).
"And the law is not of faith" (Gal. 3: 12).
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Gal. 3: 13).
It is clear that the "curse" is specifically related to "the book of the law", and if we
continue our collection of passages we shall find that this law is dated, being given
four hundred and thirty years after the promise made to Abraham (Gal. 3: 17) which
(1) makes it impossible for it to refer to Adam in Eden, (2) compels us to limit the