Galatians 3:10 kjv
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Galatians 3:10 nkjv
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them."
Galatians 3:10 niv
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
Galatians 3:10 esv
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."
Galatians 3:10 nlt
But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law."
Galatians 3 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:10 | Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law to do them. | Deut 27:26 (Fulfillment of the Law) |
| Rom 3:20 | For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. | Psa 143:2 (No one righteous by Law) |
| Rom 7:7 | ... I would not have known sin except through the law. | Rom 3:19 (Law proves sin) |
| Jas 2:10 | For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. | Lev 18:5 (Live by the Law) |
| Gal 3:12 | Moreover, the law is not of faith, but "the person who does them shall live by them." | Lev 18:5 (Life by Obedience) |
| Gal 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— | Deut 21:23 (Jesus became curse) |
| Rom 9:32 | Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, | Gal 5:4 (Separated from Christ) |
| Acts 15:10 | Now therefore, why do you put God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? | Ex 12:49 (Unity under Law) |
| John 1:17 | For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. | John 14:6 (Jesus is Truth) |
| Heb 7:19 | For the law made nothing perfect. But on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. | Heb 10:1 (Weakness of Law) |
| Luke 18:11 | Jesus stood and said to himself, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. | Rom 3:23 (All have sinned) |
| 1 Cor 15:56 | The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. | 1 John 3:8 (Devil's works destroyed) |
| Rom 2:14 | For when Gentiles who do not have the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves. | Rom 1:20 (God’s invisible attributes) |
| 2 Cor 3:6 | who made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. | 2 Cor 3:17 (Spirit makes free) |
| 1 John 5:3 | For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. | 1 John 5:4 (Victory over world) |
| Rom 10:4 | For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. | Gal 3:24 (Law as schoolmaster) |
| 1 Tim 1:9 | understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, | Prov 9:7 (Instruction of the righteous) |
| Gal 5:1-3 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. | Acts 15:24 (Circumcision controversy) |
Galatians 3 verses
Galatians 3 10 Meaning
All who rely on observing the Law are under a curse. The Apostle Paul is emphatic here: entanglement with the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation or righteousness leads to condemnation. This is not a statement against God's Law itself, but against attempts to earn salvation by meticulously keeping it, rather than receiving it through faith in Christ.
Galatians 3 10 Context
Chapter 3 of Galatians addresses a critical theological dispute within the early church. Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia, a region in Asia Minor, to confront those who were teaching that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul argues passionately that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works of the Law. This verse, "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse," directly follows his argument that God's promises are received by faith. He quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, emphasizing the absolute requirement to perfectly keep the entire Law. This is presented as a trap: no one can perfectly obey every jot and tittle of the Law, thus making everyone who relies on it cursed.
Galatians 3 10 Word Analysis
For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction indicating cause or explanation. It connects this verse as a reason for the previous statement.
All ( πάντες - pantēs): A pronoun signifying universality. It stresses that this principle applies without exception to anyone attempting to establish righteousness through the Law.
Who (οἱ - hoi): A relative pronoun referring back to "all."
Rely on (ἐκ - ek): A preposition that can mean "from," "out of," or "by." Here, it signifies the source or ground of their confidence. It's not just "doing works," but putting one's trust or dependence on them.
Works of the Law (ἔργων νόμου - ergōn nomou):
- Works (ἔργων - ergōn): Plural of ἔργον (ergon), meaning deeds, actions, or accomplishments. In this context, it refers to any outward or ritualistic observance of the Law of Moses.
- Law (νόμου - nomou): Genitive case of νόμος (nomos), referring to the Mosaic Law. The phrase emphasizes the practice and fulfillment of its commands.
Are under (εἰσιν ὑπὸ - eisin hypo):
- Are (εἰσιν - eisin): Third-person plural of the verb "to be."
- Under (ὑπὸ - hypo): A preposition indicating subjection, subordination, or being beneath something. In this case, it means being subject to the curse.
A curse (κατάραν - katarán): The accusative case of κατάρα (katara), meaning a curse, condemnation, or anathema. This refers to the penalty prescribed for disobedience to God's Law.
Group analysis (Phrase): "Rely on the works of the law": This isn't merely about performing religious acts. It signifies an inward disposition of self-reliance and an attempt to gain favor with God through personal merit and obedience to the Law's commands. It is a fundamental reliance on what one does, rather than what Christ has done. This stands in direct contrast to relying on faith in Christ's finished work on the cross.
Group analysis (Phrase): "Under a curse": This signifies being condemned and deserving of the divine punishment that the Law mandates for every infraction. It implies a state of guilt and separation from God because of imperfect obedience.
Galatians 3 10 Bonus Section
The curse of the Law highlights humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standard through self-effort. This was understood even within Jewish tradition, as seen in rabbinic discussions acknowledging human sinfulness. Paul uses this concept, grounded in the Old Testament itself, to prove that the Law, while holy and good, cannot justify sinners. Its purpose is to reveal sin and drive us to Christ. The intensity of "curse" underscores the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of God's solution in Christ. This is not about minor legalistic infractions, but the fundamental inability of the Law to save in the absence of faith in its perfect fulfillment by Christ.
Galatians 3 10 Commentary
This verse is a stark warning against legalism. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy to show that the Law itself declares a curse upon anyone who fails to keep its entirety. Since no human being, apart from Christ, can perfectly fulfill the Law, anyone attempting to gain righteousness by it is under divine condemnation. This condemnation is not arbitrary; it is the just penalty for disobedience. True freedom and righteousness are found not in trying to keep the Law ourselves, but in receiving God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who Himself bore the curse of the Law for us (Galatians 3:13).