The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible is considered a conservative, literal translation of the Bible, as we know is also attributed to the New King James Version (NKJV), our official source of scriptural reference.
The organization that is responsible for the ESV has a website, and they provide for us a commentary on the Book of Galatians, Chapter 3. Even though the translation seems to work really hard at NOT manipulating translation to modern-day views, like, say, the New International Version (NIV), their commentary on this particular book DOES nevertheless insert a modern-day explanation of the meaning of this chapter.
Galatians is one of the clearest presentations of the gospel in all of the Bible. God justifies sinners, irrespective of just how sinful they are, if they will simply trust Christ. No self-generated contribution is necessary. This is the glory of God’s grace.
As I cannot take credit for the phrase, I will say that the following is an adaptation to make the phrase more accurate.
Galatians is but one of many presentations of the gospel in the Bible (2Pe 3:16).*** God justifies REPENTANT sinners, irrespective of just how sinful they HAVE BEEN, if they will simply trust AND OBEY (JOH 14:15; 15:10) Christ. No self-generated contribution is necessary AS GOD WORKS IN US TO WILL AND TO DO FOR GOD’S GOOD PLEASURE (PHP 2:13). This is the glory of God’s grace.
***Gospel mentioned in all NT books except 6, (Tit, Jam, 3 Johns, and Jud).
Let’s look into some of Galatians 3 and see what it says…
Gal 3:10 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."
NOTE: the words “circumcision”, “uncircumcision”, “circumcised”, and “uncircumcised” are used in combination 16 different times in the Book of Galatians (NKJV).
Gal 3:11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
Gal 3:12 Yet the law is not of faith, but "THE MAN WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."
Why can’t we be justified by the law?
Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"),
Gal 3:14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
You and I, we are keepers of the law, and we know we must keep the law, realizing certain laws have been taken away in the flesh, especially as relates to animal sacrifice and being identified in Abraham by circumcision. The Jews keep all the laws we keep and then some, but, again, it is made clear that we cannot be justified by the law as referenced in Romans.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
Self-justified, not justified by the grace of God because they reject the grace of God in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isa 64:6) practicing it on our own. And there is a great danger to us if we use the law to compare ourselves to ourselves.
When we compare, the only righteous comparison is that we are condemned under the law.
In Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus states clearly that the law is not done away and must be kept, but he does not reveal the law as providing for us justification in God’s sight.
The more you study your Bible and ask God for guidance, the more you realize that it is believing God, having faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, not the law that justifies you. Since the coming of Christ, to believe is to believe Christ’s words of righteousness, to believe He died to redeem us from the penalty of the law, and to believe we are given the Holy Spirit to live God’s righteousness; obey Christ’s commands.
Why is this Spirit of God imperative for us to possess?
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
We, brethren, are justified only by believing the promises of God in Christ! So, let us believe Him and be justified by faith. Obedience is key, but not as a badge of justification, so we help nobody by comparing ourselves amongst ourselves. Let us yield to that Spirit’s guidance, that Spirit so mercifully given to us as a down payment on salvation, as the only key we have or need to achieve godliness.
