Galatians 3

1. 3:1-2 What are the answers to the questions Paul asks: “Who has bewitched you?” and “Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (NIV)
   Class Answers: 1) The Judaizers – the ones insisting that Gentile Christians should also obey the Old Law; Satan – through Jewish Christians. 2) They received the Spirit through faith.
2. 3:3-5 How were the Galatians trying to attain their goal?
   Class Answers: verse 3 – by human effort. From verse 2 – by works of the law.
3. 3:6 Why does Paul mention Abraham? Why was Abraham considered righteous?
   Class Answers: 1) Because he was their physical father. They were “sons of Abraham.” He lived before the law was enacted. 2) Because he believed God. Our works are proof of our faith as opposed to trying to prove our faith.
4. 3:7-9 Who are the true children of Abraham?
   Class Answers: Those who are his spiritual children, those who believe the promises of God. See verse 16: those who are of faith.
5. 3:10 What are the results of obeying the law? (CB Note: This question should have read: “What are the results of relying on obedience to the law?) What law is Paul talking about?
   Class Answers: 1) Being cursed, for no one can keep the law perfectly (Deuteronomy 27:26). The law can only condemn, it cannot save. 2) The Old Law – the “Book of the Law” – the Law of Moses.
6. 3:11-13 How did Christ become a curse for us?
   Class Answers: He hung on the cross – the sign of a man who has been condemned. See Leviticus 18:5; Habakkuk 2:4; Deuteronomy 21:23; Romans 8:3.
7. 3:14-18 To whom did God give these promises? What were the promises? (See Genesis 12:1-3)
   Class Answers: 1) To Abraham and his seed: Christ and all who are in Christ; 2) God will make him a great nation; He will make his name great; He will bless them that bless Abraham; all families of the earth will be blessed.
8. 3:19-20 What was the purpose of the law? How long would it last?
   Class Answers: From John Stott: “The function of the law was not to bestow salvation but to convince men of their need for it.” See Romans 7:7-10 – The purpose of the law was to define sin. 2) It would last until the Seed (Christ) came.
9. 3:21-23 Did the Old Law stand in the way of God’s promises? What was its limitation?
   Class Answers: 1) No. It reminded us of our sins, which only Christ could remove. 2) It held us prisoners to sin. It can not give life but is the antithesis of life. It couldn’t save, it revealed the sin that alienates God from man.
   Stott’s explanation of “But God is one”: In Christ, both Abraham and Moses come together, because God is one. To Abraham he gave a promise (Genesis 12:1,2), and to Moses he gave a law (Exodus 20). In Christ, both the promise and the law are fulfilled.
10. 3:24-25 What was the purpose of the Law?
    Class Answers: To act as a tutor (ASV), disciplinarian (NRSV), someone put in charge (NIV) to bring us to Christ. The Greek is paidagogus – a custodian, guide, guardian of boys, disciplinarian, like a strict governess. When a man is mature, he doesn’t go back to boarding school.
11. 3:26 How do we become “sons” of God?
    Class Answers: Through faith in Christ Jesus (not by physical birth). Ed Wharton: “full grown sons.” Stott: …who obey their father out of love, not coercion. By adoption, being made full heirs.
12. 3:27 How do we “clothe” ourselves in Christ? What does that mean?
    Class Answers: Through baptism, raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-4). It means we make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). We envelope ourselves in Christ so that we look like him.
13. 3:28-29 In what ways does belonging to Christ unify us?
    Class Answers: We are one body. Our backgrounds no longer matter; we are all children of God, spiritual brothers and sisters.

Choose a verse from Chapter 3 to memorize (or to post in a prominent place).
Class choices: Galatians 3:21, 3:28, 3:29.