Galatians Part 7: Paul defends the gospel (b)—2:15-6:16

IV. Paul defends the gospel—2:15-6:16 continued…

4. Curse of the Law is broken by Christ—3:10-14

3:10—For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM—Paul’s quote in this verse is from Dt 27:26. “[1] BRETHREN, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. [2] For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. [3] For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Rom 10:1-4) Israel attempted to be justified by the law—establishing their own righteousness—but in their attempt actually acquired the curse of the broken law. It is impossible for human beings to follow the law without breaking it at least once in a lifetime.

We are told that “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (Js 2:10 NIV) If we live to be 70 years old and break the law once a day—no matter how tiny the sin—we have broken the law 25,550 times in our lifetimes! Even if we only commit one sin a week, we would have broken the law 3,640 times in our lifetimes! Does it seem at all possible to be righteous by the standards of the law? One sin in a lifetime is enough to have broken the law! This means that God’s curse is on the person who has sinned once.
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