Galatians 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourced"O foolish Galatians," Paul asks whether they received the Spirit "by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith," and points to Abraham, who "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness," so that "they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." The law brings a curse on all who fail to keep it, but "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us," and the promise made to Abraham and "to thy seed, which is Christ" cannot be set aside by the law that came 430 years later. The law "was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ," and now "ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," all "one in Christ Jesus," and "heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:1Galatians 3:2Galatians 3:6Galatians 3:7Galatians 3:10Galatians 3:13Galatians 3:16Galatians 3:17Galatians 3:24Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:29
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul, writing to the "foolish Galatians"; Abraham and his seed, which Paul says "is Christ." Galatians 3:1Galatians 3:6Galatians 3:16Galatians overview
Where
Paul writes to "the churches of Galatia," in the Roman province of Galatia in central Asia Minor. The letter does not say where he wrote it. Galatians overview
When
Paul notes the law came "four hundred and thirty years after" the promise to Abraham. Traditionally about AD 48-57. Some date it about AD 48-49, before the Jerusalem council of Acts 15; others about AD 53-57, during Paul's third journey. Galatians 3:17Galatians overview
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended "if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Chapter 4 carries on the picture of heirs: "the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant." Galatians 2:21Galatians 3:29Galatians 4:1
Key verses
- Verse 6
"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." This quotes Genesis 15:6. Galatians 3:6Genesis 15:6
- Verse 13
"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." Deuteronomy 21:23 says, "he that is hanged is accursed of God." Galatians 3:13Deuteronomy 21:23
- Verse 28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." The next verse explains in what way: "if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:29
Takeaway
Like Abraham, you are counted righteous by believing God; in Christ every believer is a child of God and an heir of the promise. Galatians 3:6Galatians 3:26Galatians 3:29
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-31.
Spirit by faith, not law
1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Abraham believed God
6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10For 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. 11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13Christ 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: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
The promise came before the law
15Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Children of God by faith
23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.