1 O senseless Galatians, who bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was evidently set forth (see Rom. 15:4), as having been crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of law, or by the hearing of faith? (Cp. Rom. 10:16,17.)
3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now being perfected (see 2 Cor. 7:1) in the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? (see Rom. 13:4) if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit (see 2 Cor. 9:10), and works miracles among you, does He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
F K 3:6-9. The promise was to Abraham's faith.
L 3:10-12. The curse of the Law.
M 3:13,14. Redemption by Christ.
K 3:15-18. The promise was to Abraham's faith.
L 3:19-25. The use of the Law.
K 3:26-4:11. Sonship in Christ.
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (Quoted from Gen. 15:6,)
7 Know you therefore that they which are of faith, these are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifies the nations through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all nations be blessed." (See Gen. 12:3.)
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse (see Heb. 6:8. James 3:10. 2 Pet. 2:14): for it is written, "Cursed (see John 7:49) is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Quoted from Deut. 27:26.)
11 But that no one is justified by the law before God, it is evident: for, "The just shall live by faith." (Quoted from Hab. 2:4. Cp. Rom. 1:17. Heb. 10:38)
12 And the law is not of faith: but, "He that does them shall live in them." (Quoted from Lev. 18:5.)
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:" (Quoted from Deut. 21:23.)
14 In order that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise (see Luke 24:49) of the Spirit through the faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man dis-annuls, or adds thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises spoken (see Gen. 21:12). He says not, "And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to your seed," which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before by God in Christ, the law, which was (lit. came to be) four hundred and thirty years after (see Ezek. 12:40), does not dis-annul (Matt. 15:6. Mark 7:13), that it should make the promise of none effect. (See Luke 13:7.)
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no longer of promise: but God has granted it to Abraham by promise. (By the Holy Spirit.)
L N 19-. To reveal sin till the promised Seed should come.
O -19. A mediator manifests 2 parties. Shows the Law to be conditional.
O 20. No mediator; manifests 1 party. Shows the promise to be unconditional.
N 21-25. The Law given till Christ should come.
19 Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions (see Rom. 4:15), till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; (Lit. it has been promised)
and it was ordained by angels (cp. Deut. 33:2. Acts 7:53. Heb. 2:2.) in the hand of a mediator. (1 Tim. 2:5. Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24.)
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (Between Himself.)
N g 21-. The promise not affected by the Law.
h -21. The incapacity of the Law.
g 22. The promise the original intention.
h 23-25. The purpose of the Law.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid:
for if there had been a law given which could have given [eternal] life (see John 6:63), verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture has concluded (see Rom. 11:32) all under sin (cp. Rom. 3:10-18), that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Conditional. I doesn't say anything about you being perfect.)
23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, shut up to the faith which was about to be be revealed. (By the coming of the Savior.)
24 Wherefore the law has become our schoolmaster (this was a trustworthy slave who had the guardianship of the boys of the family. See 1 Cor. 4:15) to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (No other way.)
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (We are under the Holy Spirit, you know it intuitively.)
M P 3:26-29. Sons and heirs.
Q 4:1-6. Illustration.
P 4:7. Son and heir.
Q 4:8-11. Application.
26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ put on Christ.
28 There is neither of the tribe of Judah nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Conditional on your part. All can attain salvation. That's a guarantee that God made.)