Keraia
Galatians 3

Galatians 3:1

Faith and Belief · Galatians 3:1–9
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Translations

Modern
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
Traditional
O 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?
Literal
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was previously written as having been crucified?
Latin
O insensati Galatæ, quis vos fascinavit non obedire veritati, ante quorum oculos Jesus Christus præscriptus est, in vobis crucifixus?

Original

Greek
English
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Notes

Galatians 3:1

  • O foolish Galatians! Their foolishness was both intellectual and spiritual (compare Luke 24:25; see 1 Samuel 25:1–38). They stopped trusting in Christ and trusted in the law (Galatians 1:6).

  • The Galatians were misled by the teachers’ persuasive arguments (compare Genesis 3:1–7). It was not actual witchcraft, but convincing words.

  • Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified: When Paul told people about Jesus, he clearly explained how Jesus died and why his death was so important for everyone (see Romans 10:14–17). Paul helped people understand what the death of Jesus means for them.

Galatians 3:1–5:12

Paul now defends the truth of his message that a right relationship with God comes by faith in Christ alone. He argues against the idea that non-Jewish people must follow the law to be accepted by God.

Galatians 3:1–9

Paul compares the Galatians' spiritual experience (see 3:1–5) with Abraham's (3:6–9). He shows that both were made right with God through faith, not by following the law (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Paul (Saul) Biblical Law

Parallels

James 2:14–26

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Places

Galatia: A region in Asia Minor, recipient of Paul's epistle

Glossary

Backsliding Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Crucifixion Faith Freedom, Liberty Gospel Letter to the Galatians Paul the Apostle Peter, Second Letter of

Topics

Backsliders: Galatians Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning Backsliding is Departing from the Simplicity of the Gospel Christian Minister: Judaizers Covenant: Abraham Faith in Christ Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Influence: Evil Judaism: Judaizers Were a Corrupt Form of Christianity Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Truth: should be Obeyed Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation