A Study of Galatians

Lesson #3 Law vs. Faith (Galatians 3:1-29)

As stated in the first lesson in this series, the Church of Galatia was trying to mix faith and the Law. Paul deals with this throughout much of the book. We will look at this subject by comparing the Law verses Faith as it seems Paul does in this chapter.

Foolish Galatians:

Paul starts off the chapter by referring to the Galatians as foolish. The reason for calling them foolish is because they started out by faith but are now trying to make themselves perfect by the Law. They start in the truth and then jump ship. This is clearly shown in verses 1-5.

What is the Problem with the Law?

 Pau addresses the problem with the law in verses 10-15. The problem with the law was that no one could live without breaking it. And if you broke the law, you were under a curse (Deuteronomy 27:26). This is why Jesus Christ came. He got on the cross and became a curse for us taking our place and making it possible for us to receive him by faith and be out from under the curse of the Law.

What was the purpose of the Law?

 If the Law was a curse to man then the question becomes what was it’s purpose? In verse 19-24 Paul said that the purpose of the Law was to bring people to Jesus Christ. If man could not live without breaking the law, then it shows us the need of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, never broke the law, and suffered the penalty of sin for us. The law show us our need as sinner and Jesus as the only one who could fill that need.

Why is Faith superior to the Law?

1)  We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith not the Law (Galatians 3:2,14)

2)  We are justified by faith (Galatians 3:11, 24)

3)  Faith makes us children of God not the Law (Galatians 3:26)

A Study of Galatians

Lesson #3 Law vs. Faith (Galatians 3:1-29): Handout

1)  Why did Paul call the Galatians foolish?

2) What is the Problem with the Law?

3)  What was the Purpose of the Law?

4)  Why is Faith better than the Law?