Information Related to "The 'Curse of the Law'"
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Galatians 3:10-13 is one of the most frequently misused passages in the Bible. In both writing and preaching, scholars and pastors alike turn to this passage to support a badly misguided assumption that Paul viewed God's law as a curse. But how could he view it as a curse since he stated in Romans 7:12 that God's law was holy?
Paul indeed speaks of "the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13), meaning a curse decreed by the law. But he does not refer to the law itself as a curse.
What Paul actually says is this: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us-for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'" (verse 13, NRSV).
A few verses earlier he writes: "For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law'" (verse 10, NRSV).
First, notice that the curse applies to "everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law"! No curse is pronounced on those who obey "all the things" the law requires.
Of course, only Jesus Christ has ever obeyed everything in the law, without transgressing any of it. All the rest of us have sinned.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
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