The Meaning of Galatians 3:10 Explained

Galatians 3:10

KJV: For 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.

YLT: for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, 'Cursed is every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law -- to do them,'

Darby: For as many as are on the principle of works of law are under curse. For it is written, Cursed is every one who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them;

ASV: For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  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. 

What does Galatians 3:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Living under the Mosaic Law did not bring blessing but a curse. The reason is that to obtain God"s blessing under the Law a person had to keep it perfectly, and no one could. Even one failure brought God"s curse. Paul cited Deuteronomy 27:26 that was a passage the legalists would have respected highly because it is in a highly legal section of a highly legal book. He did so to support his argument. The Law is similar to a chain; one must forge every single link securely or it will not support the person who clings to it for salvation (cf. Galatians 5:3; James 2:10).
Paul was not changing the original intention of the passage he quoted (i.e, Deuteronomy 27:26). The whole Law taught that people cannot earn God"s blessing. The blessing that people experience because they do God"s will is not something they earn. God grants it freely in grace. What people earn and deserve is cursing and judgment from God since they cannot obey the Law perfectly ( Romans 6:23).

Context Summary

Galatians 3:1-10 - Righteousness Based On Faith
The strong tendency of the Galatian Christians to depend upon ceremonies or upon legal obedience, in addition to their faith in Christ, elicits in this chapter a magnificent demonstration of the simplicity and sufficiency of faith alone.
Faith had underlain the commencement of their Christian life, Galatians 3:1-5. They had found peace with God through faith. Through faith they had received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As they had begun, so let them finish!
Faith had been the means, too, of Abraham's acceptance with God, Galatians 3:6-10. From the first the gospel of faith had been proclaimed to him by the divine Spirit. Long before he had become a Jew by the initial rite of Judaism, he had been a humble believer in God's promise, on the basis of which he was reckoned righteous. Simple faith was the only condition that he had fulfilled, and the promise that all flesh should be blessed through him had been given when he was still a believing Gentile. Surely what had sufficed for the father of the faithful was good enough for his children! Let each reader see to it that he does not merely believe about Christ, but believes in Him, so as to be no longer under the curse, but within the blessing. [source]

Chapter Summary: Galatians 3

1  He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law
6  Those who believe are justified,
9  and blessed with Abraham
10  And this he shows by many reasons
15  The purpose of the Law
26  You are sons of God

Greek Commentary for Galatians 3:10

Under a curse [υπο καταραν]
Picture of the curse hanging over them like a Damocles‘ blade. Cf. Romans 3:9 “under sin” The word for “curse” The curse becomes effective only when the law is violated. [source]
Cursed [επικαταρατος]
Verbal adjective from επικαταραομαι — epikataraomai to imprecate curses, late word, common in lxx. In N.T. only here and Galatians 3:13, but in inscriptions also (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 96). The emphasis is on “continueth” (εμμενει — emmenei) and “all” (πασιν — pāsin). [source]
Under the curse [ὑπὸ κατάραν]
Better, under curse. There is no article. The phrase is general = accursed. Comp. ὑφ ' ἁμαρτίαν undersin, Romans 3:9. The specific character of the curse is not stated. It is not merely the wrath of God as it issues in final destruction (Meyer); but it represents a condition of alienation from God, caused by violation of his law, with all the penalty which accrues from it, either in this life or the next. [source]
Cursed [ἐπικατάρατος]
Only here and Galatians 3:13. oClass. In lxx, see Genesis 3:14, Genesis 3:17; Deuteronomy 27:16-20; Isaiah 65:20; Wisd. 3:12; 14:8, etc. [source]
Continueth - in [ἐμμένει]
The expression is figurative, the book of the law being conceived as a prescribed district or domain, in which one remains or out of which he goes. Comp. continue in the faith, Acts 14:22; in the covenant, Hebrews 13:9; in the things which thou hast learned, 2 Timothy 3:14. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 3:10

John 1:17 For [ὅτι]
Because. Giving the ground of the statement that Christians received new and richer gifts of grace: the ground being that the law of Moses was a limited and narrow enactment, while Jesus Christ imparted the fullness of grace and truth which was in Him (John 1:14). Compare Romans 4:15; Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:10. [source]
2 Corinthians 3:7 Of death [του τανατου]
Subjective genitive, marked by death in its outcome (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:56; Galatians 3:10). The letter kills. [source]
Galatians 6:13 Keep the law [νόμον φυλάσσουσιν]
See on Galatians 5:3. They are in the same category with all who are circumcised, who do not and cannot fully observe the law. Comp. Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:3. Hence, if circumcision develops no justifying results, it is apparent that their insistence on circumcision proceeds not from moral, but from fleshly motives. [source]
Galatians 5:3 The whole law [ὅλον]
Comp. James 2:10. Submission to circumcision commits one to the whole law. It makes him a party to the covenant of the law, and the law requires of every one thus committed a perfect fulfillment, Galatians 3:10. [source]
Galatians 3:14 That we might receive, etc. []
The second ἵνα is parallel with the first. The deliverance from the curse results not only in extending to the Gentiles the blessing promised to Abraham, but in the impartation of the Spirit to both Jews and Gentiles through faith. The εὐλογία blessingis not God's gift of justification as the opposite of the curse; for in Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:11, justification is not represented as the opposite of the curse, but as that by which the curse is removed and the blessing realized. The content of the curse is death, Galatians 3:13. The opposite of the curse is life. The subject of the promise is the life which comes through the Spirit. See John 7:39; Acts 2:17, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:39; Acts 10:45, Acts 10:47; Acts 15:7, Acts 15:8; Romans 5:5; Romans 8:2, Romans 8:4, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:13. [source]
Galatians 3:11 By the law [ἐν νόμῳ]
Rather, in the sphere of the law; thus corresponding with continueth in, Galatians 3:10. [source]
Galatians 3:13 Redeemed us [ημας εχηγορασεν]
First aorist active of the compound verb εχαγοραζω — exagorazō (Polybius, Plutarch, Diodorus), to buy from, to buy back, to ransom. The simple verb αγοραζω — agorazō (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23) is used in an inscription for the purchase of slaves in a will (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 324). See also Galatians 4:5; Colossians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16. Christ purchased us from the curse of the law “Out from (εκ — ek repeated) under (υπο — hupo in Galatians 3:10) the curse of the law.” [source]
Galatians 3:22 Under sin [υπο αμαρτιαν]
See υπο καταραν — hupo kataran in Galatians 3:10. As if the lid closed in on us over a massive chest that we could not open or as prisoners in a dungeon. He uses τα παντα — ta panta (the all things), the totality of everything. See Romans 3:10-19; Romans 11:32. That (ινα — hina). God‘s purpose, personifying scripture again. Might be given First aorist passive subjunctive of διδωμι — didōmi with ινα — hina f0). [source]
Galatians 5:3 A debtor [οπειλετης]
Common word from οπειλω — opheilō to owe for one who has assumed an obligation. See note on Matthew 6:12. See note on Galatians 3:10. He takes the curse on himself. [source]
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done [οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων τῶν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ἃ ἐποιήσαμεν]
Lit. not by works, those namely in righteousness, which we did. The thought is entirely Pauline. Ἑξ ἔργων strictly, out of, in consequence of works. Εν δικαιοσύνῃ inthe sphere of righteousness; as legally righteous men. Comp. Ephesians 2:9. We did emphatic. Comp. Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:12; Galatians 5:3. [source]
Hebrews 6:8 Nigh unto cursing [κατάρας ἐγγύς]
See on Galatians 3:10. Enhancing the idea of rejected. It is exposed to the peril of abandonment to perpetual barrenness. [source]
Hebrews 6:8 If it beareth [εκπερουσα]
Present active participle of εκπερω — ekpherō conditional participle. For “thorns and thistles” see Matthew 7:16 for both words Roman soldiers scattered balls with sharp iron spikes, one of which was called tribulus, to hinder the enemy‘s cavalry. Rejected See 1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 1:28. For καταρας εγγυς — kataras eggus (nigh unto a curse) see Galatians 3:10. To be burned “For burning.” Common sight in clearing up ground. [source]
2 Peter 3:16 Speaking in them of these things [λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων]
Present active participle of λαλεω — laleō That is to say, Paul also wrote about the second coming of Christ, as is obviously true.Hard to be understood (δυσνοητα — dusnoēta). Late verbal from δυς — dus and νοεω — noeō (in Aristotle, Lucian, Diog. Laert.), here only in N.T. We know that the Thessalonians persisted in misrepresenting Paul on this very subject of the second coming as Hymenaeus and Philetus did about the resurrection (2 Timothy 2:17) and Spitta holds that Paul‘s teaching about grace was twisted to mean moral laxity like Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Romans 5:20 (with which cf. Romans 6:1 as a case in point), etc. Peter does not say that he himself did not understand Paul on the subject of faith and freedom.Unlearned Old word (alpha privative and μαντανω — manthanō to learn), ignorant, here only in N.T.Unsteadfast (αστηρικτοι — astēriktoi). See note on 2 Peter 2:14.Wrest Present active indicative of στρεβλοω — strebloō old verb (from στρεβλος — streblos twisted, στρεπω — strephō to turn), here only in N.T.The other scriptures (τας λοιπας γραπας — tas loipas graphas). There is no doubt that the apostles claimed to speak by the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:27; Colossians 4:16) just as the prophets of old did (2 Peter 1:20.). Note λοιπας — loipas (rest) here rather than αλλας — allas (other). Peter thus puts Paul‘s Epistles on the same plane with the O.T., which was also misused (Matt 5:21-44; Matthew 15:3-6; Matthew 19:3-10). [source]
2 Peter 3:16 Hard to be understood [δυσνοητα]
Late verbal from δυς — dus and νοεω — noeō (in Aristotle, Lucian, Diog. Laert.), here only in N.T. We know that the Thessalonians persisted in misrepresenting Paul on this very subject of the second coming as Hymenaeus and Philetus did about the resurrection (2 Timothy 2:17) and Spitta holds that Paul‘s teaching about grace was twisted to mean moral laxity like Galatians 3:10; Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Romans 5:20 (with which cf. Romans 6:1 as a case in point), etc. Peter does not say that he himself did not understand Paul on the subject of faith and freedom. [source]

What do the individual words in Galatians 3:10 mean?

As many as for of works of [the] Law are under a curse are it has been written - Cursed [is] everyone who not does continue all things - having been written in the book of the Law - to do them
Ὅσοι γὰρ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου εἰσὶν ὑπὸ κατάραν εἰσίν γέγραπται ὅτι Ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὃς οὐκ ἐμμένει πᾶσιν τοῖς γεγραμμένοις ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τοῦ νόμου τοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτά

Ὅσοι  As  many  as 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅσος  
Sense: as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever.
ἔργων  works 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
νόμου  of  [the]  Law 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
ὑπὸ  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπό  
Sense: by, under.
κατάραν  a  curse 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: κατάρα  
Sense: an execration, imprecation, curse.
γέγραπται  it  has  been  written 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γράφω 
Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
ὅτι  - 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
Ἐπικατάρατος  Cursed  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπάρατος 
Sense: accursed, execrable, exposed to divine vengeance, lying under God’s curse.
πᾶς  everyone 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ἐμμένει  does  continue 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐμμένω  
Sense: to remain in, continue.
πᾶσιν  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
τοῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γεγραμμένοις  having  been  written 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: γράφω 
Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
βιβλίῳ  book 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: βιβλίον  
Sense: a small book, a scroll, a written document.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νόμου  Law 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ποιῆσαι  to  do 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.