Galatians 3:10
What does Galatians 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:10 means
Paul warns that those who put themselves under the law as the path to righteousness are actually under a curse. The law demands that a person continue in everything written in it. Missing even one point brings condemnation. This shows the impossibility of gaining acceptance with God by law-keeping. The law is good, but it was never designed to justify sinners; it exposes failure. Relying on the law puts a person on a treadmill they cannot complete. Instead of blessing, it brings the curse due to disobedience, because no one fulfills it perfectly. This sets the stage for the need of redemption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For all who are of the works of the law are under a curse: because it is said in the Writings, A curse is on everyone who does not keep on doing all the things which are ordered in the book of the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for as many as are of works of law are under a curse, for it hath been written, `Cursed <FI>is<Fi> every one who is not remaining in all things that have been written in the Book of the Law--to do them,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For 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;
Context
After establishing the blessing of faith from Abraham (verses 6–9), Paul now contrasts it with the curse tied to reliance on the law (verse 10). Verses 11–12 will underline that Scripture itself shows justification is by faith, not law, and that the law operates on a principle of doing rather than trusting. This diagnosis prepares for the good news in verses 13–14: Christ has redeemed us from the law’s curse, so that Abraham’s blessing and the promised Spirit come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus through faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 11:26
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse:
- Isaiah 43:28
Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel a reviling.
- Galatians 2:16
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
- Romans 4:15
for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression.
- Deuteronomy 27:26
Cursed be he that confirmeth not the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Jeremiah 11:3
and say thou unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,
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