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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

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" (υφ' αμαρτιαν). The word for "curse" (καταρα) is an old one (κατα, down, αρα, imprecation), often in LXX, in N.T. only here and Galatians 3:13; James 3:10; 2 Peter 2:14. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, the close of the curses on Mt. Ebal. He makes a slight explanatory modification of the LXX changing λογοις to γεγραμμενοις εν τω βιβλιω. The idea is made clearer by the participle (γεγραμμενοις) and βιβλιω (book). The curse becomes effective only when the law is violated.Cursed

(επικαταρατος). Verbal adjective from επικαταραομα, to imprecate curses, late word, common in LXX. In N.T. only here and verse Galatians 3:13, but in inscriptions also (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 96). The emphasis is on "continueth" (εμμενε) and "all" (πασιν).

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See also Galatians 3:10 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 10. _AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW_] All that seek salvation by the performance of the works of the law are under the curse, because it is impossible for them to come up to the spiritu...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW - As many as are seeking to be justified by yielding obedience to the Law - whether the moral law, or the ceremonial law. The proposition is general; and it...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    II. CONTRASTS BETWEEN LAW AND GRACE CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The gift of the Spirit not by the works of the law, but by hearing of faith. (Galatians 3:1)_ 2. Righteousness not bestowed by the law, but by fai...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GALATIANS 3:1 TO GALATIANS 5:12. DOCTRINAL SECTION. PAUL SETS THE CHOICE BEFORE THEM CHRIST OR THE LAW AND ARGUES FOR ITS URGENCY. Galatians 3:1. It was a strange folly which could lead them to forget...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE GIFT OF GRACE (Galatians 3:1-9)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    All who depend on the deeds which the law lays down are under a curse, for it stands written, "Cursed is everyone who does not consistently obey and perform all the things written in the book of the l...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    UNDER. Greek. _hupo_. App-104. CURSE. Greek. _katara_. Elsewhere, Galatians 3:13.Hebrews 6:8; James 3:10; 2 Peter 2:14. C

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Curse of the Law. No deliverance except by Faith 10. The mention of the blessing which comes by faith suggests the terrible alternative the curse which the Law pronounces and from which it provid...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    10–14. _Works, regarded as a source of life, bring a curse, faith the blessing and the Spirit_ (Galatians 3:10) (It is only faith that brings the blessing) for as many as draw their religious life fro...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    10. So far is it from all nations sharing with Abraham in blessing by the deeds of the Law, that they themselves who are under the Law are under a curse. Thus to obtain the blessing through the Law is...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΌΣΟΣ (G3745) всякий, кто. Это слово обозначает всех, принадлежащих к одному классу, ΚΑΤΆΡΑ (G2671) проклятие (DPL, 199-200). Это проклятие, которое ждет нарушителей завета Моисея (NIDNTT, 1:416; TDNT...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 2061 THE SPIRITUALITY AND SANCTIONS OF THE LAW Galatians 3:10. _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 al...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THE WORKS OF THE LAW— _They of faith,_ Galatians 3:9 and they _of the works of the law,_ are spoken of as two sorts of persons; the one the genuine posterity of Abraham, by faith, and thereby heirs of...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Justification by faith proved by the inability of the Law to Justify. Galatians 3:10-12 TEXT 3:10-12 (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is ev...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    _ VERSE 10. FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE._ VERSE 10. For it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the la...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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. Confirm...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    3 Paul now appeals to the experience of the Galatians themselves. Before the Judaisers came they received the Spirit of God, and suffered for the evangel, and did mighty works quite apart from the law...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    3:10 written, (f-19) See Deuteronomy 27:26 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    Why men cannot be saved by legal works of merit; they must be perfect and complete, or they never can be: cp. Deuteronomy 27:26; Romans 2:13; Romans 3:20; Rom

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    JUSTIFICATION IS BY FAITH, NOT WORKS 1-14. The Apostle upbraids the Galatians with their speedy change from faith to legal observances, reminding them of the fact that their reception of the Spirit h...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE GALATIANS _HELEN POCOCK_ CHAPTER 3 LIVE BY GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT, NOT BY YOUR OWN EFFORTS V1 You Galatians are foolish. You behave as if someone has used magic powers to lead...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    In this verse, Paul was referring to the false teachers. The *Jewish laws are not bad. God gave his laws to the *Jewish people for a purpose. The laws teach God’s holy standards to people. They show p...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    In this and the following verses the action of the Law is contrasted with that of faith, and the necessity of faith and the system of things to which faith belongs brought out into strong relief. The...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (6-14) These prolific results are due to faith, and not to the Law; just as it was faith which won for Abraham that imputed righteousness. Faith was the cause, blessing the consequence, which extends...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 12 ABRAHAM'S BLESSING AND THE LAW'S CURSE. Galatians 3:6 FAITH then, we have learnt, not works of law, was the condition on which the Galatians received the Spirit of Christ. By this gate th...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The Apostle here proceeds to deal with the rival claim to a special blessing on the score of obedience to Law. Jews maintained that their knowledge of the Law entitled them to the blessings attached t...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    BY FAITH MEN BECOME SONS OF ABRAHAM AND INHERIT HIS BLESSING, WHEREAS THOSE WHO CLAIM IT ON THE SCORE OF OBEDIENCE TO LAW ARE SUBJECT TO THE CURSE OF A BROKEN LAW; FROM WHICH CHRIST REDEEMED US, GENTI...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    RIGHTEOUSNESS BASED ON FAITH Galatians 3:1 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 c...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Here begins the second division of the epistle, in which Paul deals with the doctrine of liberty. He begins with the exclamation, "O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you?" He then inquired, Did they...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: (11) 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...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Are under a curse....cursed is every man, &c. The sense of these is to be found Deuteronomy xxvii. 26. in the Septuagint. Some expound them thus: curses are pronounced against every one who keeps not...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) B...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Galatians 1:1-24. We saw the second of Corinthians characterized by the most rapid transitions of feeling, by a deep and fervent sense of God's consolations, by a revulsion so much the more powerful i...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    10._For as many as are of the works of the law_. The argument is drawn from the contradictory nature of the two schemes; for the same fountain does not yield both hot and cold. The law holds all livin...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    What a loss, dreadful and irreparable, to lose such a Christ, as we, under grace, have known Him; such a righteousness; such a love; the Son of God our portion, our life; the Son of God devoted for us...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FOR AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW,.... The apostle does not say, "as many as were of the law", to whom it belonged, who were born and brought up in it, and to whom it was given, the Jews; for...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 10...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _As many as are of the works of the law_ Of the number of those who seek justification thereby; _are under_ Or liable to; _the curse: for it is written_, (Deuteronomy 27:26,) _Cursed is every one that...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW; are seeking justification by it. UNDER THE CURSE; because they have not perfectly obeyed the law....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Paul's opponents are subject to the curse of the broken Law:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    FAITH IS THE ONE PRINCIPLE OF BLESSING (vs.1-9) "0 foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?" (v.1). Little wonder, as Paul considers the principles and tremendous issues involved, that he speaks out...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    Deuteronomy 27:26 Continuing in the law includes teaching them to others AND doing them yourself....

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    6-14 The apostle proves the doctrine he had blamed the Galatians for rejecting; namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. This he does from the example of Abraham, whose fa...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    The argument is this: Those that are under a curse cannot be under the blessing of justification: but those that are under the law are under the curse. This he proves out of the law, DEUTERONOMY 27:26...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    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. [Deuteronomy...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book VI For says He: "Cursed be he that does not continue in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them."[155]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Galatians 3:10 For G1063 as G3745 are G1526 (G5748) of G1537 works G2041 law G3551 are G1526 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE LAW CAN ONLY CONDEMN US BUT WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED FROM THE LAW (GALATIANS 3:10). Paul then points out the folly of trying to become acceptable to God by our own works....

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things that are written in the book of the Law, to do them”.' Now, he...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Galatians 3:10-12. Negative proof of Galatians 3:9, by showing the impossibility of justification by law, because we cannot keep the law, and the violation of the law subjects us to its curse (comp. R...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Paul, writing, to those changeable Galatians, who had so soon deserted the faith, says to them in this chapter Galatians 3:1. _O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Galatians 3:1. _O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you,_ Paul writes as if they had come under some kind of witchcraft, and been deluded by it. This seemed to astonish the apostle, so he cries o...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Galatians 3:1. _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? This only would I lea...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    3:1. _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?_ These Galatians thought that...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Gift of Spirit by faith apart from law-works. Man under law-works is under the law curse. Christ bears the law curse that we might have the faith blessing. The true intent of the law. CHARA...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Galatians 3:1. _Oh foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you:_ εβασκανε, who hath fascinated, beguiled, or seduced you by subtlety and cunning, and sought by ingenious malice to draw you from the trut...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    ON OBEYING THE LAW. "If you depend on the rites of The Law to save you, you are putting yourself under a curse! For The Law brings God's curse on all who do not keep it perfectly! And, if you break on...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse._ THE CURSE AND ITS REMOVAL I. The curse of the law is of universal application. All are born under the law, and are bound to observe i...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GALATIANS—NOTE ON GALATIANS 3:10 Those WHO RELY ON WORKS OF THE LAW are under a CURSE. They are “cursed” (“condemned”) because they break the law ...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GALATIANS—NOTE ON GALATIANS 3:1 Direct Appeals to the Galatians. Paul gives several reasons why the Galatians should resist false teachers. ⇐

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 3 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER S. Paul proceeds to prove by five reasons that we are justified not by the law, or the works of the law, but by Christ. I. The first proof is drawn (ver. 2) from e...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse._ He inquired in verse 5 whether righteousness comes from the law or from faith. He replied, "From faith," and then proved his answer by t...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Galatians 3:10. AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE.—This the Scripture itself declares. It utters an anathema against all who fail to fulfil e...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GALATIANS 3:1 O FOOLISH GALATIANS (ὦ ἀνόητοι Γαλάται). In thus apostrophizing them, the apostle brands their present behaviour, not any lack of intelligence on their part in general...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Galatians chapter three. Background: Paul the apostle had been in the area of Galatia. Galatia was a general area like a county or a state. It was not a city. There...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Deuteronomy 11:26; Deuteronomy 27:26; Deuteronomy 29:20; Ezekiel 18:4;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Under the curse (uJpo kataran). Better, under curse. There is no article. The phrase is general = accursed. Comp. uJf' aJmartian under sin, Romans 3:9. The specific character of the curse is not state...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE CROSS AND ITS OBJECTIVES Galatians 3:10; Galatians 4:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The Cross must ever stand forth in the limelight of Bible and spiritual study. Apart from Christ's Calvary work we have...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    They only receive it. For as many as are of the works of the law — As God deals with on that footing, only on the terms the law proposes, are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one who...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Here is. third argument produced in this chapter, to prove that we are justified by faith, and not by works; because they who seek to be justified by the works of the law, are under the curse: and if...

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Old Testament