Galatians 3:13

Hath redeemed [ε ξ η γ ο ρ α σ ε ν]. P o. Better redeemed. Comp. Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5. In LXX once, Daniel 2:8. See on Colossians 4:5.

Us Referring specially to Jews.

Being made a curse [γ ε ν ο μ ε ν ο ς κ α τ α ρ α]. Better, having become. See on chapter Galatians 2:20.

It is written. From LXX of Deuteronomy 21:23, with the omission of uJpo qeou by God after cursed. Paul, as Lightfoot justly says, instinctively omits these words, since Christ was in no sense accursed by God in his crucifixion. The statement does not refer to Christ's enduring the curse in our stead, but solely to the attitude in which the law placed Christ by subjecting him to the death of a malefactor. The law satisfied its demand upon him, and thus thrust him out of the pale of the legal economy. We, by our fellowship with him, are likewise cast out, and therefore are no longer under curse.

Upon a tree [ε π ι ξ υ λ ο υ]. Originally wood, timber. In later Greek, a tree. In Class. used of a gallows (Aristoph. Frogs, 736). Often of the stocks (Aristoph. Clouds, 592; Lysistr. 680; Knights, 367). So Acts 16:24. Of the cross, Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39; 1 Peter 2:24. Ignatius (Smyrn. 1) says that Christ was nailed up for our sakes - of which fruit are we. That is, the cross is regarded as a tree, and Christians as its fruit. Comp. Trall. 2. See the interesting remarks of Lightfoot on the symbolism of the tree of life in Paradise (Apostolic Fathers, Part 2, Volume 2, page 291).