“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.”
My Notes
What Does Galatians 3:10 Mean?
Paul declares that everyone who relies on works of the law is under a curse — because the law requires perfect obedience to every commandment, and no one achieves it. The curse falls on imperfection.
"Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" quotes Deuteronomy 27:26. The standard is total: all things. One failure makes you cursed. The law demands perfection and curses everything less.
This is Paul's argument for why the law cannot save: not because the law is bad, but because humans cannot keep it perfectly. The law is holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). The problem is that you are not.
The next verse (3:11) provides the alternative: the just shall live by faith. Since the law cursing route is a dead end for imperfect people, God provides another way — justification by faith, not by flawless law-keeping.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the law's requirement of perfection in 'all things' make performance-based salvation impossible?
- 2.Where are you still trying to earn standing with God through moral performance?
- 3.How does the curse of the law make the gift of justification by faith more precious?
- 4.What weight of religious performance do you need to put down today?
Devotional
As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. If you are building your standing with God on law-keeping — on moral performance, on religious obedience, on being good enough — Paul says you are under a curse. Not a blessing. A curse.
Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things. All. Not most. Not the important ones. All things written in the law. One miss. One failure. One slip. And the curse activates.
That should terrify anyone who thinks they can earn their way to God. The standard is not good enough. It is perfect. And perfect is what none of us are.
But that is exactly Paul's point. The law-keeping route is a dead end because humans cannot keep the law perfectly. God knew that. Which is why he provided another way: the just shall live by faith (v.11). Not by performance. By faith.
If you have been carrying the weight of religious performance — trying to be good enough, checking enough boxes, performing enough spiritual tasks — Paul says: put the weight down. The law cannot save you. But faith can. Because faith connects you to someone who already fulfilled the law perfectly.
You are not saved by your performance. You are saved by his.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture