This week we continue our study in Galatians chapter 3: 10-14, titled 'Why the Law Cannot Save'.

Why the Law Cannot Save
(Gal. 3: 10-14)

I. It requires perfect obedience. (v.10)
A. Any violation of one Law, makes one guilty of violating the whole Law. [James 2: 10-11; Mk. 10: 17-23].

II. It lacks the element of faith. (v.11-12)
A. Justification requires faith not human works or effort. [Phil. 3: 4-6]

III. It omits God’s redemption. (v. 13-14)
A. Those that trust in Law keeping reject God’s redemption in Jesus Christ.

B. Christ redeems through the atonement on the cross.

b. Jesus purchasing the believer. (1 Cor. 6: 20; Rev. 5: 9; Gal. 3: 13, 4:5; Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet. 1: 18-19)

1. Our Redemption Summarized:

c. Jesus turning away God’s wrath.
1. Propitiation

Point to Ponder:
A. Belief or trust in God is the requirement for salvation. Mere assent to the truth claims about God or the gospel will not save anyone.
a. Faith or believing involves 3 facets:
1. Content (notitia)- knowledge or data concerning the Gospel truth of Christ.
2. Belief (assensus)- A mental assent to the truth claims of the Gospel of Christ.
3. Trust (fiducia)- An exercise of personal trust in the truth claims of the Gospel of Christ, which results in justification and a transformation of one’s life.


John MacArthur, Galatians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 77-78.

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J. Julius Scott Jr., Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995), 277.

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Thomas R. Schreiner, Galatians, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 210.

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Charles Spurgeon, Galatians, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013), Ga 3:12.

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Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press, 1999), 333.

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John Murray, Redemption: Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids: Eedrmans Publishing, 1955), 63.

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J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1995), 135-36.

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