Galatians 3:10 – “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul makes a bold and serious statement: anyone who tries to be right with God by following the law is actually under a curse. This is the opposite of what many people think. Most would assume that following religious rules would bring them closer to God, but Paul says that relying on the law actually puts a person in danger.

Why? Because the law demands perfection. If someone wants to be justified (declared righteous) by keeping the law, they must obey all of it—without failing even once. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, which says that anyone who does not perfectly follow everything in the law is cursed. Since no one can keep the law perfectly, everyone who tries to rely on it ends up guilty.

Paul’s point is clear: If you try to earn God’s favor by following rules, you will fail, because the law is impossible to keep perfectly. The result is not blessing, but a curse. This is why salvation must come by faith, not by the law.

Historical Context

Many of the Jewish believers in Paul’s time still believed that obedience to the law of Moses was the key to being right with God. Even though Jesus had come to fulfill the law, some Jewish Christians were still teaching that Gentile believers needed to follow Jewish customs—such as circumcision and dietary laws—to be fully accepted by God.

The Galatian believers had been influenced by these false teachers. They were being told that faith in Jesus was not enough, and that they also needed to follow the Jewish law. Paul writes this verse to correct their thinking. He wants them to see that trying to live by the law is not a path to salvation—it is a path to judgment, because the law requires absolute obedience.

Paul also knew that the Jews had never been able to keep the law perfectly. In fact, Israel’s history was filled with failure. Time and time again, they had broken God’s commandments and suffered the consequences. This is why the law could never save anyone—it only exposed their sin.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches a crucial spiritual truth: no one can be saved by keeping the law. The law was never meant to bring salvation—it was meant to show people their need for a Savior.

1. The law demands perfection. God’s standard is not “try your best” or “do more good than bad.” His standard is absolute obedience. Since no one can meet that standard, everyone who relies on the law is condemned.

2. The law brings a curse, not a blessing. Many people assume that being religious will earn them God’s favor, but Paul says the opposite. Trying to be justified by the law only leads to judgment.

3. Faith is the only way to escape the curse. Paul is preparing to show that Jesus took this curse upon Himself, so that believers could be free from the burden of the law.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s writing in this verse is sharp and direct. He doesn’t soften his words or try to make people feel comfortable. Instead, he states the harsh reality: trusting in the law brings a curse.

The phrase “rely on the works of the law” is important. Paul is not talking about people who simply respect God’s commands—he is talking about those who believe that keeping the law is what makes them right with God.

The word “curse” is also powerful. Paul could have said that failing to keep the law brings “problems” or “difficulties,” but instead he uses the strongest possible language. A curse means divine judgment—it is the opposite of blessing.

By quoting Deuteronomy 27:26, Paul is backing up his argument with Scripture. He is not making up a new idea; he is showing that this truth was always part of God’s Word.

Biblical Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 27:26 – “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” (The law itself says that failure to keep it brings a curse.)
• James 2:10 – “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (The law is an all-or-nothing system.)
• Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (The law shows us our sin, but it cannot save us.)
• Galatians 3:13 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” (Jesus took the curse upon Himself so we could be free.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today still fall into the trap of thinking they can earn God’s approval through good works. They believe that being a good person, following religious rules, or attending church will make them right with God. Paul’s words are a warning—relying on our own efforts leads to failure, not salvation.

This verse also reminds us that the law is not the solution to our sin problem—Jesus is. The law can show us what is wrong, but it cannot fix us. Only faith in Jesus can remove our guilt and make us right with God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first, this verse might not seem to show God’s love—it speaks of a curse, judgment, and failure. But in reality, it points to God’s deep love for humanity.

God is loving because He does not hide the truth from us. He makes it clear that we cannot save ourselves by trying to be good. If He had not warned us, we might spend our lives chasing something that could never bring salvation.

God’s love is also seen in the fact that He provided a way out of this curse. He didn’t leave us trapped under the law’s judgment. Instead, He sent Jesus to take the curse for us, making salvation a free gift through faith.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse sets up the need for Jesus. If relying on the law puts people under a curse, then they need a way to be rescued. Paul explains in Galatians 3:13 that Jesus took that curse upon Himself when He died on the cross.

• Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Jesus kept the law perfectly, so that He could take our place.)
• Romans 8:3-4 – “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.” (Jesus accomplished what the law could not—He made us righteous.)
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (Jesus took our punishment so we could receive His righteousness.)

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think so many people still try to earn God’s approval through good works?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that religious rules can bring salvation?
3. What does it mean to be “under a curse” according to this verse?
4. How can understanding this verse help you appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice more?
5. What are some ways you can remind yourself to trust in faith, not in religious effort?