Christ Has Redeemed Us

Paul says that those who rest on works of the law fall under a curse because the law requires complete obedience. Scripture shows that life before God is by faith, not by the law's doing, so law and faith do not stand on the same footing.

A¹⁰ll who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” ¹¹Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” ¹²The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Christ, Paul says, has redeemed his people from the law's curse by becoming a curse for them. In that way Abraham's blessing reaches the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, and the promised Spirit is received through faith.

¹³Christ 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 tree.” ¹⁴He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.