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Consequently, those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham who had faith.
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For all who depend on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not persevere in doing all the things written in the book of the law.”
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And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, for “the one who is righteous by faith will live.”
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But the law does not depend on faith; rather, “the one who does these things will live by them.”
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Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,”
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that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
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class="inline-h3">The Law Did Not Nullify the Promise. Brothers, in human terms I say that no one can annul or amend even a human will once ratified.
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Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, “And to descendants,” as referring to many, but as referring to one, “And to your descendant,” who is Christ.
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This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to cancel the promise.
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For if the inheritance comes from the law, it is no longer from a promise; but God bestowed it on Abraham through a promise.
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Why, then, the law? It was added for transgressions, until the descendant came to whom the promise had been made; it was promulgated by angels at the hand of a mediator.
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Is the law then opposed to the promises [of God]? Of course not! For if a law had been given that could bring life, then righteousness would in reality come from the law.
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But scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. class="inline-h3">What Faith Has Brought Us.
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Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed.
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Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
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But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian.
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For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus.
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For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
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There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.
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class="chapter">Chapter 4
class="inline-h3">God’s Free Children in Christ. I mean that as long as the heir is not of age, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything,
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but he is under the supervision of guardians and administrators until the date set by his father.
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In the same way we also, when we were not of age, were enslaved to the elemental powers of the world.
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But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
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As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”