Matthew Henry Commentary Galatians 3:6-14

"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, [saying,] In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith; and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." — Galatians 3:6-14 (ASV)

The apostle proves the doctrine he had criticized the Galatians for rejecting: namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. He does this using the example of Abraham, whose faith held firmly to the word and promise of God, and because he believed, he was acknowledged and accepted by God as a righteous man. The Scripture is said to foresee because the Holy Spirit who inspired the Scripture foresaw.

Through faith in God's promise, he was blessed; and it is only in the same way that others obtain this privilege. Let us then study the object, nature, and effects of Abraham's faith, for who can in any other way escape the curse of the holy law? The curse is against all sinners, and therefore against all people, because all have sinned and have become guilty before God. And if, as transgressors of the law, we are under its curse, it is futile to look for justification by it.

Only those are just or righteous who are freed from death and wrath and restored to a state of life in God's favor; and it is only through faith that persons become righteous. Thus we see that justification by faith is not a new doctrine, but was taught in the church of God long before the times of the gospel. It is, in truth, the only way in which any sinners ever were, or can be, justified.

Though deliverance is not to be expected from the law, there is a way open to escape the curse and regain God's favor, namely, through faith in Christ. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law; being made sin, or a sin-offering, for us, he was made a curse for us; not separated from God, but placed for a time under divine punishment. The heavy sufferings of the Son of God more loudly warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come than all the curses of the law; for how can God spare anyone who remains under sin, seeing that he did not spare his own Son when our sins were charged upon him?

Yet at the same time, Christ, as from the cross, freely invites sinners to take refuge in him.