Why does Paul call the Galatians "foolish" and say they were bewitched?

Paul is shocked that the Galatians, who once had Christ clearly set before them as crucified, are now turning back to a message of law-keeping to be right with God. By calling them “foolish” and asking who has “bewitched” them, he is saying they are acting as if they are under a spell, no longer thinking clearly about the simple truth of the gospel. They had heard about Christ’s cross, received the Spirit, and even suffered for the faith, yet were now drifting toward a different way of trying to be righteous.

What does Paul mean by receiving the Spirit by the hearing of faith, not works of the law?

Paul reminds the Galatians how they first experienced God’s Spirit. They did not receive the Spirit because they kept certain rules or ceremonies, but when they heard the message about Christ and believed it. “The hearing of faith” means listening to the gospel and trusting it. Their changed hearts and the gifts of the Spirit they saw were God’s proof that faith in Christ, not law-keeping, is the way he works in people. Paul uses their own experience to show that returning to the law makes no sense.

What is the curse of the law, and how did Christ redeem us from it?

The curse of the law is the condemnation that falls on anyone who does not continue in everything the law commands. Since no one keeps the law perfectly, all who rely on it stand under this curse. Paul explains that Christ redeemed us from this curse by being “made a curse for us” when he was hung on the cross. He took the punishment the law demanded, so that the blessing promised to Abraham and the gift of the Spirit could come to both Jews and Gentiles through faith in him.

How does Abraham’s faith show that people are justified by faith and not by the law?

Paul points to Abraham, who lived long before the law was given. Scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” That means God counted Abraham as righteous because he trusted God’s promise, not because he kept a set of laws. From this, Paul concludes that those who are “of faith” are the true children of Abraham. The promise that all nations would be blessed in Abraham is fulfilled in people of every background who believe in Christ, just as Abraham believed God.

What does it mean that the law was added because of transgressions and is a schoolmaster?

Paul says the law was added “because of transgressions” until Christ came. This means the law exposed sin clearly, showed people how far they fell short, and restrained wrongdoing. Later he calls the law a “schoolmaster” or guardian, a kind of strict guide that watches over a child. The law kept people in check and pointed them toward their need for a Savior. Once Christ, the promised “seed,” came and faith in him is revealed, believers are no longer under that guardian for justification but are made right with God by faith.

Is the law against God’s promises in this passage?

Paul asks this very question and answers strongly that the law is not against God’s promises. The problem is not the law itself but what it cannot do. If a law could give life and make people righteous, then righteousness would come by the law. But Scripture shows that all are under sin. So the law and the promise have different roles. The law reveals sin and shuts people up to their need, while the promise of life and righteousness comes through faith in Jesus to those who believe. They are not enemies, but the promise is greater.

What does it mean that there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female in Christ?

Paul is not saying that these differences stop existing in everyday life, but that they do not give anyone an advantage or disadvantage before God. In Christ, all who believe are baptized into him and have “put on” Christ like clothing. This means their first and deepest identity is being united to him. So ethnic background, social status, and gender do not decide who belongs or who is closer to God. All believers are one in Christ and, if they belong to him, they share equally in being Abraham’s seed and heirs of God’s promise.

How does this passage describe becoming a child of God and an heir of the promise?

Paul says, “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” It is faith in Christ, not birth, law, or effort, that brings a person into God’s family. Being baptized into Christ pictures being joined to him and “putting on” Christ, like putting on a new identity. If someone belongs to Christ, then they are counted as Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise God gave long ago. So becoming a child of God and an heir happens by trusting Christ, sharing in his righteousness and in the blessings promised to Abraham.

Gal.3.1

Galatians 3:1

KJV

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Faith and Belief

1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Christ Has Redeemed Us

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Purpose of the Law

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Sons through Faith in Christ

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.