Galatians 3:10
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just say you'll be cursed if you break the law, but if you don't continue in all things written in it. This means even one slip-up, or failing to do something perfectly all the time, incurs the curse, showing how impossible it is for anyone to earn God's favor by their own efforts.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from trying to perfectly obey the Law, because attempting to do so actually puts you under a curse. He proves this by quoting Deuteronomy, which states that anyone who doesn't perfectly keep everything written in the Law is cursed. This sets up the next point: since no one can perfectly keep the Law, everyone trying to earn their standing with God that way is under its condemnation.
Ever feel like you're failing to meet expectations, even your own? The Law of God sets a standard that’s even higher.
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 27:26 to highlight the absolute nature of the Law. Notice the phrases "in all things" and "continueth not." This isn't a suggestion; it's a demand for flawless, ongoing obedience.
The Impossibility of Perfection
No human has ever met this standard. As James 2:10 says, 'whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all of it.' This shows us the Law isn't designed to be a ladder for us to climb to God, but a mirror showing us our need for something more.
What happens when you can't meet an impossible standard? The Law itself tells us. It's not good news for those relying on their own performance.
The verse states plainly: 'For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse.' The curse isn't just a suggestion of God's displeasure; it's the inescapable penalty for failing to meet the Law's perfect requirements.
What Does 'Under the Curse' Mean?
Paul is making a stark point: attempting to earn God's favor by following the Law is a futile path that leads directly to condemnation. The Law, in its justice, pronounces a curse on every single person who fails to keep it perfectly.
Understand the original words
ergon nomou · Greek Noun phrase
The efforts or deeds performed by humans in an attempt to earn salvation or justify themselves before God through keeping the moral and ritual requirements of the Mosaic Law.
katara · Greek Noun
A state of divine judgment, condemnation, or separation from God; it is the consequence of failing to perfectly adhere to the requirements of God’s holy law.
nomos · Greek Noun
The comprehensive body of divine instructions and commandments given to Israel; it sets the standard of God's holiness and exposes the inability of humans to achieve righteousness on their own.
The verse directly quotes Deuteronomy 27:26, a curse pronounced from Mount Ebal. This historical context highlights that the Law itself contained provisions for its violation, making it clear that relying on perfect obedience to the Law, which no one could achieve, would inevitably lead to condemnation.
c. 1446 BC
The Law Given at Sinai
God delivers the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing a covenant with Israel that includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
Following Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, Joshua leads the conquest and subsequent division of the land among the tribes, a period where obedience to the Law was paramount.
c. 1400-1350 BC— this verse
The Curse Pronounced from Mount Ebal
As commanded by God, the Israelites pronounce curses from Mount Ebal against those who disobey specific commands in the Law, underscoring the dire consequences of violating God's Word.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and the Unified Kingdom
King David's reign represents a high point of Israel's kingdom, yet it also highlights the ongoing struggle with sin and the need for God's forgiveness, even for a king.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage Paul quotes, establishing the principle that failing to perfectly obey every command in the Law brings a curse.
James 2:10James echoes the same idea, showing that failing in even one point of the Law makes one guilty of breaking the entire Law, reinforcing why no one can stand justified by perfect obedience.
Romans 8:3Paul explains *why* the Law is unable to justify: it is weakened by our flesh, meaning our sinful nature prevents us from ever meeting its perfect demands, thus leaving us under its curse.
Galatians 3:13This passage immediately follows, showing how Christ's redemptive work is the only escape from the curse pronounced in Galatians 3:10, by becoming a curse for us.
jfbGalatians 3:10: "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."
- Confirmation of Ga 3:9. They who depend on the works of the law cannot share the blessing, for they are under the curse "written," De 27:26, Septuagint. Perfect obedience is required by the words, "in all things." Continual obedience by the word, "continueth." No man renders this obedie…
vincentGalatians 3:10: "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."
Under the curse (ὑπὸ κατάραν)Better, under curse. There is no article. The phrase is general equals accursed. Comp. ὑφ' ἁμαρτίαν under sin, Romans 3:9. The specific character of the curse is not stated. It is not merely the wrath of God as it issues in final destruction (Meyer); but…
The verse doesn't just say you'll be cursed if you break the law, but if you don't continue in all things written in it. This means even one slip-up, or failing to do something perfectly all the time, incurs the curse, showing how impossible it is for anyone to earn God's favor by their own efforts.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from trying to perfectly obey the Law, because attempting to do so actually puts you under a curse. He proves this by quoting Deuteronomy, which states that anyone who doesn't perfectly keep everything written in the Law is cursed. This sets up the next point: since no one can perfectly keep the Law, everyone trying to earn their standing with God that way is under its condemnation.
Paul is arguing that true righteousness doesn't come from trying to perfectly obey the Law, because attempting to do so actually puts you under a curse. He proves this by quoting Deuteronomy, which states that anyone who doesn't perfectly keep written in the Law is cursed. This sets up the next point: since no one can perfectly keep the Law, everyone trying to earn their standing with God that way is under its condemnation.
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722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling its people for their persistent disobedience and idolatry, a stark reminder of the curses of the Law being fulfilled.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the people of Judah for their continued rejection of God's Law, signifying a national curse.
"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”" — The verse doesn't just say you'll be cursed if you break the law, but if you don't continue in all things written in it. This means even one slip-up, or failing to do something perfectly all th…
