Galatians 3:10-11
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The chilling part of this verse isn't just being cursed, but that the law requires perfect and continuous obedience. The wording "continueth not in all things" means a single slip-up, or failing to do absolutely everything written, places you under its condemnation, a standard no one can actually meet. This isn't a suggestion for good behavior; it's an impossible legal demand that ensures failure.
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.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is arguing that Abraham's blessing, received by faith, is the true inheritance, not one based on obeying the Law. He's just shown that those who live by faith are Abraham's descendants, and now he's contrasting this with trying to earn righteousness through strict adherence to the Law, demonstrating that this path inevitably leads to condemnation.
Think about following a recipe perfectly. One wrong ingredient, one missed step, and the whole dish can be ruined. The Law of God works similarly.
Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26, which stands as a stark declaration of God's standard. The key phrases here are 'all things' and 'do them.' This isn't a suggestion or a guideline; it's a demand for flawless, complete obedience.
The Scope: 'All Things'
The Law wasn't intended to be cherry-picked. To be 'of the works of the law' means relying on obedience to every single commandment, ceremonial and moral, without exception. It demands perfection across the board.
The Action: 'Do Them'
It's not enough to merely know the Law; it must be actively performed. This requires not just outward compliance but inward disposition and unwavering continuation. As James says, 'whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point becomes guilty of all' (James 2:2).
This absolute standard is the very reason the Law becomes a source of condemnation for those who try to earn God's favor through it. It sets an impossible bar for human achievement.
Imagine stepping onto a scale, expecting to see a number that earns you a prize, only to find it's impossibly high. That's the situation for anyone trying to stand on their own obedience.
Paul’s argument is relentless: if you attempt to be right with God by obeying the Law, you are automatically 'under the curse.' This isn't just about future punishment; it describes a present condition.
Ask a follow-up
What is 'Under the Curse'?
Being 'under the curse' means being subject to the penalty that the Law itself pronounces on disobedience. It signifies alienation from God, the just consequences of breaking His holy commands, and exposure to His righteous judgment.
Why 'Works of the Law' Lead to a Curse
The Law reveals God's perfect will. Because no one can perfectly keep it ('continueth not in all things... to do them'), everyone who relies on their own obedience to the Law inevitably falls short. This failure places them under the Law's condemnation. It’s like trying to escape a fire by running into it – the very thing you hope will save you becomes the source of your destruction. Paul clarifies in Romans 8:3 that the Law, 'because it was weak through the flesh,' couldn't justify us, thus leading to this curse.
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.
dikaioō · Greek Verb
To be declared righteous or put into a right relationship with God. It is a forensic term signifying that God has legally acquitted the believer of guilt based on Christ's righteousness rather than their own works.
nomos · Greek Noun
A legal code or set of commandments, often referring to the Mosaic Law. In a theological context, it is the standard of God's holiness which exposes human sinfulness but cannot provide the power for salvation.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
A person who is right in the eyes of God. In a biblical context, righteousness is not merely moral behavior but a status of being in conformity with God's will and law, granted through faith.
pistis · Greek Noun
The response of trust, reliance, and commitment to God and His promises. In the New Testament, it is the instrument through which one receives the grace of salvation, distinct from reliance on human works.
This verse powerfully draws from the foundational moment when the Law was given and its consequences (both blessing and curse) were explicitly laid out for Israel. Paul reminds his readers, and us, that the Law itself pronounces a curse on anyone who fails to keep it perfectly, a standard no one can meet. This underscores why reliance on the Law for salvation is a losing game, leading only to condemnation.
~1440 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Mosaic Law to the Israelites, outlining commandments and a covenant with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
c. 1440-1400 BC
Joshua leads Israelites into Promised Land
After entering Canaan, the people are commanded to set up the Law and its curses and blessings on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Deuteronomy 27 Curses Pronounced
The curses from Deuteronomy 27:26 are powerfully proclaimed from Mount Ebal, emphasizing the dire consequences of failing to obey God's entire Law.
c. 750 BC
Habakkuk's Prophecy
The prophet Habakkuk quotes and reflects on the principle that the righteous will live by faith, contrasting it with reliance on works.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Sacrifice
Jesus lives a perfect life, fulfilling the Law's demands, and then dies as a sacrifice, bearing the curse for humanity's disobedience.
c. AD 50-55
Paul Writes Galatians
The Apostle Paul writes his letter to the Galatians, addressing the heresy that salvation requires adherence to the Law of Moses, emphasizing salvation by faith in Christ alone.
This is the direct Old Testament passage Paul is quoting. It clearly states the curse that falls on anyone who doesn't perfectly obey every command in the Law, highlighting the impossible standard it sets for those trying to earn their way to God.
James 2:10James echoes the same principle, stating that failing in just one point of God's law makes a person guilty of breaking the whole thing. This reinforces Paul's argument that relying on 'works of the law' is futile because no one can achieve perfect, consistent obedience.
Romans 8:3Paul here explains that the Law, weakened by our sinful flesh, couldn't justify us. This passage provides a deeper theological reason why attempts to be 'of the works of the law' lead to condemnation rather than righteousness, connecting to Galatians 3:10's theme of the Law's inability to save.
Habakkuk 2:4This verse, quoted later by Paul in Romans and alluded to here, contrasts the 'just' who 'live by faith' with those who rely on works. It sets up the fundamental difference between justification by faith and justification by law, showing the latter leads to a curse, while the former leads to life.
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 chilling part of this verse isn't just being cursed, but that the law requires perfect and continuous obedience. The wording "continueth not in all things" means a single slip-up, or failing to do absolutely everything written, places you under its condemnation, a standard no one can actually meet. This isn't a suggestion for good behavior; it's an impossible legal demand that ensures failure.
Paul is arguing that Abraham's blessing, received by faith, is the true inheritance, not one based on obeying the Law. He's just shown that those who live by faith are Abraham's descendants, and now he's contrasting this with trying to earn righteousness through strict adherence to the Law, demonstrating that this path inevitably leads to condemnation.
Paul is arguing that Abraham's blessing, received by faith, is the true inheritance, not one based on obeying the Law. He's just shown that those who live by faith are Abraham's descendants, and now he's contrasting this with trying to earn righteousness through strict adherence to the Law, demonstrating that this path inevitably leads to condemnation.
"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.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law,…" — The chilling part of this verse isn't just being cursed, but that the law requires perfect and continuous obedience. The wording "continueth not in all things" means a single slip-up, or failing to…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
