Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” (NASB)
There is only one Greek word, “nomos” that translates “law.” It does not differentiate between Oral Torah and YHVH’s Written Torah. This leaves the discriminating reader at a distinct disadvantage. It means we must sort out the distinction between proper Torah Observance of YHVH’s Written Torah in contradiction to the legalistic perversion of Torah. Employing the proper Jewish foundation the translators and interpreters of our English translation could have make this difference understood. Unfortunately, HaSatan’s influence upon the minds and will of translators and interpreters has so influenced them that no distinction is made, and ergo many are led astray. Since this distinction is not made anti-Semitism is promoted by our texts and we are not “rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).”
With this distinction in mind, a careful reader understands that Sha’ul is arguing that both legalists and those that trust must agree that YHVH’s Torah requires obedience to all its commands. Sha’ul quotes here from Deuteronomy 27:26 which reads:
V 26. “’Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
Understood is that a person must bring a sacrifice. A prescribed sacrifice, preceded by repentance, such as David, who was a murderer and adulterer. We likewise must repent and present a sacrifice in Yahshua for atonement. This too is in agreement with G-d’s Torah.
Gal 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Sha’ul here is saying no one is justified by legalistic perversion of Torah. We must make the distinction by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. This is evident because in the preceding verse we are commanded to follow Torah by repentance and sacrifice in accordance with G-d’s Written Torah. Not only does G-d’s Torah expect disobedience from humanity, but makes provisions for forgiveness by sin offerings in twenty chapters of His Torah. Sha’ul is not making a Midrash that the Torah cannot be obeyed, but that legalists disobey at least one commandment and that is the commandment of trust in G-d that precedes obedience. Legalists who pervert Torah fail in at least that command and they do not attain life, are not righteous, and come under a curse.
Gal 3:12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”
This verse substantiates verse one. Legalists instead of letting G-d’s Torah speak for itself add to and amplify His torah into a legalistic perversion. By selecting one verse they evaluate it above all others nullifying G-d’s Will and replace G-d’s intent and supplanting His authority as in Oral Torah and Cannon Law. Even independent churches do this in that they have doctrines that annul G-d’s clear intent as contained in His Torah.
Gal 3:13 Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”–
In verse 13 Sha’ul quotes from Deuteronomy 21:22-23. The elements comprising the cursed are found in Deuteronomy 28: 15-68 and you should read them for yourselves. But let me read you the first verse 15:
Deu 28:15 “But it shall come about, if you will not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.
Yahshua was cursed on our behalf and our trust in His faithfulness delivers us from past sins. By reading these curses we can get an appreciation of how graceful G-d is toward us who are believers, yet He does cover our future sins as both Sha’ul and Peter attest. This is done by repentance and obedience to His Torah.
Gal 3:14 in order that in Messiah Yahshua the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
In Gen. 12: 1-3 Abraham is promised that in him will all the families of the earth be blessed. By this blessing, we learn that Yahshua who takes away the sins of the world includes even believing Gentiles will be added unto the House of G-d, Israel, by partaking of the Covenants of Israel, whose constitution is the Torah and thereby becoming one with His family through trusting and being faithful.
Shabbat Shalom