"Curse of the Law"?

Post by **_Ely** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:21 am

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
13 Christ has 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”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3

What exactly is the "curse of the Law"?
- Is it referring to the curses which God pronounced on Israel in the event of their not observing His commands Deuteronomy 27+ where the quote in Galatians 3:10 comes from?
- Is the curse that "whoever doesn't perfectly keep the Law is cursed" (a popular explanation but one for which I'm struggling to find scriptural warrant for).
- Or is it both, or something completely different?

Thoughts greatly welcomed

Ely

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:36 am

Is the curse that "whoever doesn't perfectly keep the Law is cursed" (a popular explanation but one for which I'm struggling to find scriptural warrant for).

Hi Ely, Sorry i don't have the verse at the moment but i think James said if we break any part of the law we have broken all of the law.

Post by **_Les Wright** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:13 pm

Hi Ely,

I'm going to cut and paste from my own personal notes... I do have a verse that you're looking for, but I also don't claim to have it all figured out..

3:10-14 Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law of Moses So That By Faith We Might Receive The Spirit, The Promised Blessing of Abraham
- v10 if trying to keep the Law of Moses and don’t keep it all, then it brings a curse (Dt 27:26)
- v11 the OT scriptures that show that justification is by faith, not by keeping the Law of Moses (Hab 2:4)
- v12 keeping the Law of Moses isn’t the same as faith (Rom 4:4), although keeping them did bring life (Lev 18:5)
- v13,14 Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the Law of Moses, so that the blessing of Abraham might be fulfilled in the nations who have faith ‘in Christ’ (i.e. the church, Christians)
- Is the curse that we’re redeemed from a temporal thing (i.e. bondage to the Law of Moses, Gal 2:4) and/or an ultimate once for all redemption from the curse (i.e. free from judgment, or declared righteous) obtained at the cross?

in Him,
Les

Post by **_Ely** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:10 pm

Les, was that a question for me to answer?

Post by **_Ely** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:40 pm

STEVE7150 wrote:Is the curse that "whoever doesn't perfectly keep the Law is cursed" (a popular explanation but one for which I'm struggling to find scriptural warrant for).

Hi Ely, Sorry i don't have the verse at the moment but i think James said if we break any part of the law we have broken all of the law.

Hey Steve, you probably mean James 2:. I won't pretend that I'm firm in my understanding of that passage or indeed the epistle as a whole. But, reading this passage, one notices the use of Present tense verbs. "The present tense usually denotes continuous kind of action. It shows 'action in progress' or 'a state of persistence.' When used in the indicative mood, the present tense denotes action taking place or going on in the present time." (http://www.ntgreek.org/learn_nt_greek/v ... tm#PRESENT).

The said verbs are in red:

"8 If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

It seems then that James was speaking concerning continuous, repeated action. Such a person has been and continues to be "convicted" by the law as a trangressor (perfect tense indicating "the continuation and present state of a completed past action." (http://www.ntgreek.org/learn_nt_greek/v ... tm#PERFECT).

That's my ponderous thoughts on this pasage thus far. I'm about to check out Mr Gregg's audio series on James. Hopefully, that will help formulate my thoughts a bit clearer.

in Christ,
Ely