Galatians 3:10

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Galatian churches, who are being persuaded that circumcision and Torah observance are necessary additions to faith in Christ. He is mid-argument, having just stated that those who have faith are blessed with Abraham (3:9) and about to state that no one is justified by the law (3:11).

The words — κατάρη (kataran), "a curse," is the noun that carries the verse's weight; it is not a penalty or consequence but a formal, covenantal pronouncement. ὅσοι (hosoi), "as many as," universalizes the scope: there is no partial reliance on the law that escapes the verdict.

The thread — The quotation is Deuteronomy 27:26, the final curse pronounced over the whole assembly at Gerizim. Paul's logic echoes in Romans 3:19, where the law silences every mouth, and in Romans 8:7, where the flesh cannot submit to the law at all.

Why it lands — The verse eliminates the middle position: you either rely on the law and stand under its curse, or you do not. It asks the reader to examine whether their confidence in God is actually confidence in their own performance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Romans 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
Deuteronomy 11:26 See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse—
Jeremiah 11:3 You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,
James 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
Romans 4:15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.