Galatians 3:13 and the Freedom from Sinful Behavior
Galatians 3:13 states, "Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Lawe, made a curse for vs, (for it is written, Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree)" (Geneva1599) [3]. This verse is central to Paul's argument in Galatians, emphasizing the freedom believers have in Christ from the condemnation of the Law.
The broader context of Galatians 3 addresses the Galatians' temptation to revert to legalism, questioning why they would seek completion in the flesh after beginning in the Spirit [2]. Paul argues that justification comes through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Law [8]. He highlights that the Law, while holy, cannot provide salvation; instead, it reveals sin and brings a curse upon those who fail to keep it perfectly [7, 8]. The apostle's concern is that the Galatians, influenced by "judaizing teachers," were being drawn back into "the bondage of the law" [12].
The phrase "redeemed us from the curse of the Law" signifies that Christ paid a ransom to "buy back his people" [8]. This redemption is a core component of justification, where God absolves the sinner from the Law's condemnation, removing the guilt and penalty of sin through Christ's work [5]. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree," to explain how Christ accomplished this redemption [3, 8]. By being crucified, Jesus took upon himself the curse that rightfully belonged to sinners [8]. This act freed believers from the Law's curse, allowing them to receive God's blessings through faith [8].
The concept of "freedom" is a recurring theme in Galatians. In Galatians 5:13, Paul reminds the believers, "For you were called to freedom, brothers" [1]. This freedom, however, is not an "opportunity for the flesh" but an invitation to serve one another through love [1]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, explains that this liberty encompasses freedom from the dominion, guilt, and damning power of sin, from the tyranny of Satan, and from the ceremonial and moral law as a covenant of works [13]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, similarly cautions against using this liberty "as an occasion to the flesh" [11].
This freedom from the curse of the Law and the power of sin does not imply a license for sinful behavior. Instead, it empowers believers to live by the Spirit, which produces virtues such as "gentleness, and self-control" [4, 9]. The Holy Spirit enables individuals to avoid sin, rather than providing moral license [9]. Paul explicitly states that "against such things there is no law," meaning those who are virtuous by the Spirit do not require the Law to govern their conduct [4, 9].
The epistle also addresses the practical implications of this freedom. Paul encourages believers to humbly help others who fall into sin, recognizing that all are susceptible to temptation [10]. The contrast is drawn between those who depend on the Law and those who look to God through faith in Christ, who "freely receive God’s life and blessings" [8]. This spiritual freedom is antithetical to malice, which springs from an evil heart and is incompatible with the worship of God [6]. The overall message is that living by the Spirit results in doing good and reaping rewards [10].
Sources
- Galatians “Galatians 5:13 (LEB) — For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
- Galatians “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? -- Galatians 3:3”
- Galatians “Galatians 3:13 (Geneva1599) — Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Lawe, made a curse for vs, (for it is written, Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree)”
- Galatians “Galatians 5:23 (BSB) — gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:22: 3:22 we are all prisoners of sin: See Rom 3:9; 7:1-13; 11:32. Keeping the law is of no use in bringing salvation; only believing in Jesus Christ can bring freedom.”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:13: 3:13-14 In contrast with those who depend on the law (3:10-12), those who look to God through faith in Christ freely receive God’s life and blessings. 3:13 rescued us (or ransomed us): Christ paid a ransom to buy back his people (see 4:4-5; 1 Pet 1:18-20). • “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”: Paul quotes Deut 21:23, in which executed criminals exposed for public shame were under God’s curse (see study note on Deut 21:22). Jesus, when he was crucified, took upon himself God’s curse that should have fallen upon all sinners (cp. 2 Cor 5:21).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:23: 5:23 Gentleness is antithetical to the vices of 5:20 and requires strength (see Prov 15:1, 4; Matt 11:28-29; Eph 4:2). • self-control: The Holy Spirit does not give moral license but empowers people to avoid sin (cp. Gal 5:13; Rom 6:14-18; 1 Thes 4:3-7; 1 Pet 2:16; see also Acts 24:25; Titus 1:8). • There is no law against these things! Paul is stating the obvious, but also making the point that those who are virtuous by the Spirit do not need law to govern them.”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:1: 6:1-10 Living by the Spirit (5:13–6:10) results in doing good (6:1-5) and reaping rewards from one’s work (6:6-10). 6:1-5 Paul outlines how to treat other Christians with love when they sin. 6:1 Perhaps some of the Galatians were proud of their obedience to the law or their spiritual freedom and willpower. But those who are truly godly are not proud of their accomplishments but humbly help others. • be careful: We are all susceptible to the same temptation to sin (Rom 3:9-20).”
- Galatians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Galatians 5:13: In the latter part of this chapter the apostle comes to exhort these Christians to serious practical godliness, as the best antidote against the snares of the false teachers. Two things especially he presses upon them: - I. That they should not strive with one another, but love one another. He tells them (Gal 5:13) that they had been called unto liberty, and he would have them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free; but yet he would have them be very careful that they did not use this liberty as an occasion to the flesh - that they di”
- Galatians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Galatians 5:1: In the former part of this chapter the apostle cautions the Galatians to take heed of the judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to bring them back under the bondage of the law. He had been arguing against them before, and had largely shown how contrary the principles and spirit of those teachers were to the spirit of the gospel; and now this is as it were the general inference or application of all that discourse. Since it appeared by what had been said that we can be justified only by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the righteousness of the law, and that the la”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty,.... There is the liberty of grace, and the liberty of glory; the former of these is here meant, and lies in a freedom from sin; not from the indwelling of it, but from the dominion, guilt, and damning power of it; from the captivity and tyranny of Satan, though not from his temptations and insults; from the law, the ceremonial law, as an handwriting of ordinances, a rigid severe schoolmaster, and a middle wall of partition, and from all its burdensome rites and institutions; from the moral law as a covenant of works, and as admin”