Albert Barnes

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

“Christ hath redeemed us - The word used here ἐξηγόρασεν exēgorasen is not that which is usually employed in the New Testament to denote redemption. That word is λυτρόω lutroō.”

Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.

“Brethren, I speak after the manner of men - I draw an illustration from what actually occurs among people.”

What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.

“The covenant which was confirmed before of God - By God, in his promise to Abraham. It was confirmed before the giving of the Law. The confirmation was the solemn promise which God made to him.”

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

“For if the inheritance - The inheritance promised to Abraham. The sum of the promise was, that “he should be the heir of the world;” see Rom 4:13, and the note at that verse.”

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

“But after that faith is come - The scheme of salvation by faith. After that is revealed; see the note at Gal 3:23. We are no longer under a schoolmaster - Under the poedagogus, or pedagogue.”

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

“For as many of you - Whether by nature Jews or Gentiles. As have been baptized into Christ - Or “unto” (εἰς eis) - the same preposition which in Gal 3:24 is rendered unto) Christ.”

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

“And if ye be Christ’s - If you belong to the Messiah, and are interested in his work. Then are ye Abraham’s seed - The promise made to Abraham related to the Messiah. It was a promise that in him all should be blessed.”

So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

“Even so we - We who were Jews - for so I think the word here is to be limited, and not extended to the pagan, as Bloomfield supposes.”

You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

“Ye know how - To show them the folly of their embracing the new views which they had adopted, he reminds them of past times, and particularly of the strength of the attachment which they had evinced for him in former days.”

What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

“Where is then the blessedness - Margin, “What was” - in accordance with the Greek. The words “ye spake of” are not in the Greek, and should have been printed in italics. But they obscure the sense at any rate.”

Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.

“They zealously affect you - See 1Co 12:31 (Greek); 1Co 14:39. The word used here (Ζηλόω Zēloō), means to be “zealous” toward, that is, for or against any person or thing; usually, in a good sense, to be eager for.”

My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

“My little children - The language of tender affection, such as a parent would use toward his own offspring; see the note at 1Co 4:15; compare Mat 18:3; Joh 13:33; 1Jn 2:1, 1Jn 2:12-13; 1Jn 4:4; 1Jn 5:21.”

His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

“But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh - In the ordinary course of nature, without any special promise, or any unusual divine interposition, as in the case of Isaac. But he of the free woman ...”

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

“For this Agar is Mount Sinai - This Hagar well represents the Law given on Mount Sinai. No one can believe that Paul meant to say that Hagar was literally Mount Sinai.”

For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate…

“For it is written - This passage is found in Isa 54:1. For an exposition of its meaning as it occurs there, see my notes at Isaiah.”

At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

“But as then he that was born after the flesh - Ishmael; see Gal 4:23. Persecuted him that was born after the Spirit - That is, Isaac. The phrase, “after the Spirit,” here, is synonymous with “according to the promise” in the previous verse.”

Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

“So then, brethren - It follows from all this. Not from the allegory regarded as an argument - for Paul does not use it thus - but from the considerations suggested on the whole subject.”

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

“Stand fast, therefore - Be firm and unwavering. This verse properly belongs to the previous chapter, and should not have been separated from it. The sense is, that they were to be firm and unyielding in maintaining the great principles of Christian liberty.”

Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

“For I testify again - Probably he had stated this when he had preached the gospel to them first, and he now solemnly bears witness to the same thing again.”

You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?

“Ye did run well - The Christian life is often represented as a race; see the notes at 1Co 9:24-26. Paul means here, that they began the Christian life with ardour and zeal; compare Gal 4:15. Who did hinder you - Margin, “Drive you back.””

A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.

“A little leaven ... - This is evidently a proverbial expression; see it explained in the notes at 1Co 5:6.”

Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

“And I, brethren - Paul here proceeds to vindicate himself from giving countenance to the doctrines which they had advanced there.”

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty - Freedom from Jewish rites and ceremonies; see the notes at Gal 3:28; Gal 4:9, note, Gal 4:21-31, note.”

But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

“But if ye bite - The word used here (δάκνω daknō), means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here seems to be used in the sense of contending and striving - a metaphor not improbably taken from dogs and wild beasts.”

For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit - The inclinations and desires of the flesh are contrary to those of the Spirit.”