The Atonement Thread — Paradox of the Curse-as-Cure

Gal 3:13, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 8:3: Christ became the curse that he might bear it.

The theological heart of the page. A symbol of the curse becomes the means of healing when lifted up. Paul's three parallel statements are the classic evangelical articulation; Hebrews extends the logic (Heb 12:2 — for the joy set before him endured the cross).

Commentary

Featured voice

John Calvin

Commentaries

Reformed

1. O foolish Galatians. An expostulation is here interwoven -- I should rather say, inserted -- amidst his doctrinal statements. Some will wonder that he did not delay it to the close of the Epistle, but the very serious nature of the errors which he has brought forward unquestionably roused…

Full verse-by-verse commentary and cross-references live on the verse page →

Key passage

Galatians 3:13 →

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

Cross-references

2 Cor 5:21Made him to be sin — the substitution principle.
Gal 3:13Made a curse for us — the curse-as-cure paradox.
Heb 9:28Christ once offered to bear the sins of many.
1 Pet 2:24Bare our sins in his own body on the tree.
Isa 53:5By his stripes we are healed — the look-and-live grammar.

Typological connection

The atonement mechanism the bronze serpent illustrates is substitutionary: the cursed thing lifted up takes on the curse and heals those who look in faith. Paul names the principle in 2 Cor 5:21 and Gal 3:13.

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