What is the Curse of the Law? (Galatians 3:13 Meaning)

Here we are going to address the famous phrase, "curse of the law," from Galatians 3:13. We will look at common misunderstandings about this passage, and find out what Paul was really getting at when he used these words. We will see this from a 'covenant of vocation' perspective instead of the more common 'works contract' view of God's plan for humanity - as explained by N.T. Wright. 

"The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse on our behalf." -Galatians 3:13

Most of Christianity teaches that the curse of the law is eternal condemnation when we fail to follow God's instructions in the tiniest way. Any slip up, whether intentional or not, cuts us off from God and sends us to hell. Within this framework, God's law is believed to be so complex that we can't even know what it consists of. Therefore, many of us sin without realizing it and becoming "cursed by the law."

Tradition tells us that the curse of the law is being sent to hell when we are imperfect.

But if that was what Paul was getting at, it would make more sense for him to follow that up with something like, "so that we might be freed from sin and go to heaven." But he doesn't say anything like this. He also doesn't say that this brings us back into fellowship with God. Those are important topics, but not what Paul is addressing here.

What does Paul go on to say?

"He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to all people through the Messiah, so that by faith we would receive the promise of the Spirit." -Galatians 3:14

This ties into God's promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 18:18, Genesis 26:4, etc.). Having a worldwide family of his people was always part of the Creator's plan, and the Messiah's death makes that possible. Not because certain ethnicities or nations weren't 'allowed' into God's family before - but because the curse of the law had cut off many people.

The Messiah bore the curse of the law so that the blessing given to Abraham would go to all people.

Why is Paul bringing up promises made to Abraham and Sarah when he's talking about the curse of the law?

Because according to N.T. Wright the "Biblical view of what was achieved through Jesus's death has to do with the restoration of the human vocation, and Israel's larger divine purpose for the world."

The curse of the law was that human idolatry kept YHWH's people from participating in his covenant!

When we participate in covenant with YHWH we get to bear his image to the world. It becomes our job to reflect God's love and truth to the world and to care for people and steward creation. The curse of the law was that humans were unable to do this properly because of idolatry.

Wright says, "Jesus's death got rid of the roadblock between the divine promises and the nations for whom they were intended. And it opened the way for the Spirit to be poured out to equip God's people for their tasks." This understanding fits with Romans 8:28 - "God works all things together for good with those who love him." We were created to impact the world by being in covenant with YHWH. 

This understanding means that the law was not a threatening moral code that cursed us. Human idolatry - the failure to worship only YHWH - kept God's people from participating in his covenant. Breaking the law was a sign that idolatry was happening. Biblical law is given as a guideline to help us to stay away from idolatry.

What does it mean when it says Jesus became a curse?

This can be a very confusing verse. Paul is not saying the Messiah is somehow a bad thing or connected to cursing. Rather, the Messiah bore the penalty for mankind not holding up their end of the covenant. When humans broke the covenant by worshipping gods that were not YHWH, they were not punished. Jesus died in their place, even though he had not broken the covenant.

In Galatians Paul is celebrating that the reconciling death of the Messiah sets people free to take up their true vocation, and be part of the divine plan for the world.

More posts like this:
God Offers Us a Covenant of Vocation - Not a Works Contract
What Romans 8:28 Actually Means
The Three Types of Law in the Bible

Keeping the Law - A Covenant with God

The argument goes like this, "But we can't keep the law perfectly." 

Have you ever heard this? Or thought this yourself? Many times hearing of someone who is attempting to follow Scripture's less popular instructions like not eating certain animals or recognizing that the Sabbath day is actually the seventh day of the week and not the first, calls to mind the words from James 2:10.

"Anyone who guards the Torah, and yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of breaking it all."

Mostly we've heard this and thought, "Eh, there's no way I could do this 100% perfectly, so why even try?" Or, "I know I'm going to break it in this area so why go out of my way to keep it in another?" And that's been an incredibly unfortunate and incorrect way to view this passage.

Imagine if we carried this same logic to our wedding day, would we admit that we won't be able to love our spouse perfectly so we're not going to bother making an effort?

Despite our best intentions with our marriage there will be slip ups. Frustrations can lead to harsh words. Communication won't always be clear. Requests are easily forgotten. Actions can be hurtful. Frustration is inevitable in marriage and that's okay. I don't expect perfection from my husband and he extends that same kindness to me. It's okay that we aren't perfect spouses. Does that mean we should say, "Well I can't love you perfectly so it doesn't matter if I am faithful to you,"? Of course not! Realizing we are not perfect does not let us off the hook of the basics of how to treat your partner. Is a frustration from an honest mistake from your husband or wife different than he or she intentionally doing something you asked them not to? That's how it is for our Creator as well. Like in a healthy marriage, we should do our best to love and honor YHWH to the best of our ability.

Similarly, a business owner doesn't hire someone for a job expecting a flawless performance every week. But that doesn't mean the employee is off the hook with his work duties either. The employer holds the employee accountable to show up on time, have a good attitude and complete the tasks required of the job. Not being perfect doesn't mean we should neglect what is asked of us.

To go back to the verse from James, the point isn't that there's no point in trying. The point is that no matter how seemingly insignificant the instruction is to us, it matters to the one who gave it to us. Don't give yourself permission to break even the lesser commandments. Yes, slip ups happen sometimes. But as in relationships and job situations we are still expected to do our best. As with the guideline of marriage vows for how to treat our spouse, the commandments are given so that we can know how to live. Like with marriage, it takes effort on our part to have the best relationship possible with the Creator.

Ten Commandments - Visiting Neveh Shalom

A while back I mentioned that my husband and I took sort of a spontaneous vacation and showed you a few pictures from the Seattle portion of our trip. After spending a few days in Washington we drove down the coast to end up at my sister's near Portland, Oregon.

Something I do before we travel is to search for faith related things in the area we will be in and that's how I came across Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland. One photo of their massive ten commandments online and I knew this was a place I wanted to see! 

Yes, this was truly massive! The pine tress in front of it are full size for reference. The trees that appear taller on the right are actually on a large hill. Seeing this was really meaningful for me and I can't help but wish for the day when seeing things that declare YHWH's truth isn't such a rarity.

Neveh Shalom has a really nice setup. They sit a ways back from the road to begin with, and you can see the ten commandments when you pull in. But then drive up the hill on the right side and they have a beautiful courtyard area before their main entrance.

So many beautiful details!

It was great to see, "have these words be on  your gates," right in front of my eyes!

Symbols for the twelve tribes inside above the staircase.

I really enjoyed seeing this beautiful congregation in person and would recommend a detour if you are ever in the Portland area. How cute would a family picture be in front of the ten commandments wall?