3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ga 3:13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
After understanding that no one is perfect and able to fulfill the whole law, it seems rather hopeless to then acknowledge the curse that comes from being a prisoner of sin. No wonder the disciples asked Jesus in Luke 18:26, “Who then can be saved?” The seemingly impossible set of circumstances would cause a person to see no hope.
Redemption is a powerful word, and gives us hope. In our modern culture the thought of redemption brings application to an extreme coupon queen. In Biblical culture it has much greater meaning. It literally means “to buy off”. In the original language, “redeemed” comes from the same root word as “marketplace”. The imagery of a marketplace where slaves were bought and sold, allows us to more fully understand what Christ did when He redeemed us from the curse of sin.
We are dead in our sins, yet Christ paid the price for our sins so that we could be redeemed from the auction block of sin and death. Even the way Christ died on a cross, or a tree, was fulfillment of the Law. In today’s verse Paul references Deuteronomy 21:23. In ancient Hebrew culture a guilty criminal’s dead corpse would be posted on a stake, or tree, to be a visible reminder of the curse of the Law. In Christ’s death, He redeemed us and fulfilled the Law. Out of love, He became the curse for us, so that we might be made righteous!
The deep thought of what Christ did for us compels us to live with commitment toward Him and in love to others.
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