QUESTION:What does the term “the curse of the law” mean, and what does it mean that Christ came to redeem us from it?
Galatians 3:13 (ESV)“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.’”
When God gave the Law to Israel through Moses, it came with both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The curses were severe and comprehensive—they included spiritual separation from God, physical suffering, defeat by enemies, exile, and ultimately death (Deuteronomy 28). These judgments are what the Bible refers to as “the curse of the law.”
Deuteronomy 27:26 (NKJV)“Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.” And all the people shall say, “Amen!”
This verse teaches that perfect obedience to the Law was required, and failure at even one point brought a curse. According to
James 2:10 (ESV): “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
James 2:10 (ESV):
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
In reality, no one has ever been able to perfectly keep the Law. The Law is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), but it also reveals human sinfulness and our inability to meet God’s perfect standard.
Romans 3:10–12, 23 (ESV):“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Therefore, everyone stands condemned under the curse of the Law—not because the Law is bad, but because human nature is sinful. The Law acts like a mirror: it reveals our sin but cannot cleanse us from it.
But God, in His great love, provided a way of redemption. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law completely and then took upon Himself the curse that we deserved. On the cross, He became the substitute for sinners.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV):“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Isaiah 53:5–6 (NKJV):“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
By His death on the cross, Christ became a curse in our place. The phrase “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (from Deut. 21:23) was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified. He bore the curse that we earned, so we could receive the blessing of justification by faith.
Romans 5:8–9 (ESV):“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
Because of Christ’s finished work, believers are no longer under condemnation.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV):“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
We are no longer under the Law as a system of judgment. Instead, we live under grace through faith. We are accepted by God, not because of our efforts, but because of Christ’s righteousness credited to us.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV):“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Anyone who has not believed in Christ is still under the curse of the Law—trying to earn God’s favor through personal effort, moral goodness, or religious rituals. But human effort will always fall short.
You might say, “I don’t steal or lie,” but even harboring lustful thoughts or hatred is sin (Matthew 5:21–28). The standard is perfection, and none can meet it.
Romans 6:23 (ESV):“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This is why we all desperately need Jesus. Without Him, we are condemned; with Him, we are free. In Christ, the curse is broken, and we are brought into God’s family, fully accepted, fully forgiven.
John 3:16–18 (ESV):“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life… Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already.
What Should You Do?
So what are you waiting for? Jesus is offering you freedom from condemnation and eternal life. Believe in Him today and be saved—not by your righteousness, but by His grace.
Receive Him now. Surrender to Him in prayer, asking Him to save you, forgive your sins, and make you His own.
May the Lord bless you as you respond to His call.
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