What is the meaning of Galatians 3:13?

Christ redeemed us

• The word “redeemed” points to a price paid to set slaves free, echoing passages like Matthew 20:28 and 1 Peter 1:18-19 where Jesus “gave His life as a ransom.”

• Redemption is accomplished solely by Christ—He is the active agent, not we (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7).

• The pronoun “us” means every believer, Jew or Gentile, who trusts in Him (Galatians 3:26-28).

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from the curse of the law

• The law’s “curse” is its penalty for disobedience (Deuteronomy 27:26; James 2:10).

• Because all have sinned (Romans 3:23), the law leaves every person condemned (Romans 7:10-11).

• Christ’s redemption delivers us from this condemnation so that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

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by becoming a curse for us

• Jesus did not merely bear a curse; He “became” it, taking the full weight of divine judgment we deserved (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• This substitutionary act fulfills God’s justice and love simultaneously (Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 2:24).

• “For us” underscores personal substitution: He stood in our place so we could stand in His righteousness (Galatians 2:20).

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for it is written

• Paul grounds his point in Scripture, reinforcing that the gospel fulfills, not abolishes, the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17).

• Quoting Scripture ensures believers see Christ’s work as the direct fulfillment of God’s prior revelation (Acts 13:32-33).

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“Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

• Paul cites Deuteronomy 21:22-23: “Anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.”

• Crucifixion placed Jesus under that Mosaic curse, publicly identifying Him with sinners (John 19:17-18).

• By bearing the curse on the cross (Acts 5:30; 1 Peter 2:24), He removed it from all who believe, opening the way for the blessing of Abraham to reach the nations (Galatians 3:14).

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summary

Galatians 3:13 declares that Jesus paid the price to liberate believers from the law’s condemning sentence. He did it by taking the curse Himself, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy, and providing complete redemption for everyone who trusts Him.