3:10 凡以行律法為本的,都是被咒詛的;因為經上記著:「凡不常照律法書上所記一切之事去行的,就被咒詛。」
3:11 沒有一個人靠著律法在上帝面前稱義,這是明顯的;因為經上說:「義人必因信得生。」
3:12 律法原不本乎信,只說:「行這些事的,就必因此活著。」
3:13 基督既為我們受(原文是成)了咒詛,就贖出我們脫離律法的咒詛;因為經上記著:「凡掛在木頭上都是被咒詛的。」
3:14 這便叫亞伯拉罕的福,因基督耶穌可以臨到外邦人,使我們因信得著所應許的聖靈。
For all who rely on the works of the law
are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue
to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on
the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The
law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these
things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by
becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on
a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come
to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the
promise of the Spirit.
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這裡說到律法不是使人成為義,反倒使人蒙受上帝的憤怒—咒詛。因為你只要一沒達到律法的標準,就是有罪的,過去努力的遵守一概沒有功效,只有一直努力遵守下去。但是,人的努力是有限的,並且有一天會疲乏或軟弱,一切都歸於無有。
上帝所設立的「因信稱義」是透過耶穌基督一次的付出,成就無窮無盡的功效,使人因著祂釘十字架,承擔一切的罪,是永遠有效,並且突破種族的藩籬或界限,更突破人的限制,使人透過信靠祂,得以稱義到永遠,並以聖靈為記號。