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Daily Devotions

Galatians

Galatians 
Day 
Day 42

"Just as Abraham 'believed God...'"

Text: Galatians 3:6a

THE EXAMPLE OF ABRAHAM

The example of Abraham is cited once again. Let us consider the following text carefully to appreciate why Paul cited Abraham as an example.

Just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted
to him for righteousness.’

Galatians 3:6

1. “Just as”

a) This phrase translates a comparative article (Greek – “kathos”).
b) Abraham is used as a means of comparison.
c) The correct corresponding statement would be “therefore” (which appears in the next verse).

2. “Abraham”

a) He existed before the law came in.
i) This point is of great importance.
ii) The blessings of God are therefore not necessarily related to the works of the law.
b) His role is significant.
i) As the one to whom God gave an everlasting covenant.
ii) As the father of the nation of Israel.
iii) As the one through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed.

3. “Believed God”

a) The focus is obviously faith in God.
b) The focus is certainly not the keeping of the law as this had not been given yet.

4. “And it was accounted to him for righteousness”

a) This is a reference to “justification”.
b) Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith in God.
c) God honoured his faith.
d) Abraham was not justified by the works of the law.

5. The application of the principle found in the phrase “just as”

a) Just as Abraham believed God, so must we.
b) Just as Abraham was justified because of his faith in God, so will we be similarly justified.