Galatians 3 in the early church
759 passages quote, allude to, or echo Galatians 3, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · 29
Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:1 | Acts of Peter (Vercelli) 28 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 180–200 |
| Gal 3:1 | Prescription against Heretics 27 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 203 |
| Gal 3:1–3 | On Monogamy 14 · Tertullian | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 210–217 |
| Gal 3:1 | Homilies on Numbers 26.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gal 3:1 | Commentary on Romans 6.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gal 3:1 | Acta Archelai (Latin) 58 · Hegemonius | quotation, high confidence | early to mid 4th century (Greek original) |
| Gal 3:1 | Historical Fragments 1.4.1.2 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 343–367 |
| Gal 3:1 | On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 34 · Lucifer of Cagliari | quotation, high confidence | ca. 356–361 |
| Gal 3:1 | On the Generation of the Divine Word 1 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 357–362 |
| Gal 3:1 | Commentary on Galatians 3.1 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:1 | Commentary on Galatians 3:1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:1 | Ancoratus 77.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374 |
| Gal 3:1 | Letter 93.31 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Gal 3:1 | Homilies on Matthew 16.6 · John Chrysostom | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 390 |
| Gal 3:1 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 47.10.2 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Gal 3:1 | Sermon 10.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Gal 3:1 | The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 1.9 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 393–396 |
| Gal 3:1 | Confessions 13.14 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397–401 |
Galatians 3:2
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:2 | Letters to Serapion 1.4 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Gal 3:2 | Commentary on Galatians 3.2 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:2–3 | Commentary on Galatians 3:2 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:2 | Ancoratus 67.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis | allusion, high confidence | 374 |
Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:3 | Miscellanies 3.17.104 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Gal 3:3 | On First Principles 1.3.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220–230 (Rufinus's translation 398) |
| Gal 3:3 | Homilies on Numbers 26.7 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gal 3:3 | Homilies on Psalms 36-38 1.2 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Gal 3:3 | Commentary on Matthew 12.5 · Origen | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Gal 3:3 | Commentary on Matthew 15.37 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Gal 3:3 | Commentary on Romans 6.7 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gal 3:3 | Letter 10 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gal 3:3 | Commentary on Galatians 3.3 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:3 | Commentary on Galatians 3:3 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:3–4 | Liber Orsiesii 30 · Orsiesius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380-390 |
| Gal 3:3 | Letter 93.31 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Gal 3:3 | Sermon 10.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Gal 3:3–4 | Against Jovinianus 1.38 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Gal 3:3 | Letters 24.21 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
Galatians 3:4
Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:4 | Homilies on Jeremiah 19.14 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| Gal 3:4 | Letter 10 · Ammonas | quotation, high confidence | ca. 340-360 |
| Gal 3:4 | Commentary on Galatians 3.4 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:4 | Commentary on Galatians 3.5 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:4–5 | Commentary on Galatians 3:4–5 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Galatians 3:5
Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:5 | Against Heresies 4.21.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Gal 3:5 | Commentary on Galatians 3.5 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:5 | On Nature and Grace 61 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 415 |
Galatians 3:6
So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Galatians 3:7
Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
Galatians 3:9
So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:9 | Against Heresies 4.21.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Gal 3:9 | Against Heresies 5.32.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Gal 3:9 | Commentary on Romans 3.8 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gal 3:9 | Commentary on Galatians 3.8 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:9–10 | Commentary on Galatians 3:9–10 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:9 | Letter 196.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Galatians 3:10
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Galatians 3:11
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Galatians 3:12
The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:12 | Tractates on the Psalms 68.24 · Hilary of Poitiers | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Gal 3:12 | Commentary on Romans 4:2 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:12 | Question 9, section 1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–384 |
| Gal 3:12 | Book of Rules 3 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gal 3:12 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 42.11.8 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |
| Gal 3:12 | Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 42.12.3 · Epiphanius of Salamis | quotation, high confidence | 374-377 |
| Gal 3:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 12.34.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Gal 3:12 | Exposition of Psalm 118 19.35.2 · Ambrose | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386-397 |
Galatians 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 hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:14 | Against Marcion 5.3 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Gal 3:14 | Commentary on Romans 6.12 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Gal 3:14 | Letters to Serapion 1.6 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Gal 3:14 | Commentary on Galatians 3:14 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:14 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.68.2 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Galatians 3:15
Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:15 | Against Marcion 5.4 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Gal 3:15 | Three Letters to Sympronianus 3.11 · Pacian of Barcelona | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360-390 |
| Gal 3:15 | Commentary on Galatians 3:15 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:15 | Letter 196.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Gal 3:15–22 | On Christian Doctrine 4.20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | Books 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427 |
| Gal 3:15–18 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 3.6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
| Gal 3:15 | Book 1, chapter 9 · Anonymous | allusion, high confidence | ca. 440-450 |
Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
Galatians 3:17
What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.
Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:18 | Book of Rules 3 · Tyconius | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
| Gal 3:18–22 | Letter 177.13 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Gal 3:18 | Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 4.10 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420–421 |
Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.
Galatians 3:20
A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:20 | Excerpts from Theodotus 53.3 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200 |
| Gal 3:20 | From the Blessings of Balaam (Num 24:17; 23:19) · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 202-235 |
| Gal 3:20 | On the Trinity 30 · Novatian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–250 |
| Gal 3:20 | Against Marcellus 1.1.30 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 336–337 |
| Gal 3:20 | Against Marcellus 1.1.35 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 336–337 |
| Gal 3:20 | Commentary on Galatians 3.20 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:20 | Oration 40.7 · Gregory of Nazianzus | echo, low confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Gal 3:20–22 | Commentary on Galatians 3:20 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:20 | Letter 96.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gal 3:20 | Sermon 156.5 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Gal 3:20 | On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 1.45 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | 411–412 |
Galatians 3:21
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23
Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
Galatians 3:24
So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:25 | The Instructor 1.6.30 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Gal 3:25 | Commentary on Galatians 3.25 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:25 | Commentary on Galatians 3.26 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:25–26 | Commentary on Galatians 3:25–26 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Gal 3:25 | Letter 112.14 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Gal 3:25 | Letter 75.14 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:26 | The Instructor 1.6.31 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Gal 3:26 | Against Marcion 5.3 · Tertullian | quotation, high confidence | 207/208 (third edition, completed later) |
| Gal 3:26 | Homilies on the Psalms 7.4 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Gal 3:26 | Commentary on Galatians 3.26 · Marius Victorinus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:26 | Commentary on Galatians 3.27 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Gal 3:26 | On the Trinity 12.7 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–419 |
Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.