Gal. iii. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from, the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.
THE law, which subjects all mankind to a curse, is the moral law ; that is principally intended in the
passage before usa : it remains unalterable in its de- mands of obedience or punishment. But in the Gospel a remedy is provided for transgressors : this remedy is proposed to us in the text.
I. Clear up some points relative to redemption —
The most important truths of Christianity are often denied ; but we must be established in them, if we would receive the blessings of redemption. We should know clearly,
1. What is that " curse" from which we are re- deemed—
[Many suppose it to be annihilation, or at most a tem- porary punishment ; but the Scriptures represent it in a far different light : we cannot precisely declare the exact quality of it; it consists, however, partly in banishment from Godb, and partly in inconceivable anguish both of soul and bodyc. Its duration certainly will be eternal ; it will continue coeval with the happiness of the righteous d; neither the curse shall cease, nor sinners cease to endure ite.]
2. Who is it that redeems us from it —
[It is thought by many that we must deliver ourselves by repentance, &c. But it is impossible for fallen man to deliver his own soul : he cannot by doing, because he cannot perfectly obey the law in future ; and if he could, his obedience would not atone for past sinsf : he cannot by suffering, because the penalty of one sin is eternal death. Nor could the highest archangel redeem the world ; if he could, God needed not to have sent his own Son. None but " Christ " was sufficient for so great a work ; but his obedience unto death has effected our redemption ; he " made an end of sin, and brought in ever- lasting righteousness6."]
a It is that law, from the curse of which Abraham and the Gen- tiles were redeemed, ver. 10 ; and consequently, though the ceremo- nial law be not entirely excluded, the text must be understood principally in reference to the moral law.
b 2 Thess. i. 9. <= Luke xvi. 23, 24.
d Matt. xxv. 46. alm>iov is used respecting both.
e Our Lord repeats this no less than five times in six verses, Mark ix. 43 — 48.
f The ceasing to increase a debt will not cancel a debt already in- curred : see Luke xvii. 10. s Dan. ix. 24.