Which is a good scripture. However, the person(s) who practically "spits" the words "the LAW" like it is filthy tasting is usually mishandling this scripture.
Does the Bible actually say that the Law IS "the curse". No.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
What did Jesus (The Lawgiver) say?
Mat 5:18-20
(18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
The scripture says: "the curse OF the law."
Ya know...a basic knowledge of grammar is also very helpful in understanding the Word of God.
This CURSE comes from not obeying ALL the law.
Deu 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.Gal 3:10,11 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
If you need a full description of that curse, God vividly supplied it:
Deu 28:58-66
(58) If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
(59) Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.
(60) Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.
(61) Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
(62) And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.
(63) And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
(64) And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
(65) And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
(66) And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
Fast forward to the Apostles time:
You have the Law telling the Jews that you are cursed if you don't follow ALL of the law...circumcision, blood sacrifices, divers washings, observances, feast days, ordinances.....
And New Testament apostles saying: You don't have to do those things anymore because the shed blood of Jesus Christ fulfilled those laws (they were the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ). Faith in Jesus Christ redeems us from the curse of the law.
Add to the mix, certain christian Jews who enjoyed the liberty of not having to observe all the washings, feast days, divers ordinances & observances, but still wanted to force the Gentiles to submit to circumcision through pressure and fear.
So Paul in Galatians chastised the Gentiles for departing from their Faith in Jesus Christ and for going back through fear and pressure to relying on the works of the law by obeying observances and ordinances, etc.
Gal 4:9, 10 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.Gal 6:12,13 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (ya know....kind of like those big rally's where they count everyone as "experiences" that just walks up and shakes a hand and says: "I believe" without any real change of heart.)
Paul admonished:
Gal 5:1-6 (1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
(3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
If you think circumcision will get you anywhere with God..then you will have to accept the curse of not doing the WHOLE law also.
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
The Early Church dealt with this:Act 15:5-10
(5) But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
(6) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
(7) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(8) And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
(9) And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(10) Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Paul broke it down in simple terms:
(you have to read slowly to get that simple terms part. :)
Rom 2:25-29
(25) For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law:
(26) Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
(27) And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law,
judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
(28) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly;
neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
(29) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly;
and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Christ redeemed us not only from the curse of sin...but also the curse of the Law. He redeemed us from the curses and penalties of not being circumcised, not observing the feasts and divers washings, observances and ordinances, of not shedding the blood of animals.
Gal 3:12-14 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Does this mean that Christ or Paul tells us not to observe the Commandments of God?? God forbid!
Remember Mat 5:18-20
(18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.(19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.(20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 22:36-40
(36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Joh 15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Only through Faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Grace) are we spared from the schoolmaster's penalties (curse) that could ONLY control our bodies...but could not CHANGE (circumcise) our hearts:
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
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