The lectionary has us jump to Galatians 3:23-29, to a summary of the relationship between faith and law. But Paul has done a fair amount of reasoning to get to that summary.
For Paul, that Christ was proclaimed as crucified (3:1), that they’ve experienced the Spirit of God working among and within them because of faith (3:2-4), and that Abraham was righteous by faith even before there was the law (3:6-9), all refute any notion of righteousness being through the law.
Then he turns to the whole concept of being under a curse (3:10-14). Here’s some strong evidence for the more recent readings of the Jewish mentality, not that they really thought that through obedience they could earn righteousness, but that they had settled for a “short list” like keeping the sabbath, circumcision, eating kosher, and such. Paul argues that the law itself requires one to keep it all or be cursed. If they were only emphasizing a few prominent requirements, Paul is saying that is curse-worthy. Finally, he notes that Jesus takes on the curse of the law so as to free us from it.
Finally, before arriving at our text for Sunday, Paul notes that the covenant of God is based on a promise which is received by faith. Once made, a covenant stands and cannot be altered. Therefore, the Law which came through Moses neither alters nor replaces the promise/covenant made to Abraham, which he accepted by faith.
At long last, our passage talks about the harmony that exists between faith and the law. Rather than competing with one another as different ways to be righteous, the covenant has always been received by faith. The law prepared us for the advent of Christ. Now in Christ, the promise made to Abraham of all nations being blessed is coming to pass as faith unifies everyone as promised.
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