Amplified Bible
Galatians 3:12
12But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “He who practices them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [instead of faith].”
Galatians 3:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
- New International Version (NIV)The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
Context of Galatians 3:12
10For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed (condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.” 11Now it is clear that no one is justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing] before God by the Law, for “The righteous (the just, the upright) shall live by faith.” But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “He who practices them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [instead of faith].” 13Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs [crucified] on a tree (cross)”— 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might also come to the Gentiles, so that we would all receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit through faith.
Read all of Galatians 3Galatians 3:12 word by word
ὁ δὲ νόμος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ πίστεως ἀλλ᾽ ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- the lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- notοὐou · noG3756
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- The manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- that doethποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- shall liveζάωzaō · to liveG2198
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
Cross-references for Galatians 3:12
- Romans 4:4Now to a laborer, his wages are not credited as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation [something owed to him].
- Romans 9:30What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness [who did not seek salvation and a right relationship with God, nevertheless] obtained righteousness, that is, the righteousness which is produced by faith;
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law [with all its intricate demands] shall live by it.
- Romans 11:6But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].
- Leviticus 18:5So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which, if a person keeps them, he shall live; I am the Lord.
- Nehemiah 9:29And You admonished them and warned them to turn them back to Your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and arrogantly and did not heed Your commandments, but sinned against Your ordinances, Which by keeping, a man will live. But they turned a stubborn shoulder, stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
- Ezekiel 20:11I gave them My statutes and explained My ordinances to them, which, if a man keeps, he will live.
- Matthew 19:17Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.”
- Luke 10:25And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Commentaries on Galatians 3:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12And the law is not of faith - It promises no forgiveness to believing, but requires obedience. It is not, What do you believe? but, What have you done? The man that doeth them perfectly, at all times, and in all places, he shall live in them; but if in any case he fails, he forfeits his life. See the notes on Romans 1:17, etc.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12And the law is not of faith - The Law is not a matter of faith; it does not relate to faith; it does not require faith; it deals in other matters, and it pertains to another system than to faith. But, The man - This is the language of the Law, and this is what the Law teaches. It does not make provision for faith, but it requires unwavering and perpetual obedience, if man would obtain life by it; see this passage explained in the notes at Romans 10:5.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 The apostle proves the doctrine he had blamed the Galatians for rejecting; namely, that of justification by faith without the works of the law. This he does from the example of Abraham, whose faith fastened upon the word and promise of God, and upon his believing he was owned and accepted of God as a righteous man. The Scripture is said to foresee, because the Holy Spirit that indited the Scripture did foresee. Through faith in the promise of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The law itself is not opposed to faith (see 3:19–25; Romans 7:7–13), but trying to be righteous by following the law opposes righteousness by faith in Christ. Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5 to show that life under the law of Moses requires obedience rather than belief. It is impossible to be accepted by God by trying to obey the law of Moses perfectly (Galatians 3:10–11).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. doeth--Many depended on the law although they did not keep it; but without doing, saith Paul, it is of no use to them (Ro 2:13, 17, 23; 10:5).Read the comment
Topics related to Galatians 3:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Galatians 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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