Galatians 3:23

Galatians 3:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
• New International Version (NIV)Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.

Context of Galatians 3:23

21[Is] then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law; 22but the scripture has shut up all things under sin, that the promise, on the principle of faith of Jesus Christ, should be given to those that believe. But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed. 24So that the law has been our tutor up to Christ, that we might be justified on the principle of faith. 25But, faith having come, we are no longer under a tutor;

Galatians 3:23 word by word

Πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα συγκλειόμενοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι.Read the interlinear

• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• lawνόμοςnomos · lawG3551
• revealedἀποκαλύπτωapokaluptō · to revealG601

Cross-references for Galatians 3:23

• Galatians 3:19Why then the law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, until the seed came to whom the promise was made, ordained through angels in [the] hand of a mediator.
• Galatians 4:1Now I say, As long as the heir is a child, he differs nothing from a bondman, though he be lord of all;
• Hebrews 12:2looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured [the] cross, having despised [the] shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Galatians 4:4but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, come of woman, come under law,
• Galatians 5:18but if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.
• Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.
• Romans 6:14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under law but under grace.
• 1 Corinthians 9:20And I became to the Jews as a Jew, in order that I might gain the Jews: to those under law, as under law, not being myself under law, in order that I might gain those under law:
• Luke 10:23And having turned to the disciples privately he said, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see.
• Hebrews 11:13All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.
• 1 Peter 1:11searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which [was] in them pointed out, testifying before of the sufferings which [belonged] to Christ, and the glories after these.

Commentaries on Galatians 3:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23But before faith came - Before the Gospel was published. We were kept under the law, shut up - · We were kept as in a strong hold, , locked up, unto the faith - the religion of the Lord Jesus, which should afterwards be revealed. Here the same metaphor is used as above, and for its explanation I must refer the reader to the same place, Romans 11:32; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23But before faith came - That is, the system of salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith here denotes the Christian religion, because faith is its distinguishing characteristic. We were kept under the law - We, who were sinners; we, who have violated the Law. It is a general truth, that before the gospel was introduced, people were under the condemning sentence of the Law. Shut up unto the faith - Enclosed by the Law with reference to the full and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-25Verses 23-25 The law did not teach a living, saving knowledge; but, by its rites and ceremonies, especially by its sacrifices, it pointed to Christ, that they might be justified by faith. And thus it was, as the word properly signifies, a servant, to lead to Christ, as children are led to school by servants who have the care of them, that they might be more fully taught by Him the true way of justification and salvation, which is only by faith in Christ…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Because sin had imprisoned us (3:22), the law of Moses acted as a guard, keeping God's people safe (held in custody) until faith in Jesus was revealed. It clearly showed God's requirements and emphasized the need for a Savior. The law also kept sin under control by clearly showing its consequences.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. faith--namely, that just mentioned (Ga 3:22), of which Christ is the object. kept--Greek, "kept in ward": the effect of the "shutting up" (Ga 3:22; Ga 4:2; Ro 7:6). unto--"with a view to the faith," &c. We were, in a manner, morally forced to it, so that there remained to us no refuge but faith. Compare the phrase, Psa 78:50, Margin; Psa 31:8. which should afterwards, &c.--"which was afterwards to be revealed."Read the comment

Topics related to Galatians 3:23

• Faith
• Salvation
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Conclude
• Curse
• Eye
• Flesh
• Foolish
• Redeem
• Schoolmaster
• Shut
• Accommodation
• Adoption

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