English Standard Version
Galatians 3:12
12But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them."
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.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”
Context of Galatians 3:12
10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised 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 the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
- Romans 9:30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
- Romans 11:6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
- Leviticus 18:5You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
- Nehemiah 9:29And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.
- Ezekiel 20:11I gave them my statutes and made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live.
- Matthew 19:17And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
- Luke 10:25And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
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