Galatians 3:12

Translations

Modern

The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Traditional

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Literal

But the law is not out of faith; rather, “The one having done these things will live in them.”

Latin

Lex autem non est ex fide, sed: Qui fecerit ea, vivet in illis.

Original

Greek

English

The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Notes

Galatians 3:12

The 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).

Galatians 3:10–12

The Galatians thought they needed to be circumcised to please God. By doing this, they were trying to follow all of God's laws to be accepted by him. Those who seek to be right with God through the law are under a curse. They cannot follow the entire law, so they cannot receive blessings from it.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Paul (Saul) Biblical Law God’s Unified Plan of Salvation The Limitations of Law

Related verses

Leviticus 18:5
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
Romans 10:5–6
For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.”
Nehemiah 9:29
You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
Romans 4:14
For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
Romans 4:16
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Luke 10:25–28
One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Romans 4:4–5
Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation.
Ezekiel 20:11
And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.
Romans 11:6
And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
Ezekiel 20:13
Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.
Romans 9:30–32
What then will we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
Matthew 19:17
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Covenant Curse, Cursed Elemental Spirits, Elements Ezekiel, Book of Faith Freedom, Liberty Inheritance Letter to the Galatians Peter, Second Letter of

Topics

Abraham: God's Covenant With Faith in Christ Faith: General Scriptures Concerning Obedience: Enjoined Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation

Galatians 3:12

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