Galatians 3:11 kjv
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11 nkjv
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 niv
Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 esv
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 nlt
So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."
Galatians 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Galatians 3:12 | The law is not of faith... | Galatians 3:12 (Theme: Law vs Faith) |
| Habakkuk 2:4 | ...but the righteous shall live by his faithfulness. | Habakkuk 2:4 (Theme: Righteousness by Faith) |
| Romans 1:17 | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous one shall live by faith." | Romans 1:17 (Theme: Righteousness by Faith) |
| Leviticus 18:5 | You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them. I am the LORD. | Leviticus 18:5 (Theme: Life by Law) |
| Deuteronomy 27:26 | "Cursed be anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by doing them." And all the people shall say, "Amen." | Deuteronomy 27:26 (Theme: Curse of Disobedience) |
| Jeremiah 11:3 | then say to them, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant | Jeremiah 11:3 (Theme: Curse of Disobedience) |
| Romans 3:20 | For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. | Romans 3:20 (Theme: Law Reveals Sin, Not Justifies) |
| Galatians 2:16 | yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. | Galatians 2:16 (Theme: Justification by Faith Alone) |
| Galatians 3:10 | For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse... | Galatians 3:10 (Theme: Curse of Law) |
| Ephesians 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Ephesians 2:8-9 (Theme: Salvation by Grace Through Faith) |
| Philippians 3:9 | and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Philippians 3:9 (Theme: Righteousness from God Through Faith) |
| John 1:17 | For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. | John 1:17 (Theme: Law vs. Grace) |
| Acts 13:39 | and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. | Acts 13:39 (Theme: Freedom from Law by Belief) |
| Romans 8:3 | For what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin, and in the flesh he condemned sin— | Romans 8:3 (Theme: Law's Weakness, God's Solution) |
| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. | 1 Peter 1:18-19 (Theme: Redemption Cost) |
| Deuteronomy 30:11-14 | For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear it and keep it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and keep it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. | Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (Theme: Law Accessible, But Burdened) |
| Matthew 5:17-20 | "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever therefore relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." | Matthew 5:17-20 (Theme: Jesus Fulfills Law, Calls for Higher Righteousness) |
| Isaiah 53:11 | Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. | Isaiah 53:11 (Theme: Servant's Suffering for Righteousness) |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." | John 3:16 (Theme: Belief in Son for Eternal Life) |
| Galatians 5:4 | You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by law; you have fallen away from grace. | Galatians 5:4 (Theme: Lost from Grace by Seeking Justification by Law) |
Galatians 3 verses
Galatians 3 11 Meaning
The clear intent is that salvation is not by adherence to the Law of Moses. God's established principle is that justification comes through faith, not works of the Law. This is because no one has ever been, or ever will be, justified solely by obeying the Law.
Galatians 3 11 Context
Galatians chapter 3 addresses the urgent problem of Judaizers who were attempting to force Gentile believers into the Mosaic Law for salvation and spiritual maturity. Paul argues that salvation and the initial gift of the Holy Spirit were received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the Law. He appeals to their own experience and uses Abraham as an example of justification by faith before the Law was given. This verse (3:11) serves as a reinforcement of the foundational principle that has been established throughout the chapter: true righteousness and standing before God come through faith alone. It sets up the understanding that the Law, while holy, cannot provide justification.
Galatians 3 11 Word Analysis
For (hoti - ὅτι): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement, directly connecting it to the argument being made.
the righteous (dikaios - δίκαιος): This term refers to one who is considered just, righteous, or upright in the sight of God. In this context, it’s not about inherent sinlessness but about a declared right standing before God.
shall live (zēsetai - ζήσεται): The future tense of the verb "to live." It indicates a state of existence, well-being, and a vital relationship with God. It implies more than just biological life; it suggests spiritual vitality and a life in communion with God.
by (ek - ἐκ): This preposition indicates origin, source, or cause. It signifies that "faith" is the means or foundation by which the righteous person lives.
faith (pistis - πίστις): This is a crucial term encompassing belief, trust, faithfulness, and conviction. It’s a confident reliance on God and His promises, particularly in Jesus Christ.
The certainty of justification is not from law, but from faith: The verse emphatically states that the means by which one is deemed righteous and receives the accompanying life is exclusively faith. This directly counters any notion of justification by legal obedience.
The life of the believer originates from faithfulness: The emphasis is on faith as the source of true spiritual life and a relationship with God, rather than meritorious actions performed under the Law.
The pronouncement is universally true: "the righteous shall live by faith" is presented as a divine decree, a settled principle in God's economy of salvation.
Galatians 3 11 Bonus Section
The citation of Habakkuk 2:4 is significant because it comes from the Old Testament, a foundational text for the Jewish audience. By referencing a Hebrew prophet, Paul demonstrates that his message aligns with the core revelations of God's dealings with His people, even before the Christian era. This lends strong authority to his argument against those who were insisting on the absolute necessity of the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers. It implies that the Law, while divinely given, was never intended as the exclusive means of justification for all time.
Galatians 3 11 Commentary
Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to underscore the Old Testament basis for justification by faith. The prophet's declaration emphasizes that an upright life before God is characterized by faithful reliance on Him, not by adherence to an external legal code. This was a radical concept, especially for those steeped in the idea that meticulous observance of the Law was the path to God's favor. Paul uses it to show that this principle was operative long before the Mosaic Law. Salvation and a right relationship with God have always been about a response of faith to God's character and promises, rather than an attempt to earn it through works. The Law of Moses, given later, amplified the awareness of sin but could not impart righteousness.