Galatians 3:22 kjv
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Galatians 3:22 nkjv
But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:22 niv
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:22 esv
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:22 nlt
But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gal 3:22 | ...hath shut up all things under sin... | Acts 17:31 |
| Gal 3:22 | ...that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given... | Rom 3:20 |
| Gal 3:22 | ...to them that believe. | Rom 4:16 |
| Gen 6:5 | ...every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | Rom 3:23 |
| Psa 14:2-3 | ...none doeth good, no, not one. | Isa 53:6 |
| Isa 64:6 | For all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags... | Jer 17:9 |
| Rom 3:9 | ...Are they better than they? No, in no wise... | Rom 3:24 |
| Rom 3:10 | There is none righteous, no, not one. | Gal 2:16 |
| Rom 3:19-20 | ...that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight... | Gal 3:10 |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; | Gal 3:22 |
| Rom 11:32 | For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. | Gal 3:22 |
| Acts 4:12 | Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. | John 3:16 |
| John 1:29 | Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. | John 14:6 |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: | Gal 3:23 |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. | Tit 3:5 |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace... | 1 Pet 1:18-20 |
| Heb 4:15 | For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. | Gal 3:24 |
| Heb 7:26-27 | For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. | 1 Pet 3:18 |
| 1 John 2:1-2 | My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. | Rev 1:5 |
| Gal 3:24 | Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ... | Rom 10:4 |
| John 10:9 | I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved... | Rom 8:3-4 |
Galatians 3 verses
Galatians 3 22 Meaning
The Scripture states that "the Scripture hath shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." This means that the Law of Moses, in its entirety, exposed every person's inherent sinfulness and inability to achieve righteousness on their own. It served as a universal confinement, demonstrating that no one could earn salvation through legalistic observance. The purpose of this divine enclosure was to highlight humanity's desperate need for a Savior, and to ensure that salvation would ultimately be received solely through faith in Jesus Christ, and thus be accessible to all who place their trust in Him.
Galatians 3 22 Context
This verse is a pivotal statement within the broader argument of Galatians chapter 3. Paul is contrasting the Mosaic Law with the gospel of grace. He has just established that no one is justified by the works of the Law (Gal 3:10-12). Before this verse, Paul references Old Testament texts and shows that the covenant made with Abraham, which predates the Law, was based on faith and the promise of justification. He emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Law. Therefore, Galatians 3:22 functions as the scriptural basis for why reliance on the Law for salvation is futile and why faith in Christ is the only way. It directly counters the teachings of the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. The chapter context highlights Paul's strong defense of the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice and the believer's union with Him apart from legalistic requirements.
Galatians 3 22 Word analysis
- Scripture: (Greek: graphe, γραφή) refers to the written Word of God, encompassing the Old Testament. It emphasizes the divine authority and prophetic testimony regarding the condition of humanity and God's plan.
- hath shut up: (Greek: synkleio, συγκλείω) meaning to enclose, shut in, to hold captive. It suggests a complete containment, leaving no escape.
- all things: (Greek: hapanta, ἅπαντα) referring to all humanity, every individual, without exception.
- under sin: (Greek: hypo hamartia, ὑπὸ ἁμαρτίαν) signifies being subject to, enslaved by, or under the dominion of sin. It portrays sin as an overwhelming force controlling everyone.
- that: (Greek: hina, ἵνα) introduces the purpose or aim of the previous statement.
- the promise: (Greek: epaggelia, ἐπαγγελία) the assurance, the pledge, specifically referring to the promise of righteousness, life, and inheritance given by God.
- by faith: (Greek: ek pistis, ἐκ πίστεως) originating from, by means of faith.
- of Jesus Christ: (Greek: Iesou Christou, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) the faith that is in or belongs to Jesus Christ, or faith directed towards Him.
- might be given: (Greek: dothe, δοθῇ) passive subjunctive verb, indicating the result or outcome intended by God's decree.
- to them that believe: (Greek: tois pisteuousin, τοῖς πιστεύουσιν) those who have faith, the believing ones. This specifies the recipients of the promise.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Scripture hath shut up all things under sin": This phrase asserts a universal reality established and declared by God's Word. The Law, by revealing God's perfect standard, unequivocally demonstrates that all people, without exception, fall short and are condemned by sin. It's a legal and spiritual confinement.
- "that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given": This connects the preceding declaration directly to God's redemptive plan. The very purpose of the Law's confining nature was to lead humanity to recognize their need for grace and to direct them to the sole provision for righteousness and reconciliation – faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3 22 Bonus section
The concept of "shutting up" echoes Old Testament imagery of boundaries and containment, like the prescribed limits for the Ark or the city walls. In this spiritual sense, sin is the impassable barrier that separates humanity from God, a barrier no human effort can overcome. The Mosaic Law, intended as a path to righteousness, ironically became the proof of sin's overwhelming power, highlighting man's desperate need for an outside intervention. This perfectly sets the stage for the introduction of Christ as the Mediator of a new covenant, not based on the Law's demands but on grace and faith, which unlocks the promised inheritance for all believers. The inclusiveness of "all things" and "them that believe" underscores the universality of both sin and salvation through faith in Christ.
Galatians 3 22 Commentary
The Law acts as a divine confinement, unequivocally revealing humanity's pervasive sinfulness. Its purpose is not to justify but to condemn, thereby exposing the universal need for God's grace. This enclosure serves a crucial, positive function: it drives all to recognize their inability to achieve righteousness through their own efforts. Consequently, the Scripture directs our attention to the unique solution offered in Jesus Christ. Salvation, and the blessings promised by God, are not attained through legalistic adherence but are freely given to all who place their faith in Christ's finished work. Faith in Christ is the exclusive pathway to receive these divinely guaranteed promises. This doctrine is foundational to Christian assurance and unity, emphasizing that worthiness is found in Christ alone, not in works.