Galatians 3:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the law {G3551} is {G2076} not {G3756} of {G1537} faith {G4102}: but {G235}, The man {G444} that doeth {G4160} them {G846} shall live {G2198} in {G1722} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Furthermore, legalism is not based on trusting and being faithful, but on [a misuse of] the text that says, “Anyone who does these things will attain life through them.”

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 3:12 succinctly articulates the fundamental antithesis between two distinct principles for achieving righteousness and life before God: the Law and faith. Paul asserts that these two systems are mutually exclusive, with the Law demanding perfect human performance to attain life, while faith operates on the principle of divine grace and trust in God's provision, particularly through Christ's redemptive work. This verse serves as a critical pivot in Paul's argument, emphasizing that salvation is not a reward for human effort but a gift received through belief.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 3:12 is a direct continuation and crucial counterpoint to the preceding verses in Paul's impassioned defense of the gospel against the Judaizers. Paul has already established in [Galatians 3:1-5](/galatians/3-1-5 "Paul's Rebuke to the Galatians") that the Galatians received the Spirit not by works of the Law, but by hearing with faith. He then appeals to Abraham, whose faith was "counted to him as righteousness" ([Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Abraham's Faith Reckoned as Righteousness")), demonstrating that the true children of Abraham are those who live by faith. Verse 11 declares, "The just shall live by faith," quoting [Habakkuk 2:4](/habakkuk/2-4 "Habakkuk 2:4 - The Just Shall Live by Faith"). Verse 12 immediately follows, presenting the Law's principle as diametrically opposed to this truth, setting up the subsequent discussion on the Law's purpose and Christ's work in [Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13-14 "Christ Redeems from the Curse of the Law").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing to churches in Galatia (likely South Galatia), a Roman province in Asia Minor, where Jewish Christians (Judaizers) were insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be fully righteous and saved. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone. The Judaizers would have appealed to the Law as God's revealed will, promising life to those who obeyed it. Paul's argument in [Galatians](/galatians "The Book of Galatians - Freedom in Christ") is deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, particularly the Abrahamic covenant and the Mosaic Law. His quotation from [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - Keeping the Statutes for Life") in verse 12 is a strategic move, using the very scriptures the Judaizers revered to expose the Law's true demands and humanity's inability to meet them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in Galatians. The most prominent is the **incompatibility of Law and Faith** as means of justification. Paul argues that these are two distinct and opposing principles for relating to God and receiving life; one cannot mix them. Another key theme is the **Law's demand for perfect obedience**, highlighted by the quote from [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - Obedience and Life"). This demand, while righteous, reveals humanity's inability to achieve righteousness through its own efforts, thus underscoring the **necessity of God's grace and Christ's work**. The verse also implicitly points to the **Law's purpose as a revealer of sin** ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")) and a guide to Christ, rather than a path to salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** This term, derived from a word meaning "to parcel out," refers to a prescriptive usage or regulation. In this context, it specifically denotes the Mosaic Law, the comprehensive body of divine commands given through Moses to Israel. Paul uses it here to represent a system of obtaining righteousness through adherence to commandments, contrasting it sharply with faith.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** Derived from a word meaning "persuasion," this term signifies credence, moral conviction of religious truth, and especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It embodies trust, belief, and fidelity. In Galatians 3:12, Paul emphasizes that faith is the opposite principle to the Law, representing a reception of God's grace rather than an earning of His favor.
* **doeth (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This primary verb means "to make or do" in a very wide application. In the context of "The man that doeth them," it emphasizes active human performance and obedience to the Law's commands. This word highlights the Law's demand for human effort, which stands in stark contrast to the passive reception inherent in the concept of faith.
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to live," literally or figuratively. In the phrase "shall live in them," it refers to spiritual life, righteousness, and acceptance with God. The Law promises this life to those who perfectly "do" its commands, but Paul's argument implies that such perfect doing is impossible for fallen humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the law is not of faith:"** Paul makes a categorical declaration that the Law and faith operate on entirely different principles. The Law is not "from" or "out of" the principle of faith (G1537, _ek_). This means that the Law's system of achieving righteousness is fundamentally distinct from and opposed to the system of faith. The Law demands human performance and obedience, while faith requires reliance on God's grace and Christ's work. One is based on human effort, the other on divine provision.
* **"but, The man that doeth them shall live in them."** This clause, introduced by "but" (G235, _allá_), presents the contrasting principle of the Law. It is a direct quotation from [Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - Keeping Statutes for Life"), which states that life is promised to those who perfectly obey the Law's commands. Paul uses this quote not to affirm the Law as a viable path for sinful humanity, but to underscore its absolute standard. For the Law to grant life, one must perfectly and consistently fulfill all its requirements, a feat impossible for fallen humanity. The phrase "live in them" implies that life is found *within* the sphere of perfect obedience to the Law.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Antithesis** in this verse, directly contrasting "the law" with "faith." This stark opposition highlights the mutually exclusive nature of these two paths to righteousness. He further utilizes **Quotation**, specifically from the Old Testament ([Leviticus 18:5](/leviticus/18-5 "Leviticus 18:5 - Obedience and Life")), to establish the Law's own stated principle, which then serves as the foundation for his argument that no one can truly "live" by it due to human sinfulness. The use of the verb "doeth" in the quote emphasizes the **Conditionality** of the Law's promise of life, setting it against the unconditional nature of grace received through faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 3:12 is a cornerstone of Pauline theology, asserting the fundamental difference between legal righteousness and imputed righteousness by faith. The Law, though holy and good, was never intended to be the means by which fallen humanity achieves justification. Its purpose was to reveal sin and to lead people to Christ, who alone could perfectly fulfill its demands and bear its curse. The verse underscores that attempting to mix Law and faith as paths to salvation corrupts both, as one requires human performance and the other requires humble reception of God's grace. True life and acceptance with God are found solely in relying on Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, not on our own imperfect efforts to keep the Law.

* [Romans 10:5](/romans/10-5 "Romans 10:5 - Righteousness by Law")
* [Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God by Faith")
* [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith Apart from Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 3:12 offers profound liberation for believers today. It serves as a vital safeguard against legalism, the insidious belief that our standing with God depends, even in part, on our performance, adherence to rules, or religious rituals. This verse reminds us that the gospel is not about what we *do* for God, but what God has *done* for us in Christ. Our salvation, our righteousness, and our access to life are entirely gifts received by faith, not wages earned by works. Embracing this truth frees us from the burden of trying to "do enough" to please God, allowing us to rest in the finished work of Jesus. It cultivates a spirit of gratitude and empowers us to live out of love and grace, rather than fear and obligation. This understanding should lead to deeper humility, greater assurance, and a more profound appreciation for the radical grace of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I subtly rely on my own performance or "doing" to feel acceptable to God, rather than resting in Christ's finished work?**
* **How does understanding the Law's demand for perfect obedience (which I cannot meet) deepen my appreciation for salvation by faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater reliance on God's grace and a deeper trust in Christ's righteousness in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Does Galatians 3:12 mean that the Law is bad or evil?**

Answer: No, Galatians 3:12 does not imply that the Law is bad or evil. Paul explicitly states elsewhere that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good" ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")). The issue is not with the Law's inherent goodness or divine origin, but with its *purpose* and *humanity's inability* to perfectly fulfill its demands. The Law was given to reveal sin, to demonstrate humanity's need for a Savior, and to serve as a temporary guardian until Christ came ([Galatians 3:19-25](/galatians/3-19-25 "The Purpose of the Law in Galatians")). It is a perfect standard, but fallen humanity cannot perfectly keep it to earn life. Therefore, it cannot be the means of justification for sinful people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 3:12, by starkly contrasting the Law and faith, powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Law's principle, "The man that doeth them shall live in them," highlights humanity's inescapable predicament: no one can perfectly "do" the Law to earn life, thus bringing all under a curse ([Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - The Curse of the Law")). Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled the Law's righteous demands on our behalf, living a life of impeccable obedience that no human could achieve ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). More profoundly, He became a curse for us, dying on the cross to redeem us from the Law's condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). Thus, the life promised by the Law, which was unattainable through human effort, is now freely given through faith in Christ, who is "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law")). In Him, the righteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")), allowing us to truly "live" by faith in the One who perfectly "did" all that was required.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 18:5

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

Romans 10:5

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Romans 10:6

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above:])

Nehemiah 9:29

And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Luke 10:25

¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luke 10:28

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.