Galatians 3:12

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

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}.

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.”

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

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

Galatians 3:12 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter, succinctly stating the fundamental incompatibility between seeking righteousness through the Law and receiving it through faith. It underscores that these two principles operate on entirely different foundations for achieving life and acceptance with God.

Context

In Galatians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul vigorously defends the gospel of justification by faith in Jesus Christ, directly confronting the Judaizers who were teaching that Gentile believers needed to observe the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul reminds the Galatians of their initial experience of receiving the Holy Spirit through faith, not by works of the Law. He points to Abraham, who was declared righteous by faith before the Law was given (Galatians 3:6). Verse 12 serves as a direct contrast to the preceding verse, Galatians 3:11, which declares, "The just shall live by faith."

Key Themes

  • Law is Not of Faith: This is the core statement. Paul argues that the Law and faith are mutually exclusive systems for obtaining righteousness and life. The Law demands perfect human performance and obedience, whereas faith requires trust and reliance on God's grace and Christ's finished work. One is based on human doing, the other on divine giving and human receiving.
  • Conditional Life Through Perfect Obedience: The second part of the verse, "The man that doeth them shall live in them," is a direct quotation from Leviticus 18:5. This Old Testament passage indeed promises life to those who perfectly obey God's commands. However, Paul uses this quote not to affirm the Law as a viable path for sinful humanity, but to highlight its impossible standard. For the Law to grant life, one must perfectly and consistently fulfill all its requirements.
  • Human Inability and the Law's Purpose: Implicit in Paul's argument is the understanding that no human being, apart from Christ, can perfectly keep the Law. Therefore, the Law, though holy and good, cannot actually bring justification or life to fallen humanity. Instead, it serves to reveal sin (Romans 3:20) and drive people to recognize their need for a Savior. It brings a curse to those who fail to uphold its every command (Galatians 3:10).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The man that doeth them shall live in them" is a precise quotation from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, specifically Leviticus 18:5. Paul's strategic use of this quote demonstrates his mastery of the Jewish scriptures and his ability to use them to argue for the superiority of justification by faith. The contrast between the active verb "doeth" (referring to human effort) and the passive reception inherent in "faith" is crucial to understanding the verse's meaning.

Practical Application

For believers today, Galatians 3:12 serves as a powerful reminder of the liberating truth of the gospel. It cautions against any form of legalism or self-righteousness, which attempts to earn God's favor or salvation through human effort, religious rules, or outward performance. Our standing before God comes not from our ability to perfectly obey the Law, but from faith in Jesus Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice on our behalf (Romans 10:4). This verse encourages us to rest in the finished work of Christ and to live by grace through faith, recognizing that salvation is a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), not a reward for our deeds.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back