Galatians 3:21

[Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Is the law {G3551} then {G3767} against {G2596} the promises {G1860} of God {G2316}? God forbid {G3361}{G1096}: for {G1063} if {G1487} there had been {G1325} a law {G3551} given {G1325} which {G3588} could {G1410} have given life {G2227}, verily {G3689} righteousness {G1343} should {G302} have been {G2258} by {G1537} the law {G3551}.

Does this mean that the legal part of the Torah stands in opposition to God’s promises? Heaven forbid! For if the legal part of the Torah which God gave had had in itself the power to give life, then righteousness really would have come by legalistically following such a Torah.

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.

Context

In Galatians 3:21, the Apostle Paul continues his fervent argument against the Judaizers, who were teaching that Gentile converts needed to observe the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be truly saved. Having already established that salvation comes by faith in Christ, not by works of the Law (Galatians 2:16), Paul anticipates a crucial objection: If the Law doesn't save, is it then in opposition to the promises God made to Abraham? This verse directly addresses that theological tension, emphatically denying any contradiction between God's Law and His sovereign promises.

Key Themes

  • The Law's Inability to Give Life: Paul's rhetorical question, "Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid," powerfully introduces the core truth: the Law was never intended to be a means of imparting spiritual life or achieving righteousness. Its function is distinct from God's salvific promises.
  • Righteousness by Faith, Not Law: The verse asserts that if the Law could indeed give life, then "righteousness should have been by the law." This highlights the fundamental difference between the covenant of Law and the covenant of grace. True righteousness, or right standing with God, is not earned through obedience to a legal code but is a gift received through faith in Christ, as emphasized in Romans 3:28.
  • God's Unwavering Promises: The Law does not nullify or contradict the earlier promises God made to Abraham, which declared that all nations would be blessed through faith (Genesis 12:3). The Law served a different, temporary purpose until Christ, the promised Seed, arrived.

Linguistic Insights

  • "God forbid" (Greek: mē genoito): This strong Greek idiom, frequently used by Paul (e.g., Romans 3:4, Romans 6:2), signifies an emphatic rejection of an absurd or blasphemous idea. It underscores Paul's horror at the suggestion that God's Law could be contrary to His promises.
  • "given life" (Greek: zōopoieō): This term means "to make alive," "to quicken," or "to impart spiritual vitality." Paul clearly states that the Law lacks this power; only God, through Christ, can impart spiritual life.

Practical Application

Galatians 3:21 offers profound liberation and clarity for believers today. It reminds us that our salvation and standing with God are not dependent on our ability to perfectly keep rules or laws, but on the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse:

  • Frees from Legalism: It undercuts any notion that spiritual life or righteousness can be earned by human effort or adherence to religious codes. Our focus should be on Christ, not on self-righteousness.
  • Highlights God's Consistent Character: God's promises and His Law, though serving different purposes, are not at odds. Both reveal His character and His plan for humanity. The Law, in fact, serves as a tutor or schoolmaster to lead us to Christ by revealing our sin and our inability to save ourselves.
  • Emphasizes the Sufficiency of Christ: Since the Law cannot give life, it points to the necessity of a Savior who can. Our spiritual life and righteousness come solely through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and offers His righteousness to all who believe.
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.

  • Galatians 2:21

    I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

  • Romans 9:31

    But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

  • Romans 3:20

    Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

  • Romans 3:22

    Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

  • Galatians 2:19

    For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

  • Romans 10:3

    For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  • 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:])

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