Galatians 3:6

Galatians 3:6 is a pivotal verse in Paul's letter, serving as a foundational argument for justification by faith rather than by works of the law. Paul uses the example of Abraham, the patriarch revered by both Jews and Gentiles, to demonstrate that righteousness has always been a matter of divine imputation based on belief, not human effort.

Context

In Galatians, Paul vigorously defends the gospel of grace against false teachers, known as Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile Christians must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. Paul counters their arguments by appealing to Abraham's experience, which predates the Law given through Moses by hundreds of years. This verse directly quotes Genesis 15:6, emphasizing that Abraham's righteousness came not from his works or adherence to a legal code, but from his simple trust in God's promise. This sets the stage for Paul's broader argument that the inheritance promised to Abraham was received through faith, not through law-keeping.

Key Themes

• Justification by Faith Alone: The core message is that salvation and a right standing with God (righteousness) are received through faith, not through obedience to the Law or ritualistic practices like circumcision. Abraham's life is presented as the ultimate proof of this principle, establishing a pattern for all who believe.
• Abraham as the Father of Believers: Paul presents Abraham not merely as an ancestor of the Jewish people, but as the spiritual father of all who share his faith, whether Jew or Gentile. His belief serves as the prototype for all who are justified by God.
• Imputed Righteousness: The phrase "it was accounted to him for righteousness" highlights the concept of imputed righteousness. This means God credits or reckons righteousness to a person's spiritual account, not because they have perfectly obeyed, but because they have believed. It is a divine declaration based on faith, not a human achievement. This theme is further developed by Paul in Romans 4:3-5.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "accounted" (KJV) or "reckoned" (ESV) is elogisthe (ἐλογίσθη), from the root logizomai. This term is an accounting or legal term, meaning "to calculate," "to credit," "to put to one's account," or "to impute." It signifies that righteousness was not earned by Abraham but was graciously credited to him by God because of his faith. It's a divine transaction where God declares a believing individual righteous, even though they are inherently imperfect.

Practical Application

Galatians 3:6 offers immense comfort and clarity for believers today. It assures us that our standing before God is not dependent on our performance, our adherence to rules, or our religious rituals, but solely on our faith in Christ. Just as Abraham believed God and was declared righteous, so too are we declared righteous when we place our trust in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. This truth liberates us from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and empowers us to live in the freedom and grace of the Gospel, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him.