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.

Commentary

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Cross-References

  • Galatians 2:21 (12 votes)

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

  • Romans 9:31 (10 votes)

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

  • Romans 3:20 (9 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

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

  • Romans 10:3 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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:])