Galatians 2:17
What does Galatians 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 2:17 means
Paul anticipates an objection: if Jews, seeking justification in Christ rather than the Law, are then found to be “sinners” for abandoning legal distinctives, does that make Christ a promoter of sin? He rejects the thought decisively. Christ is not the author of sin; rather, the problem arises when one confuses ceremonial boundary markers with true righteousness. Finding “sin” in those who trust Christ because they no longer keep such markers is a false judgment. The gospel does not make sin safe; it reveals that the Law cannot justify. Christ delivers sinners from sin’s guilt and power, not into it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if, while we were desiring to get righteousness through Christ, we ourselves were seen to be sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? In no way!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And if, seeking to be declared righteous in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, <FI>is<Fi> then Christ a ministrant of sin? let it not be!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? God forbid!
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Now if in seeking to be justified in Christ we also have been found sinners, then [is] Christ minister of sin? Far be the thought.
Context
This verse follows the proclamation of justification by faith, addressing critics who equate departure from the Law with moral laxity. Paul’s “God forbid” shows the charge is blasphemous. Verse 18 will clarify that returning to the law as a basis of standing with God actually makes one a transgressor, not holier. The argument is moving from denial of a false conclusion to a positive explanation of what rebuilding the old system implies.
v.16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
v.17This passage
v.18For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 3:6
God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
- Hebrews 8:2
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
- Galatians 3:21
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.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
- Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.
- Romans 11:7
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
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