Devine Scripture

Galatians 2:21

What does Galatians 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Galatians 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Galatians 2:21 means

Paul refuses to nullify God’s grace. If righteousness could come through the law, then Christ’s death was unnecessary. This stark conclusion exposes the tragedy of adding law-works to faith for justification: it drains the cross of meaning. Grace and Law-as-a-means-of-acceptance cannot coexist. To preserve the necessity and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, believers must rest entirely on Him for righteousness. This verse summarizes the chapter’s argument—from Jerusalem’s recognition to Antioch’s correction—showing that the gospel’s truth and the church’s unity stand or fall with justification by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I do not make the grace of God of no effect: because if righteousness is through the law, then Christ was put to death for nothing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I do not make void the grace of God, for if righteousness <FI>be<Fi> through law--then Christ died in vain.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I cast not away the grace of God. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in vain.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I do not set aside the grace ofGod; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing.

Context

This closing statement crystallizes the stakes of the Antioch incident and the Galatian controversy. Having shown recognition from the apostles, confronted hypocrisy, and articulated justification by faith, Paul concludes that to seek righteousness by the Law is to deny the cross. This prepares readers for chapter 3, where he will argue from Scripture and experience that the Spirit is received by faith, not by works of the Law, further reinforcing the same central truth.

v.20I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

v.21This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 8:8

    How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes hath wrought falsely.

  • Isaiah 49:4

    But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.

  • Romans 8:31

    What then shall we say to these things? If Godisfor us, whoisagainst us?

  • Mark 7:9

    And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your tradition.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:17

    and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

  • Romans 10:3

    For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

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