Galatians 3:11
What does Galatians 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:11 means
Paul declares that Scripture makes it evident: no one is justified before God by the law. Instead, the righteous live by faith. The law can reveal God’s standards and expose sin, but it cannot grant a righteous standing. Faith, by contrast, receives life from God. This does not pit God’s word against itself; it clarifies the distinct roles of law and faith. Justification—being counted right with God—comes on the basis of trusting Him, not on the basis of doing the law. This principle holds for all people and times, as Abraham’s example already showed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
KJV
King James Version · 1611But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now that no man gets righteousness by the law in the eyes of God, is clear; because, The upright will be living by faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and that in law no one is declared righteous with God, is evident, because `The righteous by faith shall live;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but that by law no one is justified withGod [is] evident, because The just shall live on the principle of faith;
Context
Verse 11 follows the warning of verse 10 and provides biblical proof that justification cannot come by the law. In verse 12, Paul will further explain the law’s operating principle—do and live—which differs from faith’s principle. Together, verses 10–12 intensify the problem of relying on law. Then, in verses 13–14, Paul presents the solution: Christ bore the curse to bring blessing, so that both Jews and Gentiles might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 64:6
For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
- Job 9:3
If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
- Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
- Job 42:6
Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.
- 1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
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