Galatians 3:6
What does Galatians 3:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 3:6 means
Paul cites Abraham to show that right standing with God has always been by faith. Abraham trusted God’s promise, and God counted that faith as righteousness. This did not rest on Abraham’s works or the law, which came centuries later, but on trusting God’s word. Abraham’s story becomes a template: God declares people righteous not because they achieve, but because they believe. In connecting their situation to Abraham, Paul lifts their eyes from performance to promise. The Galatians do not need to become Jews or keep the law to be accepted; they need the same faith that justified Abraham.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Even as Abraham had faith in God, and it was put to his account as righteousness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862according as Abraham did believe God, and it was reckoned to him--to righteousness;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Even as Abraham believedGod, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
Context
After appealing to experience, Paul now roots his case in Scripture. Verses 6–9 will unpack Abraham’s justification by faith and the blessing that flows to those who share his faith. This prepares for the contrast in verses 10–12 between blessing by faith and curse by law. Verses 13–14 will then explain how Christ removes the curse to bring Abraham’s blessing to the Gentiles. The Abraham example is crucial—it predates the law and includes a worldwide promise, showing that God’s plan has always centered on faith rather than law observance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:19
to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
- Romans 4:3
For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
- Romans 9:32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
- Romans 4:21
and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
- Romans 4:9
Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcision, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness.
- James 2:23
and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
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