King James Version

What Does Galatians 2:20 Mean?

Galatians 2:20 in the King James Version says “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in th... — study this verse from Galatians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 · KJV


Context

18

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19

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

20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The perfect passive Christō synestaurōmai (Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι, "I have been and remain crucified with Christ") describes completed action with ongoing results—Paul's co-crucifixion with Christ is historical fact (at conversion) with present reality. The prefix syn- (σύν, "with, together") indicates union; stauroō (σταυρόω, "to crucify") speaks of death to the old self.

The paradox continues: zō de ouketi egō, zē de en emoi Christos (ζῶ δὲ οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός, "I live, yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me"). The present tense (ζῶ, "I live") affirms existence, immediately qualified by ouketi egō (οὐκέτι ἐγώ, "no longer I")—the self-dependent, law-trusting ego is dead. Instead, Christos lives en emoi (ἐν ἐμοὶ, "in me")—indwelling presence, not mere influence. Ho de nyn zō en sarki (ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, "what I now live in flesh") acknowledges continuing bodily existence, but powered differently: en pistei zō tē tou hyiou tou theou (ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, "I live by faith in the Son of God").

The climax: tou agapēsantos me kai paradontos heauton hyper emou (τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, "who loved me and gave himself for me"). The aorist participles mark decisive historical action—Christ's love and self-giving on the cross. The intensely personal me and emou ("me") individualizes Christ's universal atonement—He died for Paul specifically, personally, intentionally.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse became the watchword of the Reformation and every subsequent spiritual awakening. Luther called it "the life of my soul." It captures the mystery of union with Christ: believers are so identified with Christ that His death becomes theirs (ending self-righteous striving) and His life becomes theirs (empowering holy living). This isn't mystical absorption into deity but covenant union where Christ's legal status and spiritual life are shared with those who trust Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would change in your daily life if you truly lived from the reality that you've been crucified with Christ?
  2. How does personalizing Christ's love ("loved me, gave Himself for me") transform generic doctrine into life-altering truth?
  3. In what areas are you still living by the ego ("I") rather than by faith in Christ who lives in you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
Χριστός·1 of 33

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

συνεσταύρωμαι2 of 33

I am crucified

G4957

to impale in company with (literally or figuratively)

ζῶ3 of 33

I

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

δὲ4 of 33

and

G1161

but, and, etc

οὐκέτι5 of 33

not

G3765

not yet, no longer

ἐγώ6 of 33

I

G1473

i, me

ζῶ7 of 33

I

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

δὲ8 of 33

and

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν9 of 33

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐμοὶ10 of 33

me

G1698

to me

Χριστός·11 of 33

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

12 of 33

the life which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δὲ13 of 33

and

G1161

but, and, etc

νῦν14 of 33

now

G3568

"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate

ζῶ15 of 33

I

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

ἐν16 of 33

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

σαρκί17 of 33

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἐν18 of 33

by

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πίστει19 of 33

the faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ζῶ20 of 33

I

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ21 of 33

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ22 of 33

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱοῦ23 of 33

of the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ24 of 33

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ25 of 33

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῦ26 of 33

who

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαπήσαντός27 of 33

loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

με28 of 33

me

G3165

me

καὶ29 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραδόντος30 of 33

gave

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

ἑαυτὸν31 of 33

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ὑπὲρ32 of 33

for

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

ἐμοῦ33 of 33

me

G1700

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 2:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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