King James Version

What Does Galatians 3:21 Mean?

Galatians 3:21 in the King James Version says “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid : for if there had been a law given which could have given life,...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid : for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

Galatians 3:21 · KJV

Context

19

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

20

Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid : for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Read Galatians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Paul anticipates another objection: 'Is the law then against the promises of God?' (ho oun nomos kata tōn epangeliōn tou theou, ὁ οὖν νόμος κατὰ τῶν ἐπαγγελιῶν τοῦ θεοῦ)—if the Law can't justify and is inferior to the promise, does this pit Law against promise? Paul's emphatic answer: 'God forbid' (mē genoito, μὴ γένοιτο)—'May it never be!' The strongest negation in Greek. The Law and promise serve different purposes; they're not contradictory but complementary.

The conditional statement: 'for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law' (ei gar edothē nomos ho dynamenos zōopoiēsai, ontōs ek nomou an ēn hē dikaiosynē, εἰ γὰρ ἐδόθη νόμος ὁ δυνάμενος ζωοποιῆσαι, ὄντως ἐκ νόμου ἂν ἦν ἡ δικαιοσύνη). The participle 'could have given life' (dynamenos zōopoiēsai, δυνάμενος ζωοποιῆσαι)—'able to make alive'—reveals the issue: the Law lacks life-giving power. The adverb 'verily' (ontōs, ὄντως)—'truly, really'—stresses that if the Law could give life, righteousness would indeed come from Law.

But the contrary-to-fact conditional proves the Law cannot give life. Romans 8:3 states why: 'what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son...' The Law is holy and good (Romans 7:12), but powerless to impart life because of human sinfulness. The Law reveals sin, condemns sin, but cannot save from sin. Only the promise, fulfilled in Christ, gives life. Therefore, Law and promise work in concert: Law exposes our need; promise meets our need.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish theology revered the Torah as the source of life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, 32:46-47; Psalm 119:93; Proverbs 4:4), but misunderstood this to mean Torah-obedience produced life/righteousness. Paul agrees the Torah *promised* life (Leviticus 18:5, Galatians 3:12), but insists no one achieved it because no one kept the whole Law. The Torah cannot 'give life' (zōopoiēsai)—impart spiritual life and righteousness—because of human sinfulness. Only the Spirit, received through the promise by faith (v. 14), gives life (John 6:63, 2 Corinthians 3:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does verse 21 clarify that the Law and the promise are not contradictory but serve different (complementary) purposes in God's plan?
  2. Why is the Law unable to 'give life' (<em>zōopoiēsai</em>) and produce righteousness, despite being holy and good?
  3. In what ways might you be expecting the Law (moral effort, religious duty) to give you life and righteousness, rather than looking to the life-giving promise of the Spirit through faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ἡ1 of 24

“which”

G3588

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

οὖν2 of 24

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

νόμου3 of 24

“Is the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

κατὰ4 of 24

“against”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἡ5 of 24

“which”

G3588

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

ἐπαγγελιῶν6 of 24

“the promises”

G1860

an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)

ἡ7 of 24

“which”

G3588

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

θεοῦ8 of 24

“of God”

G2316

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

μὴ9 of 24

“God forbid”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γένοιτο10 of 24
G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

εἰ11 of 24

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

γὰρ12 of 24

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐδόθη13 of 24

“given”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

νόμου14 of 24

“Is the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἡ15 of 24

“which”

G3588

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

δυνάμενος16 of 24

“could”

G1410

to be able or possible

ζῳοποιῆσαι17 of 24

“have given life”

G2227

to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)

ὄντως18 of 24

“verily”

G3689

really

ἂν19 of 24

“should”

G302

whatsoever

ἐκ20 of 24

“by”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νόμου21 of 24

“Is the law”

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

ἦν22 of 24

“have been”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἡ23 of 24

“which”

G3588

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

δικαιοσύνη·24 of 24

“righteousness”

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

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 3:21 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 3:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 2:21Romans 9:31Romans 3:20-22Galatians 2:19Romans 10:3-6Romans 3:31

Test Your Knowledge

Galatians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGalatians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Galatians 3 with CommentaryAll Galatians ChaptersComplete Galatians QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes