King James Version

What Does Galatians 3:7 Mean?

Galatians 3:7 in the King James Version says “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”

Galatians 3:7 · KJV

Faith

Context

5

He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. accounted: or, imputed

7

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

9

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Read Galatians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. The imperative 'know ye' (ginōskete, γινώσκετε) demands recognition of an inescapable conclusion: 'they which are of faith' (hoi ek pisteōs, οἱ ἐκ πίστεως)—literally 'those out of faith,' whose source and origin is faith—these alone are 'sons of Abraham' (huioi Abraam, υἱοὶ Ἀβραάμ). Paul redefines Jewish identity: true Abrahamic sonship is by faith, not ethnicity or circumcision.

The emphatic 'the same' (houtoi, οὗτοι)—'these and these alone'—excludes all others. This is radical redefinition: uncircumcised Gentile believers are the true children of Abraham, while circumcised Jews trusting in Law-works are outside the family. The article hoi (οἱ) makes this a class definition: the faith-people constitute Abraham's seed. Jesus made the same argument against unbelieving Jews (John 8:39-40).

This verse explodes ethnic privilege. Abraham's true children are identified not by genealogy but by faith like his. The Judaizers claimed Gentiles must become Jews (via circumcision) to join Abraham's family; Paul insists the opposite—Jews and Gentiles alike must have Abraham's faith to be his children. Faith, not flesh, defines the people of God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism equated Abrahamic descent with ethnic lineage—circumcision was the covenant sign marking out Abraham's physical children (Genesis 17:9-14). The Judaizers insisted Gentile converts must be circumcised to join the covenant people. Paul's redefinition was revolutionary and offensive to Jewish Christians: spiritual lineage through faith supersedes physical lineage through flesh. Romans 9:6-8 develops this further: 'not all Israel is Israel'—true Israel is defined by faith. This same principle grounds the church as the new covenant people of God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's redefinition of 'children of Abraham' as faith-people rather than ethnic-people transform your understanding of the church?
  2. What modern equivalents of 'ethnic privilege' (church membership, family heritage, denominational identity) might you be trusting in rather than faith alone?
  3. How does verse 7's radical inclusivity (all faith-people are Abraham's children) guard against both legalism and ethnocentrism in the church?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 10 words
Γινώσκετε1 of 10

“Know ye”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ἄρα2 of 10

“therefore”

G686

a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)

ὅτι3 of 10

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οἱ4 of 10
G3588

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

ἐκ5 of 10

“they which are of”

G1537

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

πίστεως6 of 10

“faith”

G4102

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

οὗτοι7 of 10

“the same”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

εἰσιν8 of 10

“are”

G1526

they are

υἱοί9 of 10

“the children”

G5207

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

Ἀβραάμ10 of 10

“of Abraham”

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

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 3:7 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 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 3:9Romans 9:7-8Galatians 3:26-29Romans 4:24Psalms 100:3John 8:39

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