Galatians 3:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The law is not based on faith, for it says the one who does these things shall live by them.
What Does Galatians 3:12 Mean?
Paul draws a sharp line between two principles. The law operates on a different basis than faith: it says, in effect, do these things and you will live by doing them. Its promise is bound to performance.
Faith and law-doing are therefore distinct roads. One rests on trust in God's promise; the other rests on the doer's own works. Paul is not condemning the law as evil but showing that it cannot be the ground of righteousness, because its terms are obedience, and no one obeys perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 3:12
What does Galatians 3:12 mean?
The law is not based on faith, for it says the one who does these things shall live by them.