Galatians 3:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Is the law against God's promises? Not at all; but no law could give the life that brings righteousness.
What Does Galatians 3:21 Mean?
Paul guards against a wrong conclusion. The law is not opposed to God's promises, as if heaven were divided against itself. Both came from God and serve his purpose. He will not pit the law against the promise.
Yet he states the law's limit honestly: if any law could have given life, then righteousness would indeed come that way. But none can. The law can command and condemn, but it cannot make alive. Life and righteousness must come from another source — from the promise fulfilled in Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 3:21
What does Galatians 3:21 mean?
Is the law against God's promises? Not at all; but no law could give the life that brings righteousness.