Galatians 3:21 “Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For i…”

Galatians 3:21

Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

Is the Lawe then against the promises of God? God forbid: For if there had bene a Lawe giuen which coulde haue giuen life, surely righteousnes should haue bene by the Lawe.

Darby Translation

[Is] then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given able to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law;

Young's Literal Translation

the law, then, [is] against the promises of God? — let it not be! for if a law was given that was able to make alive, truly by law there would have been the righteousness,

Bible in Basic English

Is the law then against the words of God? in no way; because if there had been a law which was able to give life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.

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Cross references

“the law”

Romans 3:31 Romans 7:7–13 Matthew 5:17–20

Romans 3:31 · BSB

Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.

Romans 7:7–13 · BSB

What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

Matthew 5:17–20 · BSB

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

“God forbid”

Galatians 2:17 Romans 3:4 Romans 3:6

Galatians 2:17 · BSB

But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not!

Romans 3:4 · BSB

Certainly not! Let God be true and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that You may be proved right when You speak and victorious when You judge.”

Romans 3:6 · BSB

Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

“for”

Galatians 2:21 Galatians 2:19 Romans 3:20

Galatians 2:21 · BSB

I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Galatians 2:19 · BSB

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.

Romans 3:20 · BSB

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

“righteousness”

Romans 9:31 Romans 10:3–6 Philippians 3:6–9 Hebrews 11:7 Romans 3:21 Romans 3:22

Romans 9:31 · BSB

but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.

Romans 10:3–6 · BSB

Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

Philippians 3:6–9 · BSB

as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

Hebrews 11:7 · BSB

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Romans 3:21 · BSB

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 3:22 · BSB

And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

Read Galatians 3