But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

GALATIANS 3:11KJV
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Galatians 3:11 (KJV)

What does Galatians 3:11 mean?

Galatians 3:11 says that no one is made right with God by following the law; instead, it is clear that those who are righteous live by faith. The verse points out that being accepted by God does not come from obeying rules, but from trusting Him.

Paul, the writer, is explaining to the Galatian Christians that the law (the commands given in the Old Testament) cannot make a person justified, or declared righteous, before God. Paul is addressing people who were being pressured to follow Jewish laws to be part of God’s family, and he uses this verse to show that faith, not law-keeping, is what truly matters for a relationship with God.

The Greek behind Galatians 3:11

  • δικαιόω (dikaioō, "justified"): This word means to be declared righteous or made right with God. Paul uses it to stress that this status does not come from the law.
  • νόμος (nomos, "law"): This refers to the Jewish law, especially the commands given through Moses. Paul highlights that the law is not the way to be justified.
  • πίστις (pistis, "faith"): This word means trust or belief. Paul quotes, "The just shall live by faith," emphasizing that faith is the key to life with God, not rule-keeping.
  • δῆλος (dēlos, "evident"): This word means clear or obvious. Paul is saying that it is obvious from Scripture that justification comes by faith.

Why Galatians 3:11 matters

  • Galatians 3:11 clears up the misunderstanding that following religious rules is enough to be accepted by God, making it clear that faith is essential.
  • The verse connects to the larger argument Paul is making in Galatians, showing that the promise of life with God has always depended on faith, not law.
  • This verse helps explain why Christians are not required to follow all the Old Testament laws to be part of God’s people, focusing instead on trust in God.

Where else these words appear

“evident” Greek G1212 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
  • 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

“justified” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
  • 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

“just” Greek G1342 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
  • Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

“live” Greek G2198 · used in 127 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.