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.

GALATIANS 3:21KJV
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Galatians 3:21 (KJV)

What does Galatians 3:21 mean?

Galatians 3:21 says that God’s law and God’s promises are not enemies, even though the law cannot give life. Paul explains that being counted right before God would have come through the law if the law had been able to give life.

Paul poses a question that might arise from his comparison of the law and the promises. His answer, “God forbid,” is a strong rejection of the idea that they are opposed. He then gives a reason for his answer using an imagined situation: a law capable of giving life.

The Greek behind Galatians 3:21

  • “God forbid” — μὴ γένοιτο (mē genoito): This phrase carries the sense of “may it never be.” The KJV uses “God forbid” to express Paul’s strong rejection of the suggestion in his question.
  • “give life” — ζωοποιέω (zōopoieō): This word means to make alive or give life. Paul uses it to describe the power a law would need to have for righteousness to come through that law.
  • “righteousness” — δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē): This word can refer to being right or being counted as right. Here Paul connects that standing with the imagined law’s ability to give life.

Why Galatians 3:21 matters

  • Paul’s question distinguishes opposition from a difference in function. His emphatic “God forbid” rejects the idea that the law stands against God’s promises.
  • The statement about righteousness is conditional. The words “if there had been a law” introduce an imagined case, helping readers follow Paul’s reasoning rather than mistake the final clause for a statement that righteousness actually came through the law.
  • The following verses develop the contrast. Galatians 3:22 points to the promise being given through faith in Jesus Christ, while verses 23–24 describe the law’s role before faith came.

Where else these words appear

“verily” Greek G3689 · used in 10 verses

  • Mark 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
  • John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
  • 1 Timothy 5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

“life” Greek G2227 · used in 11 verses

  • John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
  • Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

“promises” Greek G1860 · used in 51 verses

  • Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
  • Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
  • Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

“righteousness” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;