Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

Generated Verse: Galatians 2:20

What does "Galatians 2:20" mean?


Galatians 2:20 is a powerful and often quoted verse that gets to the heart of Christian faith. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"I have been crucified with Christ..." This isn't talking about literal crucifixion. It refers to a spiritual death. When we accept Christ, our old self, the one dominated by sin and self-centeredness, is considered to be "crucified" or put to death with Christ on the cross. This doesn't mean we are perfect and never sin, but that the power of sin no longer has dominion over us. We are no longer defined by our old, sinful nature.

"...and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me." This is the key part. With the old self "dead," the believer's life is now empowered and directed by Christ. It's not about suppressing our personality but about aligning our will with God's and allowing the Holy Spirit, Christ's presence, to guide our thoughts, actions, and desires. It's a life transformed by the indwelling presence of Christ.

"That life which I now live in the flesh..." This acknowledges that the believer is still living in a physical body, subject to earthly limitations and temptations. It's not a disembodied, ethereal existence.

"...I live by faith in the Son of God..." The source of strength and guidance in this new life isn't self-reliance or willpower. It's faith – a confident trust and dependence – in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This faith is an active reliance on His grace, love, and power.

"...who loved me, and gave himself up for me." This highlights the personal and profound nature of Christ's sacrifice. It emphasizes that Christ's love wasn't a general, impersonal love, but a specific love for each individual. He willingly gave His life as a ransom for our sins, demonstrating the depth of His love and commitment to our salvation.

In essence, Galatians 2:20 describes a radical transformation where:

The believer identifies with Christ's death and resurrection.
The old, sinful nature is rendered powerless.
Christ takes up residence within the believer, empowering and directing their life.
The believer lives in dependence on Christ's love and grace.

This verse speaks to a life of yieldedness, dependence, and transformation, where Christ's love and power are the driving force. It is a call to live a life that reflects Christ's character and purpose in the world.