Galatians 3:12 - The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” Leviticus 18:5
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What does "Galatians 3:12" mean?
This verse in Galatians 3:12 is a key part of Paul's argument that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the Law of Moses. To understand it, we need to break it down:
"The law is not of faith...": Paul is contrasting the principle of law with the principle of faith. He's saying that the way the law operates is fundamentally different from the way faith operates. The law is about doing things to earn favor, whereas faith is about trusting in something already done.
"...but, 'The man who does them will live by them.'": This quotes Leviticus 18:5, which states, "You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord." This verse from Leviticus speaks to the idea that obedience to God's commands brings life and blessing.
In the context of Leviticus: This verse was a promise to the Israelites that if they followed God's laws, they would prosper and have a long, blessed life in the land He was giving them.
Paul's use in Galatians: Paul uses this verse to highlight the principle behind the law: that righteousness (being right with God) and life are earned through perfect obedience. He's not necessarily denying the historical context of Leviticus, but he's extracting a theological truth from it.
What Paul Means by Contrasting Law and Faith
Paul's point is that no one can perfectly keep the law. The law sets a standard of perfect obedience, and since all humans are sinners, all fall short. Therefore, trying to be justified (declared righteous) before God by the law is ultimately futile.
Instead, Paul argues that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, fulfilling the law on our behalf, and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. When we trust in Him, His righteousness is credited to us, and we are declared righteous in God's sight.
In Summary, Galatians 3:12 means:
The principle of law is based on works – you must do things to earn life and righteousness.
Leviticus 18:5 summarizes this principle: Obedience leads to life.
However, because no one can perfectly obey the law, relying on it for salvation is impossible.
Paul is contrasting this to the principle of faith, where righteousness and life are received as a gift through trusting in Jesus Christ and what He has done.
Therefore, the law is not based on faith, but on works.
This verse is part of Paul's broader argument that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through adherence to the law.
Galatians 3:12 - The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” Leviticus 18:5
What does "Galatians 3:12" mean?
This verse in Galatians 3:12 is a key part of Paul's argument that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the Law of Moses. To understand it, we need to break it down:
"The law is not of faith...": Paul is contrasting the principle of law with the principle of faith. He's saying that the way the law operates is fundamentally different from the way faith operates. The law is about doing things to earn favor, whereas faith is about trusting in something already done.
"...but, 'The man who does them will live by them.'": This quotes Leviticus 18:5, which states, "You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord." This verse from Leviticus speaks to the idea that obedience to God's commands brings life and blessing.
In the context of Leviticus: This verse was a promise to the Israelites that if they followed God's laws, they would prosper and have a long, blessed life in the land He was giving them.
Paul's use in Galatians: Paul uses this verse to highlight the principle behind the law: that righteousness (being right with God) and life are earned through perfect obedience. He's not necessarily denying the historical context of Leviticus, but he's extracting a theological truth from it.
What Paul Means by Contrasting Law and Faith
Paul's point is that no one can perfectly keep the law. The law sets a standard of perfect obedience, and since all humans are sinners, all fall short. Therefore, trying to be justified (declared righteous) before God by the law is ultimately futile.
Instead, Paul argues that justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, fulfilling the law on our behalf, and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. When we trust in Him, His righteousness is credited to us, and we are declared righteous in God's sight.
In Summary, Galatians 3:12 means:
The principle of law is based on works – you must do things to earn life and righteousness.
Leviticus 18:5 summarizes this principle: Obedience leads to life.
However, because no one can perfectly obey the law, relying on it for salvation is impossible.
Paul is contrasting this to the principle of faith, where righteousness and life are received as a gift through trusting in Jesus Christ and what He has done.
Therefore, the law is not based on faith, but on works.
This verse is part of Paul's broader argument that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned through adherence to the law.