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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 3:12 The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/3-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/48_Gal_03_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 3:12 - Christ Redeemed Us" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, The man who does these things will live by them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/3-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/3-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/3-11.htm" title="Galatians 3:11">◄</a> Galatians 3:12 <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm" title="Galatians 3:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/3.htm">New International Version</a> The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, &#8220The person who does these things will live by them.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/galatians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.” <a href="/esv/galatians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” <a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” <a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the Law is not of faith. Rather, "The one having done these things will live by them." <a href="/kjv/galatians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” <a href="/nasb_/galatians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “THE PERSON WHO PERFORMS THEM WILL LIVE BY THEM.” <a href="/nasb/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, &#8220HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/galatians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” <a href="/lsb/galatians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> However, the Law is not of faith; rather, “HE WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” <a href="/amp/galatians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the Law does not rest on or require faith [it has nothing to do with faith], but [instead, the Law] says, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM [the things prescribed by the Law] SHALL LIVE BY THEM [instead of faith].” <a href="/csb/galatians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But the law is not based on faith; instead, the one who does these things will live by them. <a href="/asv/galatians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. <a href="/cev/galatians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Law isn't based on faith. It promises life only to people who obey its commands. <a href="/erv/galatians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. <a href="/gwt/galatians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Laws have nothing to do with faith, but, "Whoever obeys laws will live because of the laws he obeys." <a href="/gnt/galatians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, as the scripture says, "Whoever does everything the Law requires will live." <a href="/isv/galatians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> But the Law has nothing to do with faith. Instead, "The person who keeps the commandments will have life in them." <a href="/msb/galatians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, ?The man who does these things will live by them.? <a href="/net/galatians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them. <a href="/nheb/galatians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The law is not of faith, but, "The one who does them will live by them." <a href="/wbt/galatians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live by them. <a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that "he who does these things shall live by doing them." <a href="/web/galatians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the Law is not by faith, rather, “The man who did them will live in them.” <a href="/blb/galatians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the Law is not of faith. Rather, "The one having done these things will live by them." <a href="/ylt/galatians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the law is not by faith, but -- 'The man who did them shall live in them.' <a href="/slt/galatians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the law is not of faith: but, The man having done them shall live in them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But the law is not of faith: but, He that doth those things, shall live in them. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the law is not of faith; instead, “he who does these things shall live by them.” <a href="/nabre/galatians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> But the law does not depend on faith; rather, “the one who does these things will live by them.” <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Thus the law is not made by faith, but, Whosoever shall do the things which are written in it shall live in it. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But The Written Law was not from faith, but, “Whoever shall do those things that are written in it shall live in them.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> The law, indeed, is not of faith; but he that does these things shall live by them. <a href="/godbey/galatians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> though the law is not of faith; but the one having done these things shall live in them. <a href="/haweis/galatians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now the law is not by faith: but ?The man that doeth these things shall live by them.?<RX 3.18.5> <a href="/mace/galatians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> now the law does not justify by FAITH, but says, "he that DOES these things shall live by them." <a href="/wey/galatians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that "he who does these things shall live by doing them." <a href="/worrell/galatians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now the law is not of faith; but "He who did them shall live in them." <a href="/worsley/galatians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> now the law is not of faith, but saith, "The man that doth them, shall live in them." <a href="/parallel/galatians/3-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=520" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/3.htm">Christ Redeemed Us</a> …11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12<a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomos (N-NMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">law,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">however,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">based</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pisteōs (N-GFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">on faith;</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">on the contrary,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“The man who</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsas (V-APA-NMS) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">does</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auta (PPro-AN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">these things</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēsetai (V-FIM-3S) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">will live</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them.”</a> 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a> Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD. <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a> For concerning the righteousness that is by the law, Moses writes: “The man who does these things will live by them.” <a href="/deuteronomy/27-26.htm">Deuteronomy 27:26</a> ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ <a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11</a> And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them. <a href="/ezekiel/20-13.htm">Ezekiel 20:13</a> Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. <a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Ezekiel 20:21</a> But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness. <a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Nehemiah 9:29</a> You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey. <a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Romans 4:4-5</a> Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. / However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. <a href="/romans/7-10.htm">Romans 7:10</a> So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death. <a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a> Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a> and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3-4</a> For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. <a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1</a> For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. <a href="/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31-32</a> but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the law is not of faith: but, The man that does them shall live in them.the law.<a href="/romans/4-4.htm">Romans 4:4,5,14,16</a> Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt… <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Romans 9:30-32</a> What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith… <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5,6</a> For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them… The man.<a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a> Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.<a href="/nehemiah/9-29.htm">Nehemiah 9:29</a> And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.<a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Ezekiel 20:11,13</a> And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-1.htm">Based</a> <a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-6.htm">However</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Law</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-2.htm">Practices</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Principle</a> <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-13.htm">Teaches</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Based</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Contrary</a> <a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/galatians/3-20.htm">However</a> <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Practices</a> <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Principle</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Teaches</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 3</div>1. <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">He asks what moved them to leave the faith, and hold onto the law.</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Those who believe are justified,</a> 9. <a href="/galatians/3-9.htm">and blessed with Abraham.</a> 10. <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">And this he shows by many reasons.</a> 15. <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">The purpose of the Law</a> 26. <a href="/galatians/3-26.htm">You are sons of God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The law, however, is not based on faith; The Apostle Paul contrasts the law with faith, emphasizing that the law operates on a principle of works rather than belief. In the context of Galatians, Paul addresses the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to the Mosaic Law. Historically, the law was given to Israel at Mount Sinai and served as a covenant that required strict adherence to its commandments. This phrase highlights the fundamental difference between the Old Covenant, which was based on obedience to the law, and the New Covenant, which is based on faith in Jesus Christ. The law's purpose was to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a> and <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>.on the contrary, This phrase introduces a contrast between the law and the principle of faith. Paul uses this to emphasize that the two are mutually exclusive as means of justification. The historical context of the early church involved a struggle to understand the role of the law in light of Christ's fulfillment of it. The contrast here is not to denigrate the law but to clarify that it cannot provide the life and righteousness that faith in Christ offers.“The man who does these things will live by them.” This quotation is from <a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a>, where God tells the Israelites that obedience to His statutes and judgments will result in life. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, life was understood as both physical well-being and spiritual blessing. Paul uses this Old Testament reference to illustrate that the law demands perfect obedience for one to attain life through it. However, since all have sinned (<a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>), no one can achieve righteousness through the law alone. This points to the necessity of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>) and offers life through faith. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of salvation history, where the law serves as a tutor leading to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in Galatia about the role of the Law and faith in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a> A region in modern-day Turkey where the recipients of the letter resided. The churches here were struggling with the influence of Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mosaic_law.htm">Mosaic Law</a> The body of laws given to Israel through Moses, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group of Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile converts must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be saved. 5. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_christ.htm">Faith in Christ</a> The central theme of Paul's message, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the Law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_the_law.htm">The Nature of the Law</a> The Law is not based on faith but on works. It demands perfect obedience, which is impossible for fallen humanity. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a> Faith in Christ is the means by which we receive righteousness. Unlike the Law, faith does not rely on human effort but on trust in God's promise. <a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_the_law.htm">The Purpose of the Law</a> The Law serves to reveal sin and our need for a Savior. It points us to Christ, who fulfilled the Law on our behalf. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith.htm">Living by Faith</a> As believers, we are called to live by faith, trusting in Christ's finished work rather than our ability to keep the Law. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> Understanding the distinction between Law and faith frees us from legalism and empowers us to live in the grace of God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 3</a> <a href="/q/why_does_paul_prioritize_faith_over_teachings.htm">Why does Paul focus on faith over Jesus' actual teachings?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_faith_in_christ_free_us.htm">How does faith in Christ free us from the law?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_sons_of_disobedience.htm">Will your words justify you?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_philippians_3_7-8_align_with_valuing_good_works.htm">How can Paul's view of all his achievements as 'loss' in Philippians 3:7-8 be reconciled with other Bible passages that stress the value of good works and moral responsibility?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) The law is not of faith.--The ruling principle of the Law is not faith, but something else--works.The man that doeth them.--By "them" is meant the "statutes" and "judgments" mentioned immediately before in the verse (<a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm" title="You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 18:5</a>) from which the quotation is taken. Just as the stress was upon "faith" in the last verse, so here it falls on the word "doeth:" it is a matter of works.Shall live.--The idea of life receives an enlargement, corresponding to the fuller revelation of immortality in the New Testament as compared with the Old. In the Old Testament, "life is an existence upon earth, shortened by no judgment, reposing upon God, and delighting itself in God." On the other hand, "death is the sudden and dreadful end, the destruction of this existence through a judgment of some special kind" (Schultz, Theology of the Old Testament, 2:163). Such a judgment would be the Chaldean invasion; and when the prophet Habakkuk says that the "just shall live," he means that he should be saved from this calamity, and still continue to enjoy the divine favour and protection. The promise in Leviticus declares that he who keeps the Law shall be preserved from all judgments of this kind. With St. Paul, as in the Old Testament, the root idea is that of drawing support and sustenance from God; but with him this is not confined to the present life, or extended beyond the grave only in some dim and shadowy way: it begins in time and stretches on into eternity.In them.--His life shall spring out of them and be nourished by them, just as a tree strikes its roots into the earth.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - And the Law is not of faith (ὁ δὲ νόμος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ πίστεως); but the Law is not "by faith." This is closely connected with the latter part of the preceding verse, as forming another portion of the proof which is there introduced by "for." Ver. 11 should end with a semicolon, not with a full stop. The δὲ at the beginning of this verse is slightly adversative, setting "the Law" in contrast with the notion of "living by or from faith." These words, "by or from faith" (ἐκ πίστεως), are borrowed from the preceding citation. We may paraphrase thus: The Law does not put forward as its characteristic principle, "by faith;" the characteristic principle of the Law is rather that which we read in the third book of Moses (Leviticus 18:5)," The man who hath actually done them shall live by them." But, The man that doeth them shall live in them (ἀλλ Ὁ ποιήσασ αὐτὰ [ἄνθρωπος] ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς: (the word ἄνθρωπος is omitted by the recent editors, as having crept into the text from the Septuagint); but, He that doeth them shall live in them. The whole verse (<a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5</a>) in the Authorized Version, following the Hebrew, stands thus: "And ye shall keep my statutes and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord." The Septuagint runs thus: "And ye shall keep [or, 'and keep ye'] all my statutes and all my judgments, and ye shall do them [or, 'and do ye them']: the man that doeth them shall live in them (ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ἄνθρωπος ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς) I am the Lord your God." It thus appears that the pronoun "them" recites "my statutes and my judgments." But this the apostle is not at present particularly concerned to specify; his main point here is that the Law requires such and such things to be actually done, before it holds out the prospect of life to be gained thereby. Those under the Law were bound to render strict obedience to all its requirements, whether moral or ceremonial; and whosoever set aside any of whichever class was constituted by the Law a "transgressor" and a man "accursed." As it stands in the passage of Leviticus referred to, the clause which is cited bears not so much the aspect of a promise as of a restrictive statement implying a threatening or warning, and is therefore its harmony with the commination quoted in ver. 10. The "doing" here spoken of differs essentially from evangelical obedience. Comprising as it did its very large proportion the observance of the ceremonial prescriptions (προστάγματα) of the Law, it points to a course of conduct in which a man, striving to earn pardon and acceptance by a meritorious life, had continually to be turning his eye, slavishly and under fear of the "curse" in case of failure, towards an external Law, whose detail of positive enactments, in addition to the regulation of his moral conduct and inward spirit, he was bound with scrupulous exactness to copy in his life. The spiritual obedience of "faith," on the other hand, evolves itself (in the apostle's view) freely and spontaneously from the inward teaching and prompting of God's Spirit, of which it is the natural product or "fruit" (ch. Galatians 5:22). Such are these two forms of religious life when viewed each in its idea. When, however, we compare the spiritual state of many even sincere believers in Christ, so far as we can estimate it, with the spiritual state of (say) the marvellous author of <a href="/psalms/119.htm">Psalm 119</a>. or of David and other pious Israelites, as disclosed in the exercises of pious feeling garnered in that same devotional book, we cannot fail to perceive that an Israelite under the Law might yet be not "of the works of the Law," but in no small degree qualified to teach the Christian believer himself, even in the life which is "of faith." "Shall live in them;" that is, shall find in them a fountain, as it were, of life. The Targums, Bishop Lightfoot observes, define the meaning of "living" by "life eternal." <a href="/commentaries/galatians/3-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>The ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Law, νόμος (nomos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3551.htm">Strong's 3551: </a> From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively. however, δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. is ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. based ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. on faith; πίστεως (pisteōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. on the contrary, ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. “The [man who] Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. does ποιήσας (poiēsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. these things αὐτὰ (auta) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. will live ζήσεται (zēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. them.” αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/3-12.htm">Galatians 3:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/3-12.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 3:12 The law is not of faith (Gal. 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