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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 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/48_Gal_02_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 2:19 - Paul Confronts Cephas" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God." /><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/2-19.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/2-19.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/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 19</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="/ad19.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/2-18.htm" title="Galatians 2:18">◄</a> Galatians 2:19 <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm" title="Galatians 2:20">►</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/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. <a href="/nlt/galatians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. <a href="/esv/galatians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. <a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For through the Law I died to the Law that I might live to God. <a href="/kjv/galatians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live for God. <a href="/nasb/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. <a href="/lsb/galatians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. <a href="/amp/galatians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For through the Law I died to the Law and its demands on me [because salvation is provided through the death and resurrection of Christ], so that I might [from now on] live to God. <a href="/csb/galatians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ <a href="/asv/galatians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. <a href="/cev/galatians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> It was the Law itself that killed me and freed me from its power, so I could live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. <a href="/erv/galatians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. <a href="/gwt/galatians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When I tried to obey the law's standards, those laws killed me. As a result, I live in a relationship with God. I have been crucified with Christ. <a href="/gnt/galatians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> So far as the Law is concerned, however, I am dead--killed by the Law itself--in order that I might live for God. I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, <a href="/isv/galatians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> For through the Law I died to the Law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with the Messiah. <a href="/msb/galatians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. <a href="/net/galatians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. <a href="/nheb/galatians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God. <a href="/wbt/galatians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For I through the law am dead to the law, that I may live to God. <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> for it is by the Law that I have died to the Law, in order that I may live to God. <a href="/web/galatians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for I died through law that I may live to God; <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For through the Law I died to the Law that I might live to God. <a href="/ylt/galatians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for I through law, did die, that to God I may live; <a href="/slt/galatians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For I through the law died to the law, that. I might live to God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God: with Christ I am nailed to the cross. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For through the law, I have become dead to the law, so that I may live for God. I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. <a href="/nabre/galatians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For through the law I am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For I by The Written Law have died to The Written Law that I might live unto God.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For, through law, I have died to law, that I might live to God. <a href="/godbey/galatians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For I through law died to law, in, order that I may live unto God. <a href="/haweis/galatians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For I through the law am dead to the law, that I should live unto God. <a href="/mace/galatians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for by one law, I am dead to the other law, that I might live unto God: <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> for it is by the Law that I have died to the Law, in order that I may live to God. <a href="/worrell/galatians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For I through law died to law, that I might live to God. <a href="/worsley/galatians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> that I might live unto God. <a href="/parallel/galatians/2-19.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=393" 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/2.htm">Paul Confronts Cephas</a> …18If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker. 19<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomou (N-GMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">the law</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanon (V-AIA-1S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">died</a> <a href="/greek/3551.htm" title="3551: nomō (N-DMS) -- From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.">to the law</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēsō (V-ASA-1S) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">I might live</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">to God.</a> 20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.…<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="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a> Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. <a href="/romans/6-6.htm">Romans 6:6-7</a> We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. / For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. <a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a> For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20</a> If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a> For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. <a href="/romans/6-11.htm">Romans 6:11</a> So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. <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/7-6.htm">Romans 7:6</a> But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2</a> Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? <a href="/colossians/3-3.htm">Colossians 3:3</a> For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. <a href="/romans/10-4.htm">Romans 10:4</a> For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. <a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a> He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” <a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a> by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace <a href="/hebrews/7-18.htm">Hebrews 7:18-19</a> So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless / (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. <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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live to God.through.<a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10,24</a> For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them… <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19,20</a> Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God… <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a> Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.dead.<a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2,11,14</a> God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4,6,9</a> Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God… <a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20</a> Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,that.<a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.<a href="/romans/14-7.htm">Romans 14:7,8</a> For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself… <a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a> Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-3.htm">Die</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-15.htm">Died</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Order</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/philippians/1-21.htm">Die</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Died</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Law</a> <a href="/galatians/3-14.htm">Order</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 2</div>1. <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">He shows when he went up again to Jerusalem, and for what purpose;</a> 3. <a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">and that Titus was not circumcised;</a> 11. <a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">and that he resisted Peter, and told him the reason;</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/2-14.htm">why he and others, being Jews, believe in Christ to be justified by faith, and not by works;</a> 20. <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">and that they live not in sin, who are so justified.</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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For through the law This phrase indicates the means by which Paul experienced a transformation. The law, given through Moses, was intended to reveal sin and lead people to Christ (<a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Galatians 3:24</a>). Paul, a former Pharisee, understood the law deeply and recognized its role in highlighting human inability to achieve righteousness on their own (<a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-13</a>). The law serves as a mirror, showing the need for a savior.I died to the law Paul's statement of dying to the law signifies a fundamental change in his relationship with it. This death is metaphorical, representing a release from the law's demands and penalties. In <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a>, Paul explains that believers have died to the law through the body of Christ, allowing them to belong to another, namely Christ. This death to the law is necessary for living a new life in the Spirit (<a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a>).so that I might live to God The purpose of dying to the law is to live a life dedicated to God. This new life is characterized by faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a>). Living to God involves a transformation that aligns with the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing love, grace, and obedience to God's will. This concept is echoed in <a href="/romans/6-11.htm">Romans 6:11</a>, where believers are urged to consider themselves alive to God in Christ Jesus.<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, Paul was a former Pharisee who became a follower of Christ. His writings often address the relationship between the Law and faith in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_galatians.htm">The Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, the Galatians were a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia, struggling with the influence of Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a> Refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations. Paul discusses its role and limitations in the life of a believer. 4. <a href="/topical/c/christ's_crucifixion.htm">Christ's Crucifixion</a> The event that Paul alludes to as the means by which believers are freed from the Law, allowing them to live for God. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group within the early church that taught that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish laws, including circumcision, to be true Christians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_purpose_of_the_law.htm">Understanding the Purpose of the Law</a> The Law serves to reveal sin and our need for a Savior. It is not a means to achieve righteousness but a guide that points us to Christ. <a href="/topical/d/dying_to_the_law.htm">Dying to the Law</a> Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are no longer bound by the Law's demands. This death to the Law is a spiritual transformation that allows us to live for God. <a href="/topical/l/living_for_god.htm">Living for God</a> Our new life in Christ is characterized by living in the Spirit, pursuing holiness, and reflecting God's love and grace in our daily actions. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> Embrace the freedom that comes from faith in Christ, which liberates us from legalistic practices and empowers us to live a life pleasing to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith.htm">The Role of Faith</a> Faith in Christ, not adherence to the Law, is the foundation of our relationship with God. This faith leads to a life of obedience and service to Him.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) In the last verse the Apostle had been putting a supposed case, but by a not unnatural process of thought he gradually takes the "I" rather more in earnest, and appeals directly to his own personal experience. The "I" of <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm" title="For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.">Galatians 2:18</a> is really St. Peter or the Judaisers; the "I" of this verse is St. Paul himself. The object of his appeal is to make good his assertion that to restore the dethroned Law to its old position is positively sinful.Once having done with the Law I had done with it for ever. The Law itself had prepared me for this. It was a stage which I could not but pass through, but which was in its very nature temporary. It carried with it the sentence of its own dissolution.For . . .--This assigns the reason for the use of the word "transgressor" in the verse before. It is a transgression to rebuild the demolished fabric of the Law, because the true Christian has done with the Law once for all.Through the law am dead to the law.--In what sense can this be said? The Apostle himself had got rid of his obligations to the Law--not, however, by simply evading them from the first, but by passing through a period of subjection to them. The road to freedom from the Law lay through the Law. The Law, on its prophetic side, pointed to Christ. The Law, on its moral side, held up an ideal to which its votaries could not attain. It did not help them to attain to it. It bore the stamp of its own insufficiency. Men broke its precepts, and its weakness seemed to lead up to a dispensation that should supersede its own. St. Paul would not have become a Christian if he had not first sat at the feet of Gamaliel. If we could trace the whole under-current of silent, and perhaps only half-conscious, preparation, which led to the Apostle's conversion, we should see how large a part was played in it by the sense, gradually wrought in him, of the Law's insufficiency. Thus the negative side was given by his own private meditation; the positive side, faith in Christ, was given by the vision on the road to Damascus.That I might live unto God.--We might not unnaturally expect here "unto Christ," instead of "unto God." But the Christian lives unto Christ in order that he may live unto God. The ultimate object of the Christian scheme is that he may be presented righteous before God. By the Law he could not obtain this righteousness. It is obtained in Christ.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - For I through the Law am dead to the Law (ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου μόμῳ ἀπέθανον,); for I, for my part, through the Law died unto the Law. This ἐγὼ is not the hypothetical "I" of ver. 18, which in fact recites the personality of St. Peter, but is St. Paul himself in his own concrete historical personality. And the pronoun is in a measure antithetical; as if it were: for whatever may be your feeling, mine is this, that I," etc. The conjunction "for" points back to the whole passage (vers. 15-18), which has described the position to which St. Paul had himself been brought and on which he still now, when writing to the Galatians, is standing; he here justifies that description. "Through the Law;" through the Law's own procuring, through what the Law itself did, I was broken off from all connection with the Law. From the words, "I have been crucified with Christ," in the next verse, and from what we read in <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Galatians 3:13</a>, most especially when taken in connection with the occurrences at Antioch which at any rate led to the present utterance, and with the hankering after Judaical ceremonialism in Galatia which occasioned the writing of this letter, we may with confidence draw the conclusion that St. Paul is thinking of the Law in its ceremonial aspect, that is, viewed as determining ceremonial purity and ceremonial pollution. He is here most immediately dealing with the question, whether Jewish believers could freely associate without defilement in God's sight with Gentile believers who according to the Levitical Law were unclean, and could partake of the like food with them. The notion of becoming dead to the Law through the cross of Christ has other aspects besides this, as is evinced by <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Romans 7:1-6</a>; a fact which is indeed glanced at by the apostle even here; but of the several aspects presented by this one and the same many-faced truth, the one which he here more particularly refers to is that which it bore towards the Law as a ceremonial institute. That which the Law as a ceremonial institute did in relation to Christ was this - it pronounced him as crucified to be in the intensest degree ceremonially accursed and polluting; to be most absolutely cherem. But Christ in his death and resurrection-life is appointed by God to be the sinner's only and complete salvation. It follows that he who by faith and sacrament is made one with Christ, does, together with the spiritual life which he draws from Christ, partake also in the pollution and accursedness which the Law fastens upon him; he is by the Law bidden away: he can thenceforth have no connection with it, - the Law itself will have it so. "But (the apostle's feeling is) the Law may curse on as it will: I have life with God and in God nevertheless." This same aspect of the death of Christ as disconnecting believers from the Law viewed as a ceremonial institute, through the pollutedness which the Law attached to most especially that form of death, is referred to in <a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Hebrews 13:10-13</a>. The phrase, "I died unto the Law," is similar to that of "being made dead to the Law" (ἐθανατώθητε τῷ νόμῳ), and being "discharged [or, 'delivered'] from the Law (κατηργήθημεν ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου)," which we have <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4, 6</a>; though the particular aspect of the fact that the cross disconnects believers from the Law is not precisely the same in the two passages, since in the Romans the Law is viewed more in its character as a rule of moral and spiritual life (see <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-23</a>). That I might live unto God (ἵνα Θεῷ ζήσω); that I might become alive unto God. It is not likely that ζήσω is a future indicative, although we have καταδουλώσουσιν after ἵνα in ver. 4, and the form ζήσομεν in <a href="/romans/6-2.htm">Romans 6:2</a>; for the future would most probably have been ζήσομαι, as in <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Galatians 3:11, 12</a>; and <a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17</a>; <a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Romans 8:13</a>; <a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5</a>. It is more likely to be the subjunctive of the aorist ἔζησα, which, according to the now accepted reading of ἔζησεν for ἐνέστη καὶ ἀνέζησεν, we have in <a href="/romans/14-9.htm">Romans 14:9</a>; where, as well as the ζήσωμεν of <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-10.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:10</a>, it means "become alive." In verbs denoting a state of being, the aorist frequently (though not necessarily) means coming into that state, as for example, ἐπτώχευσε, "became poor" (<a href="/2_corinthians/9-9.htm">2 Corinthians 9:9</a>). "Living unto God" here, as in <a href="/romans/6-10.htm">Romans 6:10</a>, does not so much denote any form of moral action towards God as that spiritual state towards him out of which suitable moral action would subsequently flow. The apostle died to the Law, in order that through Christ he might come into that vital union with God in which he might both serve him and find happiness in him; this service to God and joy in God being the "fruit-bearing" in which the "life" is manifested (<a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5, 6</a>). <a href="/commentaries/galatians/2-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. through διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. [the] Law νόμου (nomou) Noun - Genitive 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. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. died ἀπέθανον (apethanon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off. to [the] Law νόμῳ (nomō) Noun - Dative 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. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. I might live ζήσω (zēsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. to God. Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/2-19.htm">Galatians 2:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/2-19.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 2:19 For I through the law died (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/2-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 2:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/2-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 2:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>