What does Galatians 3:12 mean?

Explanation

Galatians 3:12 states, "And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." This verse contrasts the principles of law and faith.

The first part, "the law is not of faith," suggests that the adherence to the law as a means of justification before God is fundamentally different from the justification that comes through faith.

The law requires doing, action, and observance of rules and rituals.

The second part, "The man that doeth them shall live in them," is a reference to Leviticus 18:5 and indicates that life promised through the law requires perfect obedience to the law's commands, which Paul argues is not attainable.

Historical Context

Galatians was written by Paul to the churches in Galatia, a region in modern-day Turkey.

It's considered that it was composed around A.D. 50s when Judaizers (early Christian converts from Judaism) were compelling Gentile converts to Christianity to obey the Jewish law.

Paul wrote this letter to assert that faith in Jesus Christ, not law-keeping, was the means of salvation and to defend the gospel from the corruption by legalistic practices.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse represents a critical aspect of Pauline doctrine – the antithesis between law and faith.

The primary view is that Paul uses this verse to emphasize the insufficiency of the law for salvation.

Since no one can perfectly keep the law, it cannot be the basis for justification.

Only faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law, can provide a path to righteousness.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied in daily life to remind individuals that striving for perfection or attempting to earn favor with God through good deeds (legalism) is not the path to spiritual fulfillment or salvation.

It encourages the believer to rely on faith in Christ for salvation and to live a life inspired by faith, rather than one bound by the strict observance of rules in an attempt to earn salvation.

Cross-References

• Romans 3:20: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
• Galatians 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
• Leviticus 18:5: "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD."

Language Study

Key words for language study in Galatians 3:12 include:

• "Law" (Greek: νόμος, nomos): Referring to the Mosaic Law or Torah.
• "Faith" (Greek: πίστις, pistis): Meaning faith, belief, trust, confidence; here, particularly in Jesus Christ.
• "Live" (Greek: ζήσεται, zēsetai): A future tense of the verb "to live," implying the promise of life associated with action.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing to other religious systems, many ancient mythologies and religions emphasized a works-based approach to appeasing gods or earning favor, similar to the adherence to the Jewish law.

Unlike these systems, Paul's message in Galatians emphasized faith as the differentiating factor in Christianity, setting it apart from both contemporary pagan religions and Judaism.

Scientific Perspectives

Galatians 3:12 does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings as it addresses theological and faith-based issues. Scientific methodology is based on empirical evidence and reproducibility, which are not applicable to the beliefs and faith practices discussed in this verse.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer insights into Galatians 3:12.

Some emphasize the challenge posed by the Judaizers and their influence on early Christian communities. Others focus on the verse as a repudiation of the view that righteousness could be earned through the law.

It is also seen as a pillar in the development of the doctrine of sola fide, meaning "faith alone," which became a foundational concept in Protestantism during the Reformation.

Commentators assert that Paul's intent was to free believers from the burdensome obligation of the law and to demonstrate that the promise given to Abraham was through faith, pre-dating the law and remaining valid through Christ.