Bible Strands
Galatians 3:11
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul to the Galatian churches, mid-argument against those insisting on law-observance for standing before God. He is setting the two principles—law and faith—against each other across verses 10–12.
The words — δικαιοῦται (dikaioutai), "is justified," is a present passive: the subject receives the verdict, it does not produce it. The passive voice places the action entirely on God's side of the ledger.
The thread — The citation is Habakkuk 2:4; Paul reuses it in Romans 1:17, and Hebrews 10:38 quotes it with the added warning about shrinking back. The counter-principle in v. 12 ("the man who does these things will live by them") is Leviticus 18:5.
Why it lands — It removes the reader from the act of earning acceptance; justification is a verdict received, not a performance achieved. "By faith" names the means of reception, not a meritorious quality in the receiver.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Cross-references
- Habakkuk 2:4 Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
- Romans 1:17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
- Psalms 130:3 If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?
- Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
- Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
- Job 42:6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”
- Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
- Psalms 19:12 Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.