Bible Strands
Galatians 3:22
But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul is mid-argument with the Galatian believers, who are being pressed to add circumcision to their faith in Christ. He has just shown (v. 21) that the law cannot impart life, and now states the purpose behind God's confinement of all under sin.
The words — συνέκλεισεν (sunekleisen) is the verb that drives the verse: "imprisoned," a single, forceful act of locking up. The prepositional phrase ὑπὸ ἁμαρτίαν (hypo hamartian) reads literally "under sin," placing all persons beneath its authority.
The thread — Romans 11:32 mirrors the structure: God "consigned everyone to disobedience" so that mercy might reach all. Hebrews 9:15 identifies Christ as the mediator who releases those called to the promised inheritance.
Why it lands — The verse forecloses any claim to a superior standing before God; if all are imprisoned under sin, the only door out is faith in Jesus Christ. It asks the reader to stop negotiating terms of entry.
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 the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Cross-references
- Romans 11:32 For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
- Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
- John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.
- Galatians 3:23 Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
- 1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
- Romans 3:9 What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.
- Romans 5:20 The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
- 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.
- Psalms 143:2 Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.