Galatians 3:11

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 3:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
Galatians 3:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But that no man is justified, etc..] There are some that are justified, as all God's elect are, in his own mind and will from eternity; which will of his to justify them, upon the righteousness of his Son, undertook by him to bring in, is their justification in the court of heaven; and all that believe in Christ are openly and manifestly justified in the court of conscience, under the testimony of the Spirit of God: but no one is justified by the law; it is in the Greek text, “in the law”; there were many justified before the law was given, as Noah, Job, Abraham, and all the Ante-Mosaic believers; and there were many justified “in”, or under the legal dispensation; but none of them were…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“by the law--Greek, "IN the law." Both in and by are included. The syllogism in this verse and Gal 3:12, is, according to Scripture, "The just shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, but of doing, or works (that is, does not make faith, but works, the conditional ground of justifying). Therefore "in," or "by the law, no man is justified before God" (whatever the case may be before men, Rom 4:2) --not even if he could, which he cannot, keep the law, because the Scripture element and conditional mean of justification is faith. The just shall live by faith-- (Rom 1:17; Hab 2:4). Not as BENGEL and ALFORD, "He who is just by faith shall live." The Greek supports English Version. Also…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But that no man is justified ... - The argument which Paul has been pursuing he proceeds to confirm by an express declaration of the Bible. The argument is this: “It is impossible that a man should be justified by the Law, because God has appointed another way of justification.” But there cannot be two ways of obtaining life, and as he has appointed faith as the condition on which people shall live, he has precluded from them the possibility of obtaining salvation in any other mode. For, The just shall live by faith - This is quoted from Habakkuk 2:4. This passage is also quoted by Paul in Romans 1:17; see it explained in the note on that verse. The sense here is, that life is promised to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But that none is justified by his obedience to the law in the sight of God - Whatever may be done in the sight of man, is farther evident from the words of Habakkuk, The just shall live by faith - That is, the man who is accounted just or righteous before God, shall continue in a state of acceptance, life, and salvation, by faith. This is the way God hath chosen. Hab 2:4. Galatians 3:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:11 So it is clear from Scripture, even if it was not clear to the Galatians or the false teachers who were insisting on circumcision for Gentile believers. • “It is through faith that a righteous person has life”: Paul quotes Hab 2:4, in which the prophet was waiting in faith for God’s promise to be fulfilled.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Gal 2:16; Kg1 8:46; Job 9:3, Job 40:4, Job 42:6; Psa 19:12, Psa 130:3, Psa 130:4, Psa 143:2; Ecc 7:20; Isa 6:5, Isa 53:6, Isa 64:6; Jam 3:2; Jo1 1:8-10; Rev 5:9, Rev 7:14, Rev 7:15 The just: Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Heb 10:38 Galatians 3:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification