Galatians 3:26

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 3:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For ye are all the children of God, etc..] Not by nature, as Christ is the Son of God, for he is the only begotten of the Father, and in such sense as neither angels nor men are the sons of God; nor by creation, as Adam and all mankind, and the angels are; but by divine adoption by an act of God's rich and sovereign grace, putting them among the children in saying this the apostle directs himself to the Gentiles for their comfort, and says this of them all in a judgment of charity, they being under a profession of faith; lest they should think, because they were not Abraham's seed according to the flesh, nor were ever trained up under the law as a schoolmaster, that they were not the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“children--Greek, "sons." by--Greek, "through faith." "Ye all" (Jews and Gentiles alike) are no longer "children" requiring a tutor, but SONS emancipated and walking at liberty.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For ye are all the children of God ... - All who bear the Christian name - the converts from among the Jews and Gentiles alike; see the note at John 1:12. The idea here is, that they are no longer under tutors and governors; they are no longer subject to the direction and will of the “paedagogus”; they are arrived at age, and are admitted to the privileges of sons; see the note at Galatians 4:1. The language here is derived from the fact, that until the son arrived at age, he was in many respects not different from a servant. He was under laws and restraints; and subject to the will of another. When of age, he entered on the privileges of heirship, and was free to act for himself. Thus,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For ye - Christians. Are all adult sons of God - And so need a schoolmaster no longer. Galatians 3:27”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:26-29 Because of Christ, our condition under faith contrasts with our condition under the law (3:23-24). 3:26 Those who are children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (see also 4:4-7; John 1:12; Rom 9:8) have come of age as heirs of his promises (see Gal 3:24-25, 29) and have received the down payment of that inheritance (3:14; Eph 1:14). The Galatians were foolish (Gal 3:1) in trying to gain access to God through circumcision. As God’s children by faith, they already had the best possible access to God.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gal 4:5, Gal 4:6; Joh 1:12, Joh 1:13, Joh 20:17; Rom 8:14-17; Co2 6:18; Eph 1:5, Eph 5:1; Phi 2:15; Heb 2:10-15; Jo1 3:1, Jo1 3:2; Rev 21:7 Galatians 3:27”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification