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Galatians 3

Gal. 3:21 KJV (With Strong’s)

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21
Is the law
nomos (Greek #3551)
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
KJV usage: law.
Pronounce: nom'-os
Origin: from a primary νέμω (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals)
then
oun (Greek #3767)
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
KJV usage: and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
Pronounce: oon
Origin: apparently a primary word
against
kata (Greek #2596)
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
KJV usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Pronounce: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
s the promises
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
epaggelia (Greek #1860)
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
KJV usage: message, promise.
Pronounce: ep-ang-el-ee'-ah
Origin: from 1861
of God
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
? God forbid
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
ginomai (Greek #1096)
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
KJV usage: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Pronounce: ghin'-om-ahee
Origin: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb
: for
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
if
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
theret had been
didomi (Greek #1325)
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
KJV usage: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
Pronounce: did'-o-mee
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses)
a law
nomos (Greek #3551)
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
KJV usage: law.
Pronounce: nom'-os
Origin: from a primary νέμω (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals)
given
didomi (Greek #1325)
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
KJV usage: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
Pronounce: did'-o-mee
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses)
which
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
could have
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
given life
zoopoieo (Greek #2227)
to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: make alive, give life, quicken.
Pronounce: dzo-op-oy-eh'-o
Origin: from the same as 2226 and 4160
, verily
ontos (Greek #3689)
really
KJV usage: certainly, clean, indeed, of a truth, verily.
Pronounce: on'-toce
Origin: adverb of the oblique cases of 5607
righteousness
an (Greek #302)
a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty
KJV usage: (what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for 1437.
Pronounce: an
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
dikaiosune (Greek #1343)
equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification
KJV usage: righteousness.
Pronounce: dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay
Origin: from 1342
should have been
en (Greek #2258)
I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
KJV usage: + agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
Pronounce: ane
Origin: imperfect of 1510
by
ek (Greek #1537)
or ἐξ (ex) a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote)
KJV usage: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Pronounce: ek
the law
nomos (Greek #3551)
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle)
KJV usage: law.
Pronounce: nom'-os
Origin: from a primary νέμω (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals)
.*
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
s
Matt. 5:17• 17Think not that I am come to make void the law or the prophets; I am not come to make void, but to fulfil. (Matt. 5:17)
t
Gal. 2:21• 21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness is by law, then Christ has died for nothing. (Gal. 2:21)

More on:

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God Forbid,
Law,
Life,
Righteousness

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the law.
Matt. 5:17‑20• 17Think not that I am come to make void the law or the prophets; I am not come to make void, but to fulfil.
 18For verily I say unto you, Until the heaven and the earth pass away, one iota or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all come to pass.
 19Whosoever then shall do away with one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall practise and teach them, *he* shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.
 20For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens. (Matt. 5:17‑20)
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Rom. 3:31• 31Do we then make void law by faith? Far be the thought: no, but we establish law. (Rom. 3:31)
;
Rom. 7:7‑13• 7What shall we say then? is the law sin? Far be the thought. But I had not known sin, unless by law: for I had not had conscience also of lust unless the law had said, Thou shalt not lust;
 8but sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, wrought in me every lust; for without law sin was dead.
 9But *I* was alive without law once; but the commandment having come, sin revived, but *I* died.
 10And the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death:
 11for sin, getting a point of attack by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
 12So that the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
 13Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Rom. 7:7‑13)
God forbid.
Gal. 2:17• 17Now if in seeking to be justified in Christ we also have been found sinners, then is Christ minister of sin? Far be the thought. (Gal. 2:17)
;
Rom. 3:4,6• 4Far be the thought: but let God be true, and every man false; according as it is written, So that thou shouldest be justified in thy words, and shouldest overcome when thou art in judgment.
 6Far be the thought: since how shall God judge the world? (Rom. 3:4,6)
for.
Gal. 2:19,21• 19For *I*, through law, have died to law, that I may live to God.
 21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness is by law, then Christ has died for nothing. (Gal. 2:19,21)
;
Rom. 3:20• 20Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law is knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20)
righteousness.
Rom. 3:21‑22• 21But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;
 22righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference; (Rom. 3:21‑22)
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Rom. 9:31• 31But Israel, pursuing after a law of righteousness, has not attained to that law. (Rom. 9:31)
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Rom. 10:3‑6• 3For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
 4For Christ is the end of law for righteousness to every one that believes.
 5For Moses lays down in writing the righteousness which is of the law, The man who has practised those things shall live by them.
 6But the righteousness of faith speaks thus: Do not say in thine heart, Who shall ascend to the heavens? that is, to bring Christ down; (Rom. 10:3‑6)
;
Phil. 3:6‑9• 6as to zeal, persecuting the assembly; as to righteousness which is in the law, found blameless;
 7but what things were gain to me these I counted, on account of Christ, loss.
 8But surely I count also all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all, and count them to be filth, that I may gain Christ;
 9and that I may be found in him, not having my righteousness, which would be on the principle of law, but that which is by faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God through faith, (Phil. 3:6‑9)
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Heb. 11:7• 7By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Heb. 11:7)
• Man, possessing divine life, would have been righteous in the righteousness that he had accomplished. (“Galatians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The law demanded righteousness, but it gave no life. If it had given life, it would have been possible to obey the law, and righteousness would have been by the law. (“Galatians 3” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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21
Is then the law against the promises of God? Far be the thought. For if a law had been given abled to quicken, then indeed righteousness were on the principle of law;

JND Translation Notes

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d
Or "such as was able to quicken," an emphatic phrase.

W. Kelly Translation

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21
[Is] therefore the law against the promises of God? Let it not be. For if there had been given a law which could quicken, in very truth by law would have been righteousness.