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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 ye not that I came to destroy the law and the prophets; I came not to destroy 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 died gratuitously. (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 ye not that I came to destroy the law and the prophets; I came not to destroy but to fulfil.
 18For verily I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass, one iota or one point shall in no wise pass from the law till all things come to pass.
 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall do and teach [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.
 20For I say to you that, except 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)
;
Rom. 3:31• 31Do we then make void law through faith? Let it not be: nay, we establish law. (Rom. 3:31)
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Rom. 7:7‑13• 7What then shall we say? [Is] the law sin? Let it not be. Nay, I had not known sin unless by law; for lust also I had not been conscious of, unless the law had said, “Thou shalt not lust.”
 8But sin having taken occasion by the commandment wrought in me every lust; for apart from law sin is dead.
 9But I was alive apart from law once; but, the commandment having come, sin revived and I died,
 10and the commandment that [was] unto life, this was found to me unto death.
 11For sin having taken a point of attack by the commandment deceived me and by it slew [me].
 12So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
 13Did then the good become death to me? Let it not be; but sin, that it might appear sin, working out death to me by the good, that sin might become excessively sinful by the commandment. (Rom. 7:7‑13)
God forbid.
Gal. 2:17• 17But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, ourselves also were found sinners, then is Christ minister of sin. Let it not be. (Gal. 2:17)
;
Rom. 3:4,6• 4Let it not be, but let God be true and every man false, even as it is written, “That thou mightest be justified in thy words, and overcome when thou art judged.”
 6Let it not be: since how shall God judge the world? (Rom. 3:4,6)
for.
Gal. 2:19,21• 19For I, by law, 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 died gratuitously. (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 apart from law God's righteousness is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets,
 22even God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe. For there is no difference; (Rom. 3:21‑22)
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Rom. 9:31• 31but Israel following after a law of righteousness attained not unto a law of righteousness. (Rom. 9:31)
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Rom. 10:3‑6• 3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own [righteousness], they have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
 4For Christ [is the] end of law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.
 5For Moses describeth the righteousness that [is] by the law, that the man who hath done those things shall live by them.
 6But the righteousness that [is] by faith thus speaketh, “Say not in thine heart, 'Who shall go up into heaven?' that is, to bring Christ down;” (Rom. 10:3‑6)
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Phil. 3:6‑9• 6according to zeal persecuting the church, according to righteousness that [is] in law blameless.
 7But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss on account of Christ.
 8But moreover also I count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on whose account I lost all things and count them to be refuse that I may win Christ,
 9and be found in him, not having my righteousness that [is] of law, but that [which is] by faith of Christ, the righteousness of God on faith; (Phil. 3:6‑9)
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Heb. 11:7• 7By faith Noah, oracularly warned of things not yet beheld, moved with fear, constructed an ark for saving his house, by which he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness that 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.