Galatians 3:11
ESV
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
NIV
Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."
NASB
Now, that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, 'THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.'
CSB
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.
NLT
So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'
KJV
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
NKJV
But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
What does Galatians 3:11 mean?
Paul continues to make his case that following the law cannot save anyone. He is trying to help the Christians in Galatia to understand that the Scriptures have always pointed to faith, trusting God, as the way to be made right with Him. This is especially meant to counter the false teaching of the Judaizers. This group claimed that following the law, including circumcision, was necessary in order for a person to be saved (Galatians 2:4).In the previous verse, Paul quoted from Deuteronomy that to live under the law is to live under the threat of a curse for breaking it in any way. Now he points to something Habakkuk wrote, "…The righteous shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4). He will quickly declare that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, but Paul is eager for the Galatians to hear that God has always called men and women to put their faith in Him. God never intended us to be saved by adhering to the law; His intent was always to use the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:10–14 describes Paul's argument that blessing does not come by following the law of Moses. In fact, the rules described in the law bring the threat of God's curse if anyone fails to keep them in any way. Since all fail to keep it perfectly, no one can be justified—made right before God—by the law. Paul quotes three Old Testament Scriptures to show this is true, and that Christ took this curse on Himself when He died for our sin on the cross. That's how the blessing of Abraham has come to the Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith.
Paul indicates the Galatian Christians are foolish for believing they need to follow the law of Moses to be right with God. He offers three specific arguments to support this. First, they received God's Spirit in a powerful way after believing in Jesus, but before doing any works of the law. Second, Scripture itself shows God's blessing coming by faith, and His curse coming by the law. Christ paid the price of that curse on the cross. Third, God's covenant with Abraham is like a legal document, and it cannot be revoked.
