Galatians 3:11

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

This verse is taken from the book of Galatians, which was written by the Apostle Paul. In this particular verse, Paul emphasizes the distinction between justification by the law and justification by faith.

No one is justified by the law:In the context of the verse, “justification” refers to being declared righteous or being made right with God. The “law” here refers to the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites in the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments and the various ceremonial and moral laws. Paul is making it clear that following the law alone is insufficient for anyone to be justified in the sight of God.

Justification by faith:Paul states that it is evident, or clear, that no one can be justified by the law. Instead, he emphasizes that the righteous shall live by faith. This means that true righteousness, or being in a right relationship with God, is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ and not by adherence to the law. Faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and acceptance of His grace is what justifies believers before God.

This verse echoes a similar theme found in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk 2:4, where the prophet declares, “the just shall live by his faith.” Paul references this verse to emphasize the continuity of God’s plan of salvation, which has always been based on faith.

Paul’s message in Galatians is particularly important in the context of the early Christian church, as there were those who advocated for a legalistic approach to faith, insisting on adherence to Jewish laws and customs as a requirement for salvation. Paul vigorously opposed this perspective and stressed the sufficiency of faith in Christ for salvation.