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Selected Verse: Galatians 3:11 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ga 3:11	King James	But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
by the law--Greek, "IN the law." Both in and by are included. The syllogism in this verse and Gal 3:12, is, according to Scripture, "The just shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, but of doing, or works (that is, does not make faith, but works, the conditional ground of justifying). Therefore "in," or "by the law, no man is justified before God" (whatever the case may be before men, Rom 4:2) --not even if he could, which he cannot, keep the law, because the Scripture element and conditional mean of justification is faith. The just shall live by faith-- (Rom 1:17; Hab 2:4). Not as BENGEL and ALFORD, "He who is just by faith shall live." The Greek supports English Version. Also the contrast is between "live by faith" (namely, as the ground and source of his justification), and "live in them," namely, in his doings or works (Gal 3:12), as the conditional element wherein he is justified.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

by the law--Greek, "IN the law." Both in and by are included. The syllogism in this verse and Gal 3:12, is, according to Scripture, "The just shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, but of doing, or works (that is, does not make faith, but works, the conditional ground of justifying). Therefore "in," or "by the law, no man is justified before God" (whatever the case may be before men, Rom 4:2) --not even if he could, which he cannot, keep the law, because the Scripture element and conditional mean of justification is faith.

The just shall live by faith-- (Rom 1:17; Hab 2:4). Not as BENGEL and ALFORD, "He who is just by faith shall live." The Greek supports English Version. Also the contrast is between "live by faith" (namely, as the ground and source of his justification), and "live in them," namely, in his doings or works (Gal 3:12), as the conditional element wherein he is justified.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But that no man is justified ... - The argument which Paul has been pursuing he proceeds to confirm by an express declaration of the Bible. The argument is this: "It is impossible that a man should be justified by the Law, because God has appointed another way of justification." But there cannot be two ways of obtaining life, and as he has appointed faith as the condition on which people shall live, he has precluded from them the possibility of obtaining salvation in any other mode. For, The just shall live by faith - This is quoted from Hab 2:4. This passage is also quoted by Paul in Rom 1:17; see it explained in the note on that verse. The sense here is, that life is promised to man only in connection with faith. It is not by the works of the Law that it is done. The condition of life is faith: and he lives who believes. The meaning is not, I apprehend, that the man who is justified by faith shall live, but that life is promised and exists only in connection with faith, and that the just or righteous man obtains it only in this way. Of course it cannot be obtained by the observance of the Law, but must be by some other scheme.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But that no man is justified ... - The argument which Paul has been pursuing he proceeds to confirm by an express declaration of the Bible. The argument is this: "It is impossible that a man should be justified by the Law, because God has appointed another way of justification." But there cannot be two ways of obtaining life, and as he has appointed faith as the condition on which people shall live, he has precluded from them the possibility of obtaining salvation in any other mode.

For, The just shall live by faith - This is quoted from Hab 2:4. This passage is also quoted by Paul in Rom 1:17; see it explained in the note on that verse. The sense here is, that life is promised to man only in connection with faith. It is not by the works of the Law that it is done. The condition of life is faith: and he lives who believes. The meaning is not, I apprehend, that the man who is justified by faith shall live, but that life is promised and exists only in connection with faith, and that the just or righteous man obtains it only in this way. Of course it cannot be obtained by the observance of the Law, but must be by some other scheme.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
But (δὲ) Better, now. The δὲ continues the argument, adding the scripture testimony. By the law (ἐν νόμῳ) Rather, in the sphere of the law; thus corresponding with continueth in, Gal 3:10. The just shall live by faith (ὁ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται) Better, the righteous. Quoted from Hab 2:4, and appears in Rom 1:17, and Heb 10:28. The lxx has μοῦ my, either after δίκαιος, "my righteous one shall live, etc.," or after πίστεως, "by my faith or faithfulness."

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

But (δὲ)

Better, now. The δὲ continues the argument, adding the scripture testimony.

By the law (ἐν νόμῳ)

Rather, in the sphere of the law; thus corresponding with continueth in, Gal 3:10.

The just shall live by faith (ὁ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται)

Better, the righteous. Quoted from Hab 2:4, and appears in Rom 1:17, and Heb 10:28. The lxx has μοῦ my, either after δίκαιος, "my righteous one shall live, etc.," or after πίστεως, "by my faith or faithfulness."

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
But that none is justified by his obedience to the law in the sight of God - Whatever may be done in the sight of man, is farther evident from the words of Habakkuk, The just shall live by faith - That is, the man who is accounted just or righteous before God, shall continue in a state of acceptance, life, and salvation, by faith. This is the way God hath chosen. Hab 2:4.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

But that none is justified by his obedience to the law in the sight of God - Whatever may be done in the sight of man, is farther evident from the words of Habakkuk, The just shall live by faith - That is, the man who is accounted just or righteous before God, shall continue in a state of acceptance, life, and salvation, by faith. This is the way God hath chosen. Hab 2:4.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
But that no man is justified by the law - By the observance of the law, suppose he had even continued in all things that are written in it to do them, is evident; for the Prophet Habakkuk, Hab 2:4, has declared, under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, The just shall live by faith; or, he who is just by faith shall live: therefore this justification comes not by works, or the observance of the law, but by faith.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

But that no man is justified by the law - By the observance of the law, suppose he had even continued in all things that are written in it to do them, is evident; for the Prophet Habakkuk, Hab 2:4, has declared, under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, The just shall live by faith; or, he who is just by faith shall live: therefore this justification comes not by works, or the observance of the law, but by faith.

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