3:11a
Now: In 3:11–12, Paul briefly interrupted his new discussion about being cursed (in 3:10). He did this to remind his readers of one of his main themes: we are justified by faith, not by works. He then returned to the idea of curse in 3:13.
The Greek indicates this brief interruption with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now.
Some English versions, such as the Contemporary English Version and New International Version, do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, no conjunction will be necessary either.
it is clear that: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
it is evident (English Standard Version)
-or-
it is obvious
-or-
we see/understand that
no one is justified before God: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as justified means “cause/make to be acceptable/right.” This same word occurs in 3:8b.
This verb is passive. Some ways to translate it are:
• Use a passive. For example:
no one can be made right with God (New Century Version)
-or-
no one can be regarded as righteous/straight in front of God
• Use an active. For example:
obeying the law cannot put/make a person right with God
-or-
God does not consider a person right
See also justify in the Glossary for more information.
by the law: The phrase by the law means the same thing as “by the works of the law” in 3:2b. It means “by keeping/obeying the law.”
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
by ?obeying/following? the law
-or-
through ?keeping? the law
-or-
if/when ?he obeys? the law
-or-
because of ?his following? the law
-or-
following the law
3:11b
because: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the basis for the statement in 3:11a. The basis for 3:11a is a verse from Scripture.
Some other ways to show the connection are:
for (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
because the scripture says (Good News Translation)
In some languages, it is natural to put the basis first. For example:
11b “The righteous shall live by faith.” 11a ?So? no one is justified by the law.
The righteous will live by faith: There are two ways to interpret the phrase by faith :
(1) It is connected with the noun righteous. It means that those people whom God declares righteous because of their faith will live. For example:
Only the person who is put right with God through faith shall live (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) It is connected with the verb live. It means that those people who are righteous will live because of their faith. For example:
Those who are right with God will live by faith (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, English Standard Version, NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Throughout Galatians, Paul has connected righteousness and faith. God makes people righteous because of their faith, not because they follow the law.
It appears that more versions follow interpretation (2). But it is possible that some are simply ambiguous and do not intend to exclude interpretation (1).
Some other ways to translate this clause are:
The person whom God makes right because of his faith will live.
-or-
The people who believe in God are made right. These people will live.
The righteous: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as The righteous refers to a righteous person. It is a person whom God has declared right/straight. The word righteous is the noun form of the verb “justified” in 3:11a.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
The person who is justified
-or-
The person who is blameless
-or-
The one who is made right/straight
In some languages, it may be more natural to use the plural word “people” here. For example:
The people who are made right/straight
See also righteous in the Glossary.
will live: The verb will live refers to living/being in a good relationship with God. It is living for and with God both here on earth and after death. It does not refer to remaining alive on the earth.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
will really live
-or-
will have true/genuine life
-or-
lives in right relationship with God (The Message)
-or-
will live forever (Easy-to-Read Version)
Languages have many ways to express the idea of live. In some languages, the idea of live is expressed by the verb “sit,” “stay,” or “be with someone.” Other languages use a metaphor such as “walk.” Those languages may have to translate will live by something like:
will sit/stay/be well
-or-
will walk ?with God?
-or-
will have a relationship with God
by faith: The phrase by faith means that a person will be made righteous because of his faith/belief in God.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
through faith
-or-
because of his faith/believing
See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.
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