Justified by Faith

Gal. 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Many modern religionists do not know this yet (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:24-31; 5:1-11; 8:1-4; 10:9-10; Acts 13:38-39; Gal. 3:11-28; 2Cor. 5:14-21; Eph. 2:8-9; 1Jn. 1:9).

Knowing...

εἴδω

eidō

i'-do

A primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent, to gaze and to discern clearly; properly to see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perfect only) to know: - be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) known (-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wist, wot.

that...

ὅτι

hoti

hot'-ee

Neuter of which some as conjugation; demonstrative that (sometimes redundant); causatively because: - as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

a man...

ἄνθρωπος

anthrōpos

anth'-ro-pos

From a man and ὤψ ōps (the countenance; from to gaze); man-faced, that is, a human being: - certain, man.

is not...

οὐ

ou

oo

Also οὐκ ouk ook used before a vowel and οὐχ ouch ookh before an aspirate.

A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare not) adverb; no or not: - + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, [can-] not, + nothing, + special, un ([-worthy]), when, + without, + yet but.

justified...

δικαιόω

dikaioō

dik-ah-yo'-o

From equitable; to render (that is, show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.

by...

ἐκ, ἐξ

ek ex

ek, ex

A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote): - 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.

the works...

ἔργον

ergon

er'-gon

From ἔργω ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.

of the law,...

νόμος

nomos

nom'-os

From a primary word νέμω nemō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle): - law.

but...

ἐὰν μή

ean mē

eh-an' may

That is, in case that, provided and not,; if not, that is, unless: - X before, but, except, if no, (if, + whosoever) not.

by...

διά

dia

dee-ah'

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import: - after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) . . . fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through (-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general import.

the faith...

πίστις

pistis

pis'-tis

From to convince; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

of Jesus...

Ἰησοῦς

Iēsous

ee-ay-sooce'

Of Hebrew origin [Jehovah-saved]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.

Christ...

Χριστός

Christos

khris-tos'

From to smear or rub with oil; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.

even...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

we...

ἡμεῖς

hēmeis

hay-mice'

Nomitive plural of I; we (only used when emphatic): - us, we (ourselves).

have believed...

πιστεύω

pisteuō

pist-yoo'-o

From persuasion; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

in...

εἰς

eis

ice

A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.: - [abundant-] ly, against, among, as, at, [back-] ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for [intent, purpose], fore, + forth, in (among, at unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-) on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore (-unto), throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-) until (-to), . . . ward, [where-] fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively.

Jesus... see above.

Christ... see above.

that...

ἵνα

hina

hin'-ah

Probably from the same as the former part of him (through the demonstrative idea; compare the); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result): - albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.

we might be justified... see justified above.

by... see above.

the faith... see above.

of Christ,... see above.

and... see even above.

not... see is not above.

by... see above.

the works... see above.

of the law:... see of the law, above.

for...

διότι

dioti

dee-ot’-ee

From through and that; on the very account that, or inasmuch as: - because (that), for, therefore.

by... see above.

the works... see above.

of the law... see above.

shall no... see is not above.

flesh...

σάρξ

sarx

sarx

Probably from the base of to brush off; flesh (as stripped of the skin), that is, (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred, or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): - carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]).

be justified... see above.

In this verse, one of the most important in the epistle, the word justified occurs for the first time. It is a legal term, borrowed from the law courts and means “to declare righteous.” Its opposite is “to condemn.” But since people are condemned sinners and God is holy, how can people be justified? In answer, the apostle made a general declaration that negatively man is not justified by observing the Law, but positively, justification is by faith in Jesus Christ. This is a strong affirmation of Paul, Peter, and the rest - introduced by We… know. It is followed by a statement in which Paul explained that he had put this doctrine to the test and validated it in his own experience (Gal. 2:16). Finally, in Gal. 2:16 the apostle reaffirmed that justification is by faith and not by works (cf. Gen. 15:6).

Gen. 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

But the Lord strongly answered, This man (not even using Eliezer’s name) will not be your heir. Instead a son coming from Abram’s own body would be his heir. God then showed Abram the stars, pointing out that Abram’s offspring would be just as innumerable (cf. Gen. 22:17; 26:4). The word by which God created the stars would also guarantee Abram’s seed.

Abram believed (lit., “believed in”) the Lord and He credited… to him … righteousness. This foundational truth is repeated three times in the New Testament (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jas. 2:23) to show that righteousness is reckoned in return for faith.

Gen. 15:6 provides an important note, but it does not pinpoint Abram’s conversion. That occurred years earlier when he left Ur. (The form of the Heb. word for “believed” shows that his faith did not begin after the events recorded in Gen. 15:1-5.) Abram’s faith is recorded here because it is foundational for making the covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant did not give Abram redemption; it was a covenant made with Abram who had already believed and to whom righteousness had already been imputed. The Bible clearly teaches that in all ages imputed righteousness (i.e., salvation) comes by faith.