KJV King James Version
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Galatians 3:23
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
WEB World English Bible
But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
ASV American Standard Version
But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
Surrounding context — Galatians 3
20 Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one.
21 [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
ΠρὸG4253 · probeforeτοῦG3588 · hothe/this/whoδὲG1161 · dethenἐλθεῖνG2064 · erchomaito come/goτὴνG3588 · hothe/this/whoπίστινG4102 · pistisfaithὑπὸG5259 · hupoby/under: byνόμονG3551 · nomoslawἐφρουρούμεθαG5432 · phroureōto guardσυγκλειόμενοιG4788 · sugkleiōto confineεἰςG1519 · eistowardτὴνG3588 · hothe/this/whoμέλλουσανG3195 · mellōto ensueπίστινG4102 · pistisfaithἀποκαλυφθῆναι.G601 · apokaluptōto reveal
Cross-references
Galatians 5:18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.Galatians 3:24-25Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.Galatians 3:19Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.Romans 11:32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.Romans 6:14-15For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.Romans 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.Galatians 4:1-5Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;1 Peter 1:11-12Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.Luke 10:23-24And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see:Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.1 Corinthians 9:20-21And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;Hebrews 11:39-40And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:Hebrews 11:13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.Galatians 4:21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING
Spurgeon on Galatians 3:23
Read Charles H. Spurgeon material whose primary Scripture is this verse or passage.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
Compare classic commentaries on Galatians 3:23
Put Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, Calvin, Wesley, Barnes, Jamieson–Fausset–Brown, Aquinas’ Catena and other public-domain sources beside the passage.
Compare commentaries →