I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Parallel translations
- WEB I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
- BSB I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
- NKJV I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
- NASB I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
- NLT I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul refuses to nullify God's grace, for if righteousness came through the law, Christ died needlessly. The cross proves law-keeping cannot save.
Overview
Paul concludes his argument with a stark either/or: grace or law, but not both as the basis of righteousness. If the law could justify, Christ's death would be pointless. Upholding justification by faith honors the cross, while seeking righteousness by law empties it of meaning.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Rom 11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
- Gal 3:21Is 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.
- Heb 7:11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
- 1 Cor 15:14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
- Gal 2:16Knowing 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.
- Gal 5:2–4Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
- Isa 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
- Rom 10:3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
- 1 Cor 15:2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
- Mark 7:9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
- Gal 2:18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
- Rom 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
- 1 Cor 15:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
- Ps 33:10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
- Jer 8:8How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the law's curse, that we might receive the Spirit and be sons — justified by faith in him, not by works.
How Galatians 2:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.