Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Original Language Analysis
συνεσταύρωμαι
I am crucified
G4957
συνεσταύρωμαι
I am crucified
Strong's:
G4957
Word #:
2 of 33
to impale in company with (literally or figuratively)
ὃ
the life which
G3739
ὃ
the life which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
νῦν
now
G3568
νῦν
now
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
14 of 33
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
σαρκί
the flesh
G4561
σαρκί
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
17 of 33
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
πίστει
the faith
G4102
πίστει
the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
19 of 33
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τοῦ
who
G3588
τοῦ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
who
G3588
τοῦ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοῦ
of the Son
G5207
υἱοῦ
of the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
23 of 33
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
who
G3588
τοῦ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
25 of 33
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
who
G3588
τοῦ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
31 of 33
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Cross References
Galatians 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.2 Corinthians 5:15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.Romans 6:8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:Galatians 6:14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.1 Thessalonians 5:10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.Galatians 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.John 17:21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Historical Context
This verse became the watchword of the Reformation and every subsequent spiritual awakening. Luther called it "the life of my soul." It captures the mystery of union with Christ: believers are so identified with Christ that His death becomes theirs (ending self-righteous striving) and His life becomes theirs (empowering holy living). This isn't mystical absorption into deity but covenant union where Christ's legal status and spiritual life are shared with those who trust Him.
Questions for Reflection
- What would change in your daily life if you truly lived from the reality that you've been crucified with Christ?
- How does personalizing Christ's love ("loved me, gave Himself for me") transform generic doctrine into life-altering truth?
- In what areas are you still living by the ego ("I") rather than by faith in Christ who lives in you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. The perfect passive Christō synestaurōmai (Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι, "I have been and remain crucified with Christ") describes completed action with ongoing results—Paul's co-crucifixion with Christ is historical fact (at conversion) with present reality. The prefix syn- (σύν, "with, together") indicates union; stauroō (σταυρόω, "to crucify") speaks of death to the old self.
The paradox continues: zō de ouketi egō, zē de en emoi Christos (ζῶ δὲ οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός, "I live, yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me"). The present tense zō (ζῶ, "I live") affirms existence, immediately qualified by ouketi egō (οὐκέτι ἐγώ, "no longer I")—the self-dependent, law-trusting ego is dead. Instead, Christos lives en emoi (ἐν ἐμοὶ, "in me")—indwelling presence, not mere influence. Ho de nyn zō en sarki (ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, "what I now live in flesh") acknowledges continuing bodily existence, but powered differently: en pistei zō tē tou hyiou tou theou (ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ, "I live by faith in the Son of God").
The climax: tou agapēsantos me kai paradontos heauton hyper emou (τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ, "who loved me and gave himself for me"). The aorist participles mark decisive historical action—Christ's love and self-giving on the cross. The intensely personal me and emou ("me") individualizes Christ's universal atonement—He died for Paul specifically, personally, intentionally.