Galatians Chapter 3 · Verse 22

Authorized King James Version

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But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Original Language Analysis

ἀλλὰ But G235
ἀλλὰ But
Strong's: G235
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
συνέκλεισεν hath concluded G4788
συνέκλεισεν hath concluded
Strong's: G4788
Word #: 2 of 18
to shut together, i.e., include or (figuratively) embrace in a common subjection to
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφὴ the scripture G1124
γραφὴ the scripture
Strong's: G1124
Word #: 4 of 18
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάντα all G3956
πάντα all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 6 of 18
all, any, every, the whole
ὑπὸ under G5259
ὑπὸ under
Strong's: G5259
Word #: 7 of 18
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ἁμαρτίαν sin G266
ἁμαρτίαν sin
Strong's: G266
Word #: 8 of 18
a sin (properly abstract)
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 9 of 18
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαγγελία the promise G1860
ἐπαγγελία the promise
Strong's: G1860
Word #: 11 of 18
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
ἐκ by G1537
ἐκ by
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 12 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
πίστεως faith G4102
πίστεως faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 13 of 18
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
Ἰησοῦ of Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ of Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 14 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 15 of 18
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
δοθῇ might be given G1325
δοθῇ might be given
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 16 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύουσιν to them that believe G4100
πιστεύουσιν to them that believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 18 of 18
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

Analysis & Commentary

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. The conjunction 'but' (alla, ἀλλά) contrasts verse 21's negative (Law can't give life) with verse 22's purpose. 'The scripture hath concluded' (synekleisen hē graphē, συνέκλεισεν ἡ γραφή)—'shut up, imprisoned, confined'—the aorist verb indicates a decisive historical action. Scripture personified (as in v. 8) has locked up all humanity 'under sin' (hypo hamartian, ὑπὸ ἁμαρτίαν)—in sin's prison, under sin's authority. The word 'all' (ta panta, τὰ πάντα)—'all things, all people'—is emphatic: Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised, Law-keeper and pagan—all without exception are imprisoned under sin.

The purpose clause: 'that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe' (hina hē epangelia ek pisteōs Iēsou Christou dothē tois pisteuousin, ἵνα ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἐκ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοθῇ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν). God's purpose in imprisoning all under sin was gracious: so that the promise (righteousness, Spirit, life) would be received by faith alone, in Christ alone, by all who believe—Jew and Gentile equally. The genitive 'by faith of Jesus Christ' could mean 'faith in Jesus Christ' (objective genitive) or 'the faithfulness of Jesus Christ' (subjective genitive)—both are true and complementary.

This verse culminates Paul's argument: the Law's function was to imprison humanity under sin, forcing all to look outside themselves for salvation—to the promise fulfilled in Christ, received by faith. Universal sinfulness (Romans 3:9-23) leads to universal salvation-offer by grace through faith (Romans 3:21-26). No human merit, no works-righteousness—only faith in Christ.

Historical Context

Romans 3:9-20 parallels this verse: 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' The Law's purpose was to reveal and confine humanity under sin's dominion, eliminating any claim to self-righteousness. This universal diagnosis (Jew and Gentile alike are sinners under God's judgment) prepares for the universal remedy: justification by faith in Christ (Romans 3:21-26). Scripture's 'imprisoning all under sin' refers especially to passages like Deuteronomy 27:26 (quoted in Galatians 3:10), Psalm 143:2, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:10-18—texts proving universal human sinfulness.

Questions for Reflection