Galatians Chapter 3 · Verse 7

Authorized King James Version

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Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Original Language Analysis

Γινώσκετε Know ye G1097
Γινώσκετε Know ye
Strong's: G1097
Word #: 1 of 10
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ἄρα therefore G686
ἄρα therefore
Strong's: G686
Word #: 2 of 10
a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 3 of 10
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ they which are of G1537
ἐκ they which are of
Strong's: G1537
Word #: 5 of 10
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 #: 6 of 10
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
οὗτοι the same G3778
οὗτοι the same
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 7 of 10
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
εἰσιν are G1526
εἰσιν are
Strong's: G1526
Word #: 8 of 10
they are
υἱοί the children G5207
υἱοί the children
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 9 of 10
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Ἀβραάμ of Abraham G11
Ἀβραάμ of Abraham
Strong's: G11
Word #: 10 of 10
abraham, the hebrew patriarch

Analysis & Commentary

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. The imperative 'know ye' (ginōskete, γινώσκετε) demands recognition of an inescapable conclusion: 'they which are of faith' (hoi ek pisteōs, οἱ ἐκ πίστεως)—literally 'those out of faith,' whose source and origin is faith—these alone are 'sons of Abraham' (huioi Abraam, υἱοὶ Ἀβραάμ). Paul redefines Jewish identity: true Abrahamic sonship is by faith, not ethnicity or circumcision.

The emphatic 'the same' (houtoi, οὗτοι)—'these and these alone'—excludes all others. This is radical redefinition: uncircumcised Gentile believers are the true children of Abraham, while circumcised Jews trusting in Law-works are outside the family. The article hoi (οἱ) makes this a class definition: the faith-people constitute Abraham's seed. Jesus made the same argument against unbelieving Jews (John 8:39-40).

This verse explodes ethnic privilege. Abraham's true children are identified not by genealogy but by faith like his. The Judaizers claimed Gentiles must become Jews (via circumcision) to join Abraham's family; Paul insists the opposite—Jews and Gentiles alike must have Abraham's faith to be his children. Faith, not flesh, defines the people of God.

Historical Context

First-century Judaism equated Abrahamic descent with ethnic lineage—circumcision was the covenant sign marking out Abraham's physical children (Genesis 17:9-14). The Judaizers insisted Gentile converts must be circumcised to join the covenant people. Paul's redefinition was revolutionary and offensive to Jewish Christians: spiritual lineage through faith supersedes physical lineage through flesh. Romans 9:6-8 develops this further: 'not all Israel is Israel'—true Israel is defined by faith. This same principle grounds the church as the new covenant people of God.

Questions for Reflection