Galatians 3:23

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

But before faith came, wee were kept vnder the Law, shut vp vnto the faith, which should afterwards bee reuealed.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
- American Standard Version (1901)

But before faith came, we were kept in prison under the law, waiting for the revelation of the faith which was to come.
- Basic English Bible

But before faith came, we were guarded under law, shut up to faith [which was] about to be revealed.
- Darby Bible

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up to the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
- Webster's Bible

Before this faith came, we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be revealed.
- Weymouth Bible

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
- World English Bible

And tofor that bileue cam, thei weren kept vndur the lawe, enclosid in to that bileue that was to be schewid.
- Wycliffe Bible

And before the coming of the faith, under law we were being kept, shut up to the faith about to be revealed,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Galatians 3:23


3:23 But before faith - That is, the gospel dispensation. Came, we were kept - As in close custody. Under the law - The Mosaic dispensation. Shut up unto the faith which was to be revealed - Reserved and prepared for the gospel dispensation.


People's Bible Notes for Galatians 3:23


Ga 3:23 Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up. Before the faith was revealed we were confined under the law, as it were in prison, in a state of preparation for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. The law was "added" in order to do a work of preparation until the gospel was revealed. See Ga 3:19.

Discussion for Galatians 3:23

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