Galatians 3:22
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The text emphasizes that "Scripture" itself, not just the Law, "shut up" everyone under sin, acting like a jailer. This highlights that the entire Old Testament witness points to humanity's universal sinfulness, preparing the way for the promise of salvation by faith, not by adhering to any set of rules.
But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining the purpose of the law, which he stated was given "because of transgressions" (Galatians 3:19). He emphasizes that the law wasn't meant to be a permanent system for righteousness but served as a temporary measure until Christ arrived. This verse reveals that, far from offering a path to righteousness, Scripture's primary role in this context was to expose everyone's sinfulness, ultimately directing them toward faith in Christ for salvation.
Ever feel like the rules just keep piling up, making you feel more guilty than free? Paul uses a powerful image here to explain how Scripture functions.
Paul says "the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin." This isn't just about the Ten Commandments, but the entirety of God's Word, including the Law given through Moses.
The Purpose of the Prison
If Scripture shows us we're all guilty, how can we ever hope to receive God's promised blessing?
The amazing part of this verse is the "that" – the purpose behind Scripture's pronouncement of guilt. It's "so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
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A Gift of Grace
This contrasts sharply with the idea that righteousness or salvation could be achieved through adherence to the Law. Instead, the Law's purpose was to drive us to the one source of true righteousness and life: faith in Jesus Christ.
Understand the original words
graphē · Greek Noun
In this context, the divinely inspired writings of the Old Testament, which serve as the authoritative testimony to God's dealings with humanity.
hamartia · Greek Noun
A missing of the mark; the condition of rebellion against God, alienation from His will, and the resulting state of spiritual condemnation.
pistis · Greek Noun
Trusting reliance upon God and His work; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to belief in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation.
Christos · Greek Proper Noun
The Anointed One (Messiah); the eternal Son of God who became human to fulfill the law, die for sins, and rise again, serving as the sole mediator between God and humanity.
pisteuō · Greek Verb
A term describing one who puts their trust or confidence in something or someone, specifically one who relies on the message of the Gospel.
The 'Scripture' Paul refers to is the whole Old Testament, which, through the Law and the prophets, consistently points to humanity's universal sinfulness and inability to achieve righteousness on their own, setting the stage for God's promised gift of salvation through faith in Christ.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai
God gives the Law through Moses to the Israelites, establishing a covenant based on obedience. This event marks the formalization of Israel's identity and their relationship with God under a written code.
c. 1400 BC - 600 BC
Prophetic Writings Develop
Over centuries, prophets like Isaiah and later Hosea, Jeremiah, and others write down God's message. Their words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, consistently call Israel to faithfulness and warn against sin.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile
Many Israelites are deported to Babylon. This period highlights their persistent sinfulness and the consequences of disobedience, underscoring the inability of the Law alone to save them.
c. 400 BC - AD 30
Second Temple Period
The Jewish people return from exile and rebuild the Temple. During this time, a strong emphasis is placed on adherence to the Law, sometimes leading to legalism and a misunderstanding of God's original promise.
c. AD 30 - 33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus Christ, the promised Seed, lives, dies, and rises again. His work fulfills the Law's ultimate purpose, demonstrating that salvation comes not through adherence to the Law but through faith in Him.
c. AD 48-50
Council of Jerusalem
The early church leaders address the issue of Gentile inclusion. The decision confirms that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by observance of the Mosaic Law, a principle Paul strongly affirms in Galatians.
This passage directly echoes the idea that the law's purpose is to reveal sin and guilt, shutting everyone under its condemnation, which perfectly parallels Galatians 3:22's concept of Scripture imprisoning all under sin.
Romans 11:32Paul uses a similar 'shut up' metaphor here to describe God's sovereign action in consigning all to disobedience, highlighting the universal grip of sin that Galatians 3:22 describes.
John 12:32Jesus speaks of being lifted up so that He might 'draw all people' to Himself. This connects with Galatians 3:22's theme of a universal conclusion under sin, which then makes way for the promise of salvation through Christ to be extended to all who believe.
Genesis 15:6This foundational text states that Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. It’s the key Old Testament passage illustrating the 'promise by faith' that Paul refers to in Galatians 3:22 as the ultimate goal after sin is exposed.
Hebrews 4:15-16This passage speaks of Jesus as a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted as we are, yet without sin. It highlights the perfect mediator through whom the promise is given, contrasting with the law's inability to save, as described in Galatians 3:22.
jfbGalatians 3:22: "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
- But—as the law cannot give life or righteousness [Alford]. Or the "But" means, So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the knowledge of sin is rather what comes of the law [Bengel].the scripture—which began to be written after the time of the promise, at the time when the law was given. The written letter was needed SO as PERMANENTLY to…
bengelGalatians 3:22: "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
Galatians 3:22 . Ἀλλὰ , but ) So far is righteousness from being of the law, that the acknowledgment of sin is rather what comes of the law.— συνέκλεισεν , hath concluded ) It has comprehended sinners, that were formerly unconcerned [free from all alarm], and has concluded them all together; comp. inclosed [ συνέκλεισεν , of the multitude of fishes in…
The text emphasizes that "Scripture" itself, not just the Law, "shut up" everyone under sin, acting like a jailer. This highlights that the entire Old Testament witness points to humanity's universal sinfulness, preparing the way for the promise of salvation by faith, not by adhering to any set of rules.
Paul is explaining the purpose of the law, which he stated was given "because of transgressions" (Galatians 3:19). He emphasizes that the law wasn't meant to be a permanent system for righteousness but served as a temporary measure until Christ arrived. This verse reveals that, far from offering a path to righteousness, Scripture's primary role in this context was to expose everyone's sinfulness, ultimately directing them toward faith in Christ for salvation.
Paul is explaining the purpose of the law, which he stated was given "because of transgressions" (Galatians 3:19). He emphasizes that the law wasn't meant to be a permanent system for righteousness but served as a temporary measure until Christ arrived. This verse reveals that, far from offering a path to righteousness, Scripture's primary role in this context was to expose everyone's sinfulness, ultimately directing them toward faith in Christ for salvation.
"But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." — The text emphasizes that "Scripture" itself, not just the Law, "shut up" everyone under sin, acting like a jailer. This highlights that the entire Old Testament witness points to humanity's universal…
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Last reviewed October 2026
