Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 3ΠΡΟΣ ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ Γ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Ὦ ἀνόητοι Γαλάται, τίς ὑμᾶς ἐβάσκανεν, οἷς κατ' ὀφθαλμοὺς Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς προεγράφη ἐσταυρωμένος;

O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?

Rebuke / rhetorical openingasyndetonAn abrupt, indignant address opens the argument: a vocative rebuke and an incredulous question — how could a people shown the crucified Christ be so deluded?
Ointerjection (emotive address)ὦ: interjection of address, here charged with exasperation and pathos.
ἀνόητοιfoolishVocativeattributive adjective (vocative of address)ἀνόητος: 'without understanding, senseless' (ἀ- privative + νοέω); not stupidity but a failure to perceive the obvious.
ΓαλάταιGalatiansVocativevocative of addressΓαλάτης: a Galatian; the addressees, whether ethnic Gauls of the north or the churches of the Roman province in the south.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἐβάσκανενbewitchedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασκαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristβασκαίνω: 'bewitch, cast the evil eye, fascinate'; an arresting metaphor — as if a malign spell had blinded them to the gospel.
οἷςbefore whoseDativerelative pronoun (dat. of reference / interest)
κατ'beforepreposition + accusative (in the presence of)κατά + acc. here = 'right before, in plain view of.'
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativeobject of κατά (κατ' ὀφθαλμούς = 'before the eyes')ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom stresses the vividness of the gospel proclamation, as a public placard.
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject of προεγράφη
ΧριστὸςChristNominativeapposition (name-title)
προεγράφηwas publicly portrayedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προγράφωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπρογράφω: 'write/post up publicly, placard beforehand' (προ- + γράφω); of a public proclamation set out as on a notice-board.
ἐσταυρωμένοςas crucifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · σταυρόωpredicate participle (state)→ intensive perfect (abiding state)σταυρόω: 'crucify'; the perfect stresses the enduring significance of the cross — 'the crucified one,' the gospel's permanent center.
2

τοῦτο μόνον θέλω μαθεῖν ἀφ' ὑμῶν· ἐξ ἔργων νόμου τὸ πνεῦμα ἐλάβετε ἢ ἐξ ἀκοῆς πίστεως;

This only I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by the hearing of faith?

Decisive questionasyndetonPaul narrows to a single, experience-based test that the Galatians cannot dodge: the source of the Spirit they manifestly received.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (forward-pointing demonstrative)
μόνονonlyAccusativeadverbial accusative (limiting)μόνος: 'only, alone'; here adverbial — Paul reduces the matter to one decisive point.
θέλωI wantPres Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ stative presentθέλω: 'wish, will, want'; volition introducing the question to follow.
μαθεῖνto learnAor Act Inf · μανθάνωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristμανθάνω: 'learn, ascertain'; ironic — Paul knows the answer and means them to face it.
ἀφ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/means)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; 'works of law' = deeds the Torah requires, the badge of covenant membership the agitators urged.
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive of source/definitionνόμος: 'law'; in Galatians chiefly the Mosaic Torah — the key term of the letter's polemic.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβετεπνεῦμα: the Holy Spirit; the experiential proof of belonging to God, received at conversion.
ἐλάβετεdid you receiveAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (question)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive, take'; the Spirit was received as gift — the aorist points to the definite event of their conversion.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/means)
ἀκοῆςhearingGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)ἀκοή: 'hearing, the thing heard, report'; either the act of hearing or the message heard — 'the hearing of faith' = the gospel believed.
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive (source/quality; 'hearing that is faith')πίστις: 'faith'; ἐξ ἀκοῆς πίστεως — the alternative to ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, the framing antithesis of the chapter.
3

οὕτως ἀνόητοί ἐστε; ἐναρξάμενοι πνεύματι νῦν σαρκὶ ἐπιτελεῖσθε;

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Incredulous questionasyndetonThe folly is named: to think a work begun in the Spirit could be brought to completion by fleshly law-keeping reverses the whole order of grace.
οὕτωςsoadverb (degree)οὕτως: 'thus, to such a degree'; intensifies the rebuke — 'so very foolish.'
ἀνόητοίfoolishNominativepredicate adjectiveἀνόητος: 'senseless'; echoes the vocative of v.1, now in a direct question.
ἐστεare youPres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐναρξάμενοιhaving begunAor Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐνάρχομαιconcessive/temporal adverbial participle→ constative aorist (antecedent)ἐνάρχομαι: 'begin, make a beginning' (ἐν + ἄρχομαι); often of inaugurating a religious/cultic undertaking — fittingly paired with ἐπιτελέω.
πνεύματιby the SpiritDativedat. of means/instrumentπνεῦμα: the Spirit as the power that began their Christian life — set in pointed antithesis to σάρξ.
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present folly contrasted with the Spirit-wrought beginning.
σαρκὶby the fleshDativedat. of means/instrumentσάρξ: 'flesh'; here the sphere of unaided human effort and the law's external observances (note esp. circumcision).
ἐπιτελεῖσθεare you being perfectedPres Mid/Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἐπιτελέωmain verb (question)→ conative/progressive presentἐπιτελέω: 'complete, bring to an end' (ἐπί + τελέω); 'are you completing (yourselves)?' — the absurdity of finishing by flesh what the Spirit began.
4

τοσαῦτα ἐπάθετε εἰκῇ; εἴ γε καὶ εἰκῇ.

Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain?

Question from experienceasyndetonA further appeal: their costly experiences would be pointless if they abandon the gospel — yet Paul checks himself, hoping it is not so.
τοσαῦταso many thingsAccusativedirect object (correlative pronoun)τοσοῦτος: 'so great/so many'; the scale of what they had undergone.
ἐπάθετεdid you suffer/experienceAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πάσχωmain verb (question)→ constative aoristπάσχω: 'experience, suffer'; can be neutral ('experience') or negative ('suffer') — likely their experiences/sufferings as believers.
εἰκῇin vainadverb (manner — 'to no purpose')εἰκῇ: 'without cause, in vain, to no purpose'; their experience would be wasted if they desert the faith.
εἴifconjunction (conditional)
γεindeedemphatic particleγε: intensive particle; εἴ γε = 'if indeed,' qualifying the 'in vain' with a hopeful reservation.
καὶreallyadverbial/ascensive conjunction
εἰκῇin vainadverb (manner)εἰκῇ: repeated — Paul will not concede that their experience must be wasted; recovery is still possible.
5

ὁ οὖν ἐπιχορηγῶν ὑμῖν τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἐνεργῶν δυνάμεις ἐν ὑμῖν ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ἢ ἐξ ἀκοῆς πίστεως;

So then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you — is it by works of the law or by the hearing of faith?

Inference (restating the question)οὖνThe inferential 'then' reframes vv.2–3: God's ongoing supply of the Spirit and miracles is, like its beginning, grounded in faith, not law.
the oneNominativearticle (substantizes the participles)
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'so, then'; draws the question of vv.2–4 to a head.
ἐπιχορηγῶνwho suppliesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιχορηγέωsubstantival participle (subject — God)→ customary presentἐπιχορηγέω: 'supply lavishly, furnish' (orig. of a χορηγός defraying a chorus); God's bountiful, ongoing provision of the Spirit.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritAccusativedirect object of ἐπιχορηγῶνπνεῦμα: the Spirit, continually supplied — not a past event only but a present reality.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνεργῶνwho worksPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐνεργέωsubstantival participle (coordinate)→ customary presentἐνεργέω: 'work, be operative, effect' (ἐν + ἔργον); God energizing miraculous power among them.
δυνάμειςmiraclesAccusativedirect object of ἐνεργῶνδύναμις: 'power, mighty work, miracle'; the plural = deeds of power, present evidence of the Spirit's work.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/means)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)ἔργον: 'work'; ἐξ ἔργων νόμου again — the rejected option.
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive of source/definition
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/means)
ἀκοῆςhearingGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)ἀκοή: 'hearing/report'; the affirmed option — the gospel believed.
πίστεωςof faithGenitivegenitive (source/quality)πίστις: 'faith'; the framing antithesis repeated, sealing the appeal to experience.
6

καθὼς Ἀβραὰμ ἐπίστευσεν τῷ θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.

Just as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

Scriptural comparison / groundκαθὼςPivot from experience to Scripture: the Galatians' faith-pattern matches Abraham's, cited from Genesis 15:6 as the paradigm of justification.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, according as'; links the readers' experience to the Abraham precedent.
ἈβραὰμAbrahamNominativesubject (indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; the patriarch, paradigm and 'father' of all who believe (Gen 15:6).
ἐπίστευσενbelievedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; cognate with πίστις — Abraham's trust in God's promise.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of object (πιστεύω + dat. = 'believe in')θεός: God; the object of Abraham's faith — he trusted God's word.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλογίσθηit was reckonedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (divine passive)→ constative aoristλογίζομαι: 'reckon, credit, count'; a commercial/accounting term — God credited faith as righteousness.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of advantage/recipient
εἰςaspreposition + accusative (result/equivalence)εἰς here = 'as, for' (Semitic 'reckon as'); marks the result of the crediting.
δικαιοσύνηνrighteousnessAccusativeobject of εἰς (result of reckoning)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the standing of being right with God, here granted on the basis of faith.
7

γινώσκετε ἄρα ὅτι οἱ ἐκ πίστεως, οὗτοι υἱοί εἰσιν Ἀβραάμ.

Know then that those of faith — these are sons of Abraham.

InferenceἄραThe conclusion drawn from Abraham's case: kinship to Abraham is defined by faith, not by physical descent or law.
γινώσκετεknowPres Act Indic/Impv 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (indicative or imperative)→ customary present / directiveγινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; may be statement ('you know') or command ('recognize!') — either way it presses the inference.
ἄραtheninferential particleἄρα: 'so, then, consequently'; draws the conclusion from v.6.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ἐκ πίστεως)
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/characterization)ἐκ πίστεως: 'those whose defining origin is faith' — 'the people of faith.'
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source/characterization)πίστις: 'faith'; the defining mark of the true children of Abraham.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (resumptive subject)οὗτος: 'this one'; the resumptive 'these' lends emphasis — 'these and no others.'
υἱοίsonsNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; covenant-kinship language — true sonship to Abraham is by faith.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
Ἀβραάμof AbrahamGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)
8

προϊδοῦσα δὲ ἡ γραφὴ ὅτι ἐκ πίστεως δικαιοῖ τὰ ἔθνη ὁ θεὸς προευηγγελίσατο τῷ Ἀβραὰμ ὅτι ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν σοὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη.

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham: "In you all the nations will be blessed."

Scriptural supportδὲScripture personified 'foresaw' the Gentile mission: the promise to Abraham (Gen 12:3) was itself a pre-announcement of justification by faith for the nations.
προϊδοῦσαforeseeingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · προοράωcausal/circumstantial participle→ constative aorist (antecedent)προοράω: 'foresee, see beforehand' (προ- + ὁράω); Scripture is personified as anticipating God's plan.
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
theNominativearticle
γραφὴScriptureNominativesubjectγραφή: 'Scripture'; personified for God who speaks in it — 'Scripture preached.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause of προϊδοῦσα)
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (means/basis)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis of justification)πίστις: 'faith'; the basis on which the nations are justified — fronted for emphasis.
δικαιοῖjustifiesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (object clause)→ gnomic presentδικαιόω: 'declare/make righteous, justify'; the gnomic present states God's settled way of dealing — by faith.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of δικαιοῖἔθνος: 'nation'; τὰ ἔθνη = the Gentiles/nations — the surprising scope of the Abrahamic promise.
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of δικαιοῖ (within ὅτι clause)
προευηγγελίσατοpreached the gospel beforehandAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προευαγγελίζομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροευαγγελίζομαι: 'announce good news in advance' (προ- + εὐαγγελίζομαι); a NT hapax — the gospel was pre-preached to Abraham.
τῷtoDativearticle
ἈβραὰμAbrahamDativedat. of recipient (indeclinable)
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces the quotation)ὅτι: here recitative, introducing the cited promise.
ἐνευλογηθήσονταιwill be blessedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐνευλογέωmain verb (citation, Gen 12:3 LXX)→ predictive futureἐνευλογέω: 'bless (in/through)'; the LXX wording of the Abrahamic blessing extended to all peoples.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/incorporation)
σοὶyouDativeobject of ἐν (Abraham as locus of blessing)σύ: 'you'; 'in you' — the blessing flows to the nations through Abraham (and his Seed).
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the universal reach — 'all the nations.'
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἔθνηnationsNominativesubject of ἐνευλογηθήσονταιἔθνος: 'nation'; the Gentiles, the beneficiaries of Abraham's blessing.
9

ὥστε οἱ ἐκ πίστεως εὐλογοῦνται σὺν τῷ πιστῷ Ἀβραάμ.

So then, those of faith are blessed together with the believing Abraham.

Result / conclusionὥστεThe result clause closes the Abraham unit: faith, not law, makes one a sharer in the blessing promised to and through the patriarch.
ὥστεso theninferential/consecutive conjunctionὥστε: 'so that, therefore'; draws the result from vv.6–8.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ἐκ πίστεως)
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/characterization)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (characterization)πίστις: 'faith'; οἱ ἐκ πίστεως echoes v.7 — the people defined by faith.
εὐλογοῦνταιare blessedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb (divine passive)→ gnomic/customary presentεὐλογέω: 'bless, speak well of'; God blesses them as he blessed Abraham — the present states the abiding reality.
σὺνtogether withpreposition + dative (association)σύν: 'with, together with'; believers share Abraham's blessing — fellow recipients, not rivals.
τῷtheDativearticle
πιστῷbelievingDativeattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful, believing'; here 'the believing Abraham' — defined by his faith, the prototype of all believers.
ἈβραάμAbrahamDativedat. of association (indeclinable)
10

ὅσοι γὰρ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου εἰσὶν ὑπὸ κατάραν εἰσίν· γέγραπται γὰρ ὅτι ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὃς οὐκ ἐμμένει πᾶσιν τοῖς γεγραμμένοις ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τοῦ νόμου τοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτά.

For as many as are of works of the law are under a curse; for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not abide in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them."

Ground (negative side)γὰρThe counter-thesis: the law-path leads not to blessing but to curse, since Deuteronomy 27:26 binds the law-keeper to flawless, total obedience — which none renders.
ὅσοιas many asNominativecorrelative pronoun (subject)ὅσος: 'as many as, all who'; comprehensive — everyone relying on law-works.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (source/characterization)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξ (characterization)ἔργον: 'work'; οἱ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, the deliberate foil to οἱ ἐκ πίστεως of vv.7,9.
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive of source/definition
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)ὑπό + acc.: 'under (the power/sphere of)'; the curse as a dominating condition.
κατάρανa curseAccusativeobject of ὑπόκατάρα: 'curse'; the law's sanction on disobedience — the opposite of εὐλογία.
εἰσίνthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (resumptive copula)→ stative present
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωcitation formula→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'write'; γέγραπται, 'it stands written' — the standard formula for an authoritative Scripture citation.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (recitative, introduces quotation)
ἐπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (citation, Deut 27:26)ἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed, under a curse'; the verbal adj. opening the Deuteronomic curse-formula.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'every, all'; the curse is comprehensive — it admits no exceptions.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐμμένει)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐμμένειabidesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμμένωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary/gnomic presentἐμμένω: 'remain in, persevere in' (ἐν + μένω); the law demands continuous, settled adherence.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the things written' — the totality required is the crux of Paul's argument.
τοῖςthe thingsDativearticle (substantizes the participle)
γεγραμμένοιςwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Pl Neut · γράφωsubstantival participle (object of ἐμμένει)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'write'; the things permanently inscribed in the Torah.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῷtheDativearticle
βιβλίῳbookDativedat. of place (in the book)βιβλίον: 'book, scroll'; the written Torah as the binding document.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitiveattributive genitive (book of the law)νόμος: 'law'; the book whose every requirement must be kept.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with infinitive — purpose)
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, perform'; the curse falls on the failure to do all — obedience, not mere knowledge, is demanded.
αὐτάthemAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι
11

ὅτι δὲ ἐν νόμῳ οὐδεὶς δικαιοῦται παρὰ τῷ θεῷ δῆλον, ὅτι ὁ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται·

And that no one is justified before God by the law is clear, because "the righteous shall live by faith";

Scriptural proofδὲA second proof, from Habakkuk 2:4: since life-and-righteousness come 'by faith,' justification by law is excluded as self-evident.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause, subject of δῆλον)
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/sphere)ἐν νόμῳ: 'in/by the law' — the law as the supposed instrument of justification.
νόμῳlawDativeobject of ἐν (means/sphere)νόμος: 'law'; the Torah as the disqualified ground of righteousness.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (substantival)οὐδείς: 'no one'; the absolute negation — not even one is justified by law.
δικαιοῦταιis justifiedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (content clause)→ gnomic presentδικαιόω: 'justify, declare righteous'; the gnomic present states a timeless principle.
παρὰbeforepreposition + dative (in the judgment of)παρά + dat.: 'in the sight/judgment of'; the verdict that matters is God's.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeobject of παρά (the divine tribunal)
δῆλονis clearNominativepredicate adjective (copula 'is' implied)δῆλος: 'evident, plain'; the conclusion is self-evident given the Scripture cited.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introduces citation)
theNominativearticle (substantizes δίκαιος)
δίκαιοςrighteous oneNominativesubject of ζήσεται (citation, Hab 2:4)δίκαιος: 'righteous (one)'; the one declared right with God, who lives by faith.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (means/basis)ἐκ πίστεως: 'from/by faith'; whether construed with 'righteous' or 'shall live,' faith is the operative principle.
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis of life)πίστις: 'faith'; the same Habakkuk text that anchors Romans 1:17.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (citation)→ predictive/gnomic futureζάω: 'live'; eschatological life granted on the basis of faith, not law.
12

ὁ δὲ νόμος οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ πίστεως, ἀλλ' ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὰ ζήσεται ἐν αὐτοῖς.

But the law is not of faith; rather, "the one who does them shall live by them."

ContrastδὲLaw and faith operate on opposite principles: the law's maxim (Lev 18:5) is 'do and live,' not 'believe and live' — so the two cannot be combined.
theNominativearticle
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
νόμοςlawNominativesubjectνόμος: 'law'; here contrasted in principle with faith.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (source/characterization)ἐκ πίστεως: 'derived from faith'; the law does not operate on the faith-principle.
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (characterization)πίστις: 'faith'; the principle the law lacks.
ἀλλ'but ratherstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, on the contrary'; sets the law's own maxim against the faith-principle.
the oneNominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
ποιήσαςwho doesAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (subject; citation, Lev 18:5)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, perform'; the law's life is contingent on doing — performance, not trust.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ποιήσας
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; the law promises life — but only on the condition of doing, which v.10 has shown to be unattainable.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/sphere)ἐν αὐτοῖς: 'by/in them' — life is bound to the commands themselves, the law's own terms.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (means)
13

Χριστὸς ἡμᾶς ἐξηγόρασεν ἐκ τῆς κατάρας τοῦ νόμου γενόμενος ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν κατάρα, ὅτι γέγραπται· ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κρεμάμενος ἐπὶ ξύλου,

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us — because it is written: "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" —

Resolution (the cross)asyndetonThe gospel's answer to the curse: by hanging on the cross Christ took the law's curse upon himself in our place, exhausting it (Deut 21:23).
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Christ'; the asyndeton (no connective) lends solemn, dramatic weight to the redemptive declaration.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐξηγόρασενredeemedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαγοράζωmain verb→ constative aoristἐξαγοράζω: 'buy out, ransom, redeem' (ἐκ + ἀγοράζω, 'buy in the marketplace'); deliverance by purchase, at the price of Christ's death.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
κατάραςcurseGenitiveobject of ἐκ (that from which redeemed)κατάρα: 'curse'; the curse of v.10 from which Christ frees us.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitivegenitive of source (curse the law pronounces)νόμος: 'law'; the law's curse, not the law's blessing, is what Christ removes.
γενόμενοςhaving becomeAor Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιmeans/manner participle (how he redeemed)→ constative aorist (concurrent)γίνομαι: 'become'; Christ became 'a curse' — the means of redemption is his curse-bearing substitution.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (substitution/benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, in place of'; both representative and substitutionary — for us and instead of us.
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
κατάραa curseNominativepredicate nom. (complement of γενόμενος)κατάρα: 'curse'; abstract for concrete — 'accursed thing'; Christ identified with the curse itself.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωcitation formula→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'write'; γέγραπται introduces Deut 21:23.
ἐπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (citation, Deut 21:23)ἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed'; the same word as v.10 — Christ enters the very category of the cursed.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'everyone'; the universal scope of the Deuteronomic statute.
whoNominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
κρεμάμενοςhangsPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κρεμάννυμιsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (descriptive)κρεμάννυμι: 'hang, suspend'; Paul applies the law on the impaled/hanged criminal to crucifixion.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
ξύλουa treeGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)ξύλον: 'wood, tree, stake'; here the cross — the 'tree' of the curse-text read of the crucified.
14

ἵνα εἰς τὰ ἔθνη ἡ εὐλογία τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ γένηται ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ἵνα τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πνεύματος λάβωμεν διὰ τῆς πίστεως.

so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the nations in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Purpose (twofold)ἵναThe cross's saving purpose, in two parallel ἵνα-clauses: the Abrahamic blessing reaches the Gentiles, and the promised Spirit is received — both through faith.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the first purpose of the redemption of v.13.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/direction)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηnationsAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἔθνος: 'nation'; the Gentiles, recipients of the now-universalized blessing.
theNominativearticle
εὐλογίαblessingNominativesubject of γένηταιεὐλογία: 'blessing'; the antithesis of κατάρα — what the cross secures for the nations.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἈβραὰμAbrahamGenitivegenitive (blessing promised to Abraham; indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; 'the blessing of Abraham' = the blessing pledged in Gen 12:3.
γένηταιmight comeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιsubjunctive (purpose, after ἵνα)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be, happen'; the blessing comes about for the nations.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (incorporation/sphere)ἐν Χριστῷ: 'in Christ'; the sphere in which the blessing is realized.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)Χριστός: 'Christ'; union with him is the locus of all blessing.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
ἵναso thatconjunction (second purpose clause)ἵνα: the second, climactic purpose — the gift of the Spirit.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐπαγγελίανpromiseAccusativedirect object of λάβωμενἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the keyword of vv.14–29 — the pledged blessing now identified with the Spirit.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitiveepexegetical genitive (the promise = the Spirit)πνεῦμα: the Spirit; 'the promise that is the Spirit' — the Spirit of vv.2–5 is the substance of the promise.
λάβωμενwe might receiveAor Act Subj 1 Pl · λαμβάνωsubjunctive (purpose, after ἵνα)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive'; the Spirit is received, not earned — recalling ἐλάβετε of v.2.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith'; the article ('the faith') points back to the faith already in view — the sole channel of the Spirit.
15

Ἀδελφοί, κατὰ ἄνθρωπον λέγω· ὅμως ἀνθρώπου κεκυρωμένην διαθήκην οὐδεὶς ἀθετεῖ ἢ ἐπιδιατάσσεται.

Brothers, I speak according to human practice: even with a man's covenant, once it has been ratified, no one annuls it or adds to it.

Analogy (new movement)asyndetonA fresh argument from everyday law: a duly ratified human will or covenant is inviolable — setting up the priority of God's covenant with Abraham over the later law.
ἈδελφοίBrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warmer address marks a turn from rebuke to reasoned appeal.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)κατὰ ἄνθρωπον: 'in human terms' — Paul flags the argument as drawn from common human experience.
ἄνθρωπονhuman practiceAccusativeobject of κατά (standard/manner)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the idiom = 'speaking the way people do.'
λέγωI speakPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ instantaneous/customary presentλέγω: 'say, speak'; introduces the illustrative analogy.
ὅμωςevenadverb/particle (concessive — 'even, likewise')ὅμως: usually 'nevertheless'; here 'even (in the case of)' / 'likewise' — introducing the human parallel.
ἀνθρώπουof a manGenitivegenitive of source/possessionἄνθρωπος: 'human'; 'a man's covenant' — a merely human legal instrument, yet binding.
κεκυρωμένηνhaving been ratifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · κυρόωattributive participle (modifies διαθήκην)→ intensive perfect (settled validity)κυρόω: 'ratify, confirm, make valid' (cf. κύριος); the perfect stresses the abiding force of the ratified document.
διαθήκηνcovenant/willAccusativedirect object of ἀθετεῖδιαθήκη: 'covenant, testament, will'; Paul exploits the term's double sense — a binding settlement, divine or human.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (substantival)οὐδείς: 'no one'; the inviolability is absolute.
ἀθετεῖannulsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀθετέωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀθετέω: 'set aside, nullify, declare void'; once ratified, a covenant cannot be canceled.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἐπιδιατάσσεταιadds to itPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιδιατάσσομαιmain verb (coordinate)→ gnomic presentἐπιδιατάσσομαι: 'add a codicil, insert further provisions' (ἐπί + διατάσσομαι); nor may one supplement it after the fact.
16

τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ ἐρρέθησαν αἱ ἐπαγγελίαι καὶ τῷ σπέρματι αὐτοῦ. οὐ λέγει· καὶ τοῖς σπέρμασιν, ὡς ἐπὶ πολλῶν, ἀλλ' ὡς ἐφ' ἑνός· καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου, ὅς ἐστιν Χριστός.

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It does not say, "and to seeds," as of many, but as of one: "and to your seed," who is Christ.

Application of the analogyδὲApplying the analogy: the promises were made to Abraham and his 'seed' — Paul reads the singular collective noun as pointing ultimately to one, Christ.
τῷtoDativearticle
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
ἈβραὰμAbrahamDativedat. of recipient (indeclinable)
ἐρρέθησανwere spokenAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb (divine passive)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. pass. ἐρρέθην): 'be spoken/said'; God spoke the promises — the divine passive points to him as speaker.
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἐπαγγελίαιpromisesNominativesubjectἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the Abrahamic pledges (Gen 12; 13; 15; 17; 22), repeatedly given.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῷto theDativearticle
σπέρματιseedDativedat. of recipient (coordinate)σπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; a collective singular — the hinge of Paul's grammatical argument.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
οὐnotnegative particle
λέγειit saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (subject 'Scripture/God' understood)→ customary presentλέγω: 'say'; Scripture/God 'does not say' — Paul presses the precise wording.
καὶandconjunction (within cited phrase)
τοῖςto theDativearticle (within cited phrase)
σπέρμασινseedsDativedat. (the rejected plural)σπέρμα (pl. σπέρματα): 'seeds'; the plural Scripture did not use — the point of Paul's contrast.
ὡςascomparative particle
ἐπὶofpreposition + genitive (reference)ἐπί + gen. here = 'in the case of, with reference to.'
πολλῶνmanyGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival adj.)πολύς: 'many'; the plural would imply many descendants, but the text is singular.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ὡςascomparative particle
ἐφ'ofpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἑνόςoneGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival numeral)εἷς: 'one'; the singular 'seed' points to a single offspring — Christ.
καὶandconjunction (within citation, Gen)
τῷto theDativearticle (citation)
σπέρματίseedDativedat. of recipient (citation)σπέρμα: 'seed'; the cited singular, 'to your seed.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (citation)
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, identification)→ stative present
ΧριστόςChristNominativepredicate nominative (identification)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the singular 'seed' is identified as Christ, in whom the promise concentrates.
17

τοῦτο δὲ λέγω· διαθήκην προκεκυρωμένην ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ μετὰ τετρακόσια καὶ τριάκοντα ἔτη γεγονὼς νόμος οὐκ ἀκυροῖ, εἰς τὸ καταργῆσαι τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν.

This is what I mean: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

Conclusion of the analogyδὲThe point made plain: God's prior, ratified covenant cannot be voided by a law arriving centuries afterward — the promise retains its force.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (forward-pointing)
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
λέγωI meanPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ customary presentλέγω: 'say, mean'; τοῦτο λέγω = 'my point is this.'
διαθήκηνa covenantAccusativedirect object of ἀκυροῖδιαθήκη: 'covenant'; the Abrahamic covenant, already ratified.
προκεκυρωμένηνpreviously ratifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · προκυρόωattributive participle (modifies διαθήκην)→ intensive perfect (settled prior validity)προκυρόω: 'ratify beforehand' (προ- + κυρόω); the covenant was validated long before the law.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)ὑπό + gen.: marks the personal agent — God himself ratified it.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of agency (object of ὑπό)θεός: God; that the ratifier is God, not a man, makes the covenant all the more inviolable.
theNominativearticle (with νόμος)
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (time)μετά + acc.: 'after'; the law's lateness is the crux.
τετρακόσιαfour hundredAccusativeattributive numeralτετρακόσιοι: 'four hundred'; the figure (with the LXX of Exod 12:40) underscoring the temporal gap.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τριάκονταthirtyAccusativeattributive numeral (indeclinable)τριάκοντα: 'thirty'; 430 years — long after the covenant was ratified.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of time (extent/interval)ἔτος: 'year'; the span between covenant and law.
γεγονὼςwhich camePerf Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γίνομαιattributive participle (modifies νόμος)→ intensive perfect (the law's later origin)γίνομαι: 'come into being'; the law 'came to be' generations after the covenant.
νόμοςlawNominativesubject of ἀκυροῖνόμος: 'law'; the Sinai law, the later arrival that cannot override the covenant.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀκυροῖannulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκυρόωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀκυρόω: 'invalidate, render void' (ἀ- + κυρόω); the law cannot un-ratify what God ratified.
εἰςso aspreposition + accusative (result/purpose, w/ articular inf.)εἰς τό + inf.: marks result/purpose — 'with the effect of nullifying.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive)
καταργῆσαιto nullifyAor Act Inf · καταργέωarticular infinitive (result/purpose)→ constative aoristκαταργέω: 'render inoperative, abolish' (κατά + ἀργέω); the law does not cancel out the promise's working.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐπαγγελίανpromiseAccusativedirect object of καταργῆσαιἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the promise stands secure, unannulled by the later law.
18

εἰ γὰρ ἐκ νόμου ἡ κληρονομία, οὐκέτι ἐξ ἐπαγγελίας· τῷ δὲ Ἀβραὰμ δι' ἐπαγγελίας κεχάρισται ὁ θεός.

For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by promise; but God has graciously given it to Abraham through a promise.

Ground (mutual exclusion)γὰρLaw and promise are mutually exclusive as bases of inheritance; since God gave it to Abraham by promise, it cannot rest on law.
εἰifconjunction (conditional, first-class for argument)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (source/basis)ἐκ νόμου: 'on the basis of law' — the rejected basis.
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis)νόμος: 'law'; one of two mutually exclusive grounds for the inheritance.
theNominativearticle
κληρονομίαinheritanceNominativesubject (verb 'is' implied)κληρονομία: 'inheritance'; the patrimony pledged to Abraham — the blessing/Spirit as the heirs' portion.
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (logical, not temporal)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; logical — 'then it is not, after all, by promise.'
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/basis)
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitiveobject of ἐξ (basis)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the other, true basis — incompatible with law.
τῷtoDativearticle
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
ἈβραὰμAbrahamDativedat. of recipient (indeclinable)
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means)
ἐπαγγελίαςa promiseGenitiveobject of διά (means)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the means by which God bestowed the inheritance.
κεχάρισταιhas graciously givenPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · χαρίζομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding gift)χαρίζομαι: 'give freely, grant as a favor' (from χάρις); the perfect — the gift, freely made, abides in force.
theNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the gracious giver — the inheritance is gift, not wage.
19

Τί οὖν ὁ νόμος; τῶν παραβάσεων χάριν προσετέθη, ἄχρις οὗ ἔλθῃ τὸ σπέρμα ᾧ ἐπήγγελται, διαταγεὶς δι' ἀγγέλων ἐν χειρὶ μεσίτου.

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Anticipated objectionοὖνPaul fields the inevitable question: if the promise is primary, what is the law for? It was a later, temporary, mediated addition to deal with transgressions.
Τίwhy / whatNominativeinterrogative (predicate; verb elided)τίς: 'what? why?'; 'What then is the law (for)?' — the objection stated tersely.
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'then'; draws out the implied difficulty from vv.15–18.
theNominativearticle
νόμοςlawNominativesubject (of elided copula)νόμος: 'law'; the topic of the objection and answer.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
παραβάσεωνtransgressionsGenitivegenitive (with χάριν — 'for the sake of')παράβασις: 'transgression, overstepping' (παρά + βαίνω); the law turns sin into defined, accountable transgression.
χάρινbecause ofimproper preposition + genitive (cause/purpose)χάριν: 'for the sake of, because of' (postpositive); the law was added to address transgressions — to expose/restrain them.
προσετέθηwas addedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (divine passive)→ constative aoristπροστίθημι: 'add, place beside' (πρός + τίθημι); the law is an addition to the prior covenant, not its foundation.
ἄχριςuntilpreposition/conjunction (temporal limit)ἄχρι(ς) οὗ: 'until'; signals the law's built-in time limit — its tenure was provisional.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἄχρις)
ἔλθῃshould comeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the law's term runs out at the coming of the Seed.
τὸtheNominativearticle
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject of ἔλθῃσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; the promised Seed of v.16 — Christ, whose coming ends the law's custodial era.
to whomDativerelative pronoun (dat. of indirect object)
ἐπήγγελταιthe promise had been madePerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαγγέλλομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ intensive perfect (standing promise)ἐπαγγέλλομαι: 'promise'; the perfect — the promise made to the Seed still stands.
διαταγεὶςhaving been ordainedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · διατάσσωadverbial participle (manner — modifies the law's giving)→ constative aoristδιατάσσω: 'ordain, arrange, prescribe'; the law was 'put in order' through intermediaries — itself a mark of its inferiority.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (intermediate agency)
ἀγγέλωνangelsGenitiveobject of διά (intermediate agency)ἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; Jewish tradition held the law was mediated by angels (cf. Acts 7:53; Heb 2:2) — an indirect, lesser giving.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/agency, Semitic 'by the hand of')ἐν χειρί: a Septuagintism, 'by the hand of' = 'through the agency of.'
χειρὶthe handDativeobject of ἐν (means)χείρ: 'hand'; in the idiom, the instrument/agency of the mediator.
μεσίτουof a mediatorGenitivegenitive of source/possession (the mediator = Moses)μεσίτης: 'mediator, go-between' (from μέσος); Moses stood between God and Israel — another sign the law is mediated, not direct.
20

ὁ δὲ μεσίτης ἑνὸς οὐκ ἔστιν, ὁ δὲ θεὸς εἷς ἐστιν.

Now a mediator is not for one party, but God is one.

Inference about mediationδὲA compressed maxim: mediation implies two parties, but the promise rests on the one God who gives it directly — underscoring the promise's superiority.
theNominativearticle
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
μεσίτηςmediatorNominativesubjectμεσίτης: 'mediator'; a mediator by definition stands between two — implying the law involved two parties and conditions.
ἑνὸςof oneGenitivegenitive (of relation — 'mediator of/for one')εἷς: 'one'; 'a mediator is not [a mediator] of one [party]' — mediation presupposes plurality.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
theNominativearticle
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the Shema's 'one God' (Deut 6:4) — the promise depends on the one God alone, not a two-party arrangement.
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (substantival numeral)εἷς: 'one'; God's oneness grounds the promise's unilateral, unconditional character.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
21

ὁ οὖν νόμος κατὰ τῶν ἐπαγγελιῶν τοῦ θεοῦ; μὴ γένοιτο. εἰ γὰρ ἐδόθη νόμος ὁ δυνάμενος ζῳοποιῆσαι, ὄντως ἐκ νόμου ἂν ἦν ἡ δικαιοσύνη.

Is the law then against the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would indeed have been by the law.

Anticipated objection (rebuttal)οὖνPaul rejects the inference that law opposes promise: the law was never meant to give life; had it been able, righteousness would have come by it — but it cannot.
theNominativearticle
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
νόμοςlawNominativesubject (of elided copula)νόμος: 'law'; subject of the rhetorical question.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against'; is the law opposed to the promises?
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελιῶνpromisesGenitiveobject of κατά (opposition)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the promises the law might seem to contradict.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source (promises from God)
μὴnotnegative particle (with optative)
γένοιτοmay it beAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (optative of strong denial)→ volitive optativeγίνομαι: μὴ γένοιτο, 'may it never be! by no means!' — Paul's emphatic repudiation of a false inference.
εἰifconjunction (contrary-to-fact condition)εἰ … ἂν ἦν: a second-class (contrary-to-fact) condition — the premise is known to be false.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐδόθηhad been givenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (protasis, divine passive)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the law was indeed given — but not as a life-giving instrument.
νόμοςa lawNominativesubject of ἐδόθηνόμος: 'law'; a hypothetical life-giving law — which the actual law is not.
the oneNominativearticle (substantizes the participle)
δυνάμενοςablePres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δύναμαιattributive participle (modifies νόμος)→ present (capacity)δύναμαι: 'be able, have power'; the crux — the law lacks the power to make alive.
ζῳοποιῆσαιto give lifeAor Act Inf · ζῳοποιέωcomplementary infinitive (of δυνάμενος)→ constative aoristζῳοποιέω: 'make alive, give life' (ζωή + ποιέω); only God/Spirit gives life — not the law.
ὄντωςindeedadverb (emphasis)ὄντως: 'really, truly'; emphasizes the hypothetical result.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (source/basis)
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis)νόμος: 'law'; the hypothetical (false) source of righteousness.
ἂνwouldparticle (apodosis of contrary-to-fact)ἄν: marks the contingent apodosis — 'would have been.'
ἦνhave beenImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (apodosis)→ imperfect (contrary-to-fact)
theNominativearticle
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativesubject of ἦνδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; would have come by law if law could give life — but it does not, so it does not.
22

ἀλλὰ συνέκλεισεν ἡ γραφὴ τὰ πάντα ὑπὸ ἁμαρτίαν, ἵνα ἡ ἐπαγγελία ἐκ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοθῇ τοῖς πιστεύουσιν.

But the Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Positive function of ScriptureἀλλὰThe law's real role, stated positively: by confining all under sin, Scripture drove humanity to the promise received by faith in Christ — its purpose, not its failure.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, on the contrary'; turns from what the law cannot do to what Scripture actually did.
συνέκλεισενimprisonedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συγκλείωmain verb→ constative aoristσυγκλείω: 'shut up together, enclose, confine' (σύν + κλείω); as in a net or prison — all are locked up under sin's power.
theNominativearticle
γραφὴScriptureNominativesubjectγραφή: 'Scripture'; personified (as v.8) for God speaking — Scripture pronounced the verdict of universal sin.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj., neut. pl. — 'everything/everyone')πᾶς: 'all'; the neuter 'all things' embraces the whole human situation — none excepted.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativeobject of ὑπό (dominating power)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; here a power that imprisons — the condition from which only the promise frees.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the confinement under sin serves a saving purpose.
theNominativearticle
ἐπαγγελίαpromiseNominativesubject of δοθῇἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; here = the promised blessing/inheritance, given to faith.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (means/basis)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis)πίστις: 'faith'; the means by which the promise is given.
Ἰησοῦin JesusGenitiveobjective genitive (faith directed to Jesus)Ἰησοῦς: Jesus; πίστις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ — most likely 'faith in Jesus Christ' (objective), the saving object of faith.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition (objective genitive)
δοθῇmight be givenAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · δίδωμιsubjunctive (purpose, divine passive)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the promise is given — gift, not earned, received by believing.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes the participle)
πιστεύουσινwho believePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (dat. of recipient)→ customary present (those characterized by believing)πιστεύω: 'believe'; the recipients of the promise are defined simply as 'the believing ones.'
23

Πρὸ τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν ὑπὸ νόμον ἐφρουρούμεθα συγκλειόμενοι εἰς τὴν μέλλουσαν πίστιν ἀποκαλυφθῆναι.

Now before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed.

Salvation-historical narrativeδὲA redemptive-historical 'before': in the era preceding faith's arrival, the law functioned as a holding-pen, guarding and confining until the coming revelation.
Πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)πρό: 'before'; πρὸ τοῦ + inf. = 'before (the coming).'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with infinitive)
δὲnowdevelopmental conjunction
ἐλθεῖνcameAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal, w/ πρό)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'the coming of faith' marks the epochal turning point.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πίστινfaithAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveπίστις: 'faith'; here 'the faith' as a salvation-historical reality — the dispensation of faith inaugurated in Christ.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)ὑπὸ νόμον: 'under law' — the key phrase for the pre-Christ condition.
νόμονlawAccusativeobject of ὑπό (subjection)νόμος: 'law'; the regime under which we were confined.
ἐφρουρούμεθαwe were kept in custodyImpf Pass Indic 1 Pl · φρουρέωmain verb→ customary/durative imperfectφρουρέω: 'guard, keep under guard, hold in protective custody' (a military term); the imperfect pictures the ongoing confinement.
συγκλειόμενοιbeing confinedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συγκλείωadverbial participle (manner/attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent)συγκλείω: 'shut up, confine' (cf. v.22); reinforces the image of being penned in.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)εἰς here = 'with a view to, for'; the confinement looked toward the revelation of faith.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
μέλλουσανthat was to bePres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · μέλλωattributive participle (modifies πίστιν)→ futuristic present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be destined'; the faith 'soon to be revealed' — its disclosure was certain and near.
πίστινfaithAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)πίστις: 'faith'; the coming order of faith toward which the law's custody pointed.
ἀποκαλυφθῆναιto be revealedAor Pass Inf · ἀποκαλύπτωepexegetical infinitive (with μέλλουσαν)→ constative aoristἀποκαλύπτω: 'reveal, uncover' (ἀπό + καλύπτω); faith was a hidden reality awaiting eschatological disclosure in Christ.
24

ὥστε ὁ νόμος παιδαγωγὸς ἡμῶν γέγονεν εἰς Χριστόν, ἵνα ἐκ πίστεως δικαιωθῶμεν·

So the law became our guardian until Christ, so that we might be justified by faith.

Conclusion (the guardian image)ὥστεThe decisive image: the law was our παιδαγωγός — the household slave who escorted and disciplined the child — leading us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
ὥστεsoinferential/consecutive conjunctionὥστε: 'so, therefore'; draws the conclusion of vv.23.
theNominativearticle
νόμοςlawNominativesubjectνόμος: 'law'; cast in the role of the παιδαγωγός.
παιδαγωγὸςguardianNominativepredicate nominativeπαιδαγωγός: not a 'teacher' but the slave-attendant (παῖς + ἄγω) who escorted a freeborn boy to school and supervised his conduct — a temporary, disciplinary custodian.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship/possession
γέγονενbecamePerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ intensive perfect (resultant role)γίνομαι: 'become'; the law took on this custodial function — the perfect viewing its resultant, defining role.
εἰςuntil / to lead topreposition + accusative (goal — temporal and/or directional)εἰς Χριστόν: 'until Christ' (temporal) or 'to lead us to Christ' (directional) — the παιδαγωγός's term ends at the goal.
ΧριστόνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal/terminus)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the terminus of the law's custodial role.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the goal of the whole arrangement — justification by faith.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (basis/means)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis)πίστις: 'faith'; the basis of the justification toward which the law led.
δικαιωθῶμενwe might be justifiedAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · δικαιόωsubjunctive (purpose, divine passive)→ constative aoristδικαιόω: 'justify, declare righteous'; the divine passive — God justifies, on the basis of faith.
25

ἐλθούσης δὲ τῆς πίστεως οὐκέτι ὑπὸ παιδαγωγόν ἐσμεν.

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Turn of the agesδὲThe decisive 'now': with faith's arrival the custodial era closes — the guardian's tenure is over, and believers have come of age in Christ.
ἐλθούσηςhaving comeAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · ἔρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aorist (antecedent)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the genitive absolute marks the epochal arrival of faith.
δὲbutcontrastive conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitivesubject of the genitive absoluteπίστις: 'faith'; 'the faith' as the new salvation-historical order, now arrived.
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (time)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; here genuinely temporal — the guardian's era has ended.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (subjection)
παιδαγωγόνa guardianAccusativeobject of ὑπόπαιδαγωγός: the custodial slave of v.24; believers are no longer in his charge — they are sons, not minors.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
26

Πάντες γὰρ υἱοὶ θεοῦ ἐστε διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ground (new status)γὰρThe ground for being free of the guardian: full sonship. Note the shift to 'you all' — every believer, Jew or Gentile, is a son of God through faith in Christ.
ΠάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'all'; emphatic and inclusive — no class of believer is excluded from sonship.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; full-status sonship — the mature heir, contrasted with the minor under a guardian.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationshipθεός: God; sonship to God himself, not merely to Abraham.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith'; the channel of sonship — 'the faith' just shown to have come.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)ἐν Χριστῷ: 'in Christ'; the sphere of union in which sonship holds.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)Χριστός: 'Christ'; union with him is the locus of the new status.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
27

ὅσοι γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἐβαπτίσθητε, Χριστὸν ἐνεδύσασθε.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Ground (baptismal union)γὰρWhy all are sons: baptism into Christ means being clothed with Christ — a complete identification with him that grounds the shared status of v.26.
ὅσοιas many asNominativecorrelative pronoun (subject)ὅσος: 'as many as, all who'; comprehensive — every baptized believer.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (incorporation)εἰς Χριστόν: 'into Christ'; baptism that incorporates into him.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς (incorporation)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the one into whom believers are baptized.
ἐβαπτίσθητεwere baptizedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristβαπτίζω: 'dip, immerse, baptize'; the definite event of initiation into Christ.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativedirect object of ἐνεδύσασθεΧριστός: 'Christ'; the fronted object — Christ himself is the garment 'put on.'
ἐνεδύσασθεput onAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐνδύωmain verb→ constative aoristἐνδύω (mid.): 'clothe oneself, put on (a garment)'; a vivid metaphor of assuming Christ's identity, as one dons a robe.
28

οὐκ ἔνι Ἰουδαῖος οὐδὲ Ἕλλην, οὐκ ἔνι δοῦλος οὐδὲ ἐλεύθερος, οὐκ ἔνι ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ· πάντες γὰρ ὑμεῖς εἷς ἐστε ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Consequence (unity)asyndetonThe social corollary of baptismal union: the great dividing lines — ethnic, social, sexual — lose their status-defining force; all are one in Christ.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔνιthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔνειμι (ἔνι)main verb (impersonal — 'there exists')→ stative presentἔνι: shortened form of ἔνεστιν, 'there is in/among'; emphatic — such distinctions have no place within Christ's body.
ἸουδαῖοςJewNominativesubjectἸουδαῖος: 'Jew, Judean'; the ethnic-religious distinction the agitators prized.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
ἝλληνGreekNominativesubject (coordinate)Ἕλλην: 'Greek, Gentile'; representative of the non-Jew.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔνιthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔνειμι (ἔνι)main verb (impersonal)→ stative present
δοῦλοςslaveNominativesubjectδοῦλος: 'slave'; the social distinction abolished in status before God.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
ἐλεύθεροςfreeNominativesubject (coordinate)ἐλεύθερος: 'free(man)'; the counterpart to the slave.
οὐκnonegative particle
ἔνιthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔνειμι (ἔνι)main verb (impersonal)→ stative present
ἄρσενmaleNominativesubjectἄρσην: 'male'; the wording (ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ, 'male and female') echoes Gen 1:27 LXX — note the shift from οὐδέ to καί.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (echoing Gen 1:27)καί: 'and'; here joining the Genesis pair 'male and female,' not the expected οὐδέ.
θῆλυfemaleNominativesubject (coordinate)θῆλυς: 'female'; the creational distinction — real, yet not a basis of standing in Christ.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adjective)πᾶς: 'all'; the inclusive sweep — every believer.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (substantival numeral — masc. 'one [person]')εἷς: 'one'; the masculine 'one' — a single new corporate person in Christ, not merely 'one thing.'
ἐστεarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the unity is constituted by common union with him.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
29

εἰ δὲ ὑμεῖς Χριστοῦ, ἄρα τοῦ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα ἐστέ, κατ' ἐπαγγελίαν κληρονόμοι.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

Conclusion of the chapterδὲThe argument's climax: belonging to Christ — the singular 'seed' (v.16) — makes believers Abraham's seed and heirs of the promise, full circle from v.6.
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition — assumed true)εἰ: 'if'; a first-class condition — 'if, as is the case.'
δὲanddevelopmental conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ΧριστοῦChrist'sGenitivepredicate genitive of possession (copula implied)Χριστός: 'Christ'; 'you are Christ's' — belonging wholly to him.
ἄραtheninferential particleἄρα: 'then, consequently'; draws the conclusion of the entire chapter.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἈβραὰμAbraham'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ἀβραάμ: Abraham; believers, in Christ the Seed, are reckoned Abraham's seed — the inclusio with v.7.
σπέρμαseedNominativepredicate nominativeσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; not by descent or law but by union with the one Seed, Christ.
ἐστέyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
κατ'according topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)κατά + acc.: 'according to'; the inheritance is held on the basis of promise, not law.
ἐπαγγελίανpromiseAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the chapter's keyword closes the argument — heirs by promise, the very point of v.18.
κληρονόμοιheirsNominativepredicate nominative (apposition to σπέρμα)κληρονόμος: 'heir' (κλῆρος + νέμομαι); to be the seed is to inherit — leading directly into the sonship/heirship of ch. 4.