19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
— Galatians 2:19–20 (NKJV) |
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A life changed from within |
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Paul's words in Galatians point to something deeper than behavior change. Following Jesus is not only about what we do—it reshapes who we are. To be "crucified with Christ" means the old way of living—driven by self, striving, or control—is no longer what defines us. In its place is a new life, one shaped by faith and sustained by Christ Himself. As we prepare for Holy Week, this passage invites us to consider what it looks like to live not by our own strength, but through Him. |
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Look Inside: What It Means to Live by Faith |
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The NKJV Enduring Word Study Bible, available with Bible Gateway Plus, explains: 2:20 Paul clarified that he "died to the law" (v. 19) when Jesus died on the cross, as Jesus died in his place. We can live out the new life Jesus gives us only by faith—not by law-keeping. Flesh here means the whole nature of man, including our reason and instincts. The faith Paul lived by was not faith in himself, in the law, or in what he could earn or deserve before God. It was faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. |
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This insight helps us see that the Christian life isn't sustained by trying harder, but by trusting more deeply. To live by faith is to rely on Christ's strength instead of our own—to follow Him day by day, even when it requires surrender. It's a quiet, ongoing dependence that shapes how we think, respond, and live. Passages like this become clearer when you can explore trusted Study Bible notes and commentary beside the verses you're reading—helping you understand not only what Scripture says, but how it transforms your life. With Bible Gateway Plus, resources like the NKJV Enduring Word Study Bible appear alongside the text—so you can pause, reflect, and go deeper as you prepare your heart for Holy Week. |
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