Died to the law, crucified with Christ (2:19–21)

Says Galatians 2:19 reads ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω (egō gar dia nomou nomō apethanon hina theō zēsō): two datives, “to the law” and “to God,” set dying against living. Abbott-Smith lists this verse for anarthrous νόμος “of the Mosaic law in its quality as law”.

Says In 2:20 (SBLGNT 2:19), Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι (Christō synestaurōmai, “I have been crucified with Christ”) is a perfect passive; Abbott-Smith lists this use “of the mystical death of the Christian with Christ”. Then ζῶ δὲ οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός (zō de ouketi egō zē de en emoi Christos). ἐν σαρκί is “in the flesh,” the BSB’s “in the body”. The Son of God is τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ (tou agapēsantos me kai paradontos heauton hyper emou); compare 1:4, τοῦ δόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ.

Says Galatians 2:21 has οὐκ ἀθετῶ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ (ouk athetō tēn charin tou theou) (ἀθετέω, “to nullify, make void”) and ἄρα Χριστὸς δωρεὰν ἀπέθανεν (ara Christos dōrean apethanen), with δωρεάν “in vain, uselessly”.

Implies The believer’s life is now Christ’s life in him, grounded in union with Christ in His death; Christ’s love is personal, “for me,” as 1:4 says “for our sins.”

Uncertain How Paul died to the law “through the law” is not explained here. No lean is taken here.