What Does Galatians 3:6 Mean in the King James?
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Trust in God is counted as alignment itself.
THE MEANING
Abraham’s name carries the sense “father of a multitude,” and this verse joins that expansive name to trust in God. For you now, trust is counted as alignment; it is not described as a reward for a record of deeds.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that you must earn alignment before your trust can count dissolves here: trust itself is reckoned as alignment.
THE ROOT
ἐπίστευσεν
episteusen
GROWS FROM
πιστ-
pist-
Firm, reliable, trustworthy.
The word translated “believed” carries the sense of placing trust in what is firm. The verse connects that trust, not a completed record of achievement, with being counted as aligned.
ALSO GROWS
pistis: Trust; reliance, leaning your full weight on another.
πίστις
It names the trust expressed by Abraham’s believing.
pistos: Firm, steady, trustworthy.
πιστός
It shows the quality of what trust rests on: what can bear the weight placed upon it.
δικαιοσύνη
dikaiosynē
GROWS FROM
δικ-
dik-
Rightness, justice, being in proper alignment.
“righteousness” in this verse is dikaiosynē. The word carries the sense of alignment, not merely a moral label. Here that alignment is what trust is counted as, linking the inner act of reliance with one’s standing before God.
ALSO GROWS
dikaios: Just, right, aligned.
δίκαιος
It describes the state named by “righteousness” in the verse.
dikaioō: To set right or declare just.
δικαιόω
It shares the alignment language that the verse associates with trust.
ἐλογίσθη
elogisthē
GROWS FROM
λογ-
log-
To reckon, count, or calculate.
“Accounted” preserves an image of something entered and reckoned: trust is counted as alignment. The verse’s language joins reliance and standing in a single act of reckoning.
ALSO GROWS
logizomai: To reckon, count, or consider.
λογίζομαι
It is the verb family behind “accounted,” keeping the act of reckoning visible.
logismos: A calculation or reckoning.
λογισμός
It echoes the verse’s accounting image: what is counted is alignment.
THE PATTERN
Trust in God is reckoned as alignment, rather than as a wage earned by prior work.
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.THE THREAD
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.Romans repeats the same accounting language and the same link between trust and righteousness. It makes explicit that alignment is counted through trust, not presented as payment for work.
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