Why does Galatians 2:21 say that Christ might have died in vain?

In Galatians 2:21, the apostle Paul writes, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (NKJV). Here, Paul emphasizes the necessity of God’s grace and the futility of legalism.

Galatians 2 begins by recounting a confrontation between Paul and Peter in Antioch. Peter was fellowshipping with Gentile Christians, as was fitting. But when certain Jews arrived in town, Peter separated himself from the Gentiles because he feared criticism (Galatians 2:11–12). Paul noticed Peter’s hypocrisy and confronted him publicly because Peter’s actions implied that Gentiles needed to adopt Jewish laws and customs to be accepted by God. Such a mindset as Peter displayed would do damage to the concept of grace.

This incident prompted Paul to clarify the gospel. He writes, “A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ . . . for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16, NKJV). To be justified means to be declared righteous in God’s sight. Justification cannot be achieved through obedience to the law; it is impossible for us to work our way to salvation. Justification only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul does not “set aside the grace of God” (Galatians 2:21, NKJV). To do so would mean treating God’s grace as unnecessary or insufficient. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Without it, we could not be saved. When sinners attempt to be justified by works, they indirectly say that God’s grace is not enough to save them.

Paul defends the integrity of the gospel. God’s saving grace in Christ is not a backup plan; it is the only plan. Rejecting this grace in favor of law-keeping effectively denies the cross.

Suppose justification and righteousness could come through law-keeping. If that were true, “Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:21, NKJV). The Incarnation of the Son of God, His humiliation, and death were all unnecessary if we could have saved ourselves. If all we needed was the law to follow, then Christ died for nothing. If sinners can be made right with God through law-keeping, Jesus’ death was a tragically needless miscalculation. Paul argues for the opposite: sinners cannot justify themselves, and Jesus’ death on the cross was an absolute necessity.

Scripture repeatedly affirms the necessity of Jesus’ death for salvation and the imputation of righteousness. In Romans 3:20–22, Paul declares, “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight. . . . But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed . . . even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (NKJV). Elsewhere, Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, NKJV).

Christ accomplished what the law never could. He atoned for our sins and gave righteousness to all who believe in Him. Galatians 3:24 explains that “the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (NKJV). Justification by faith comes exclusively through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

Relying on law-keeping for justification is a denial of the gospel. We intentionally or unintentionally nullify the cross by measuring ourselves by our performance rather than God’s grace. Justification is a gift, not a reward. It is received, not achieved. Christ does not supplement our efforts—He did not die to mostly save us, leaving us to do the rest of the work. No, Jesus “is able to save completely those who come to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25). He is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).

Believers should respond to God’s grace in Christ by gratefully living in the freedom that grace brings. Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20) and sustains us by the Holy Spirit. This is not because of good works but because of His grace.