Luke 1:37 Meaning of No Word from God Will Ever Fail

Luke 1:37
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Explanation and Commentary of Luke 1:37

The angel Gabriel had been sent by God to a virgin, Mary, who would be the mother of Jesus. He would be the Savior of the world, fully God, and fully man. In order for this to be the case, he would have Mary as his mother and God as his Father. In addition, the angel also told her that her cousin, Elizabeth, who was already past the age of bearing children and had always been barren, would bear a son as well. This boy would grow up to be John the Baptist.

“How can this be” (Lk 1:34), was the question posed by young Mary. It was not a lack of faith, but of understanding. Often, we don’t understand how God is to accomplish his purposes, but he always does, because God, who made the Laws of nature, can bend them at his will. God can heal the sick, raise the dead, and drive out the darkness. God, who makes the weather, can command it at will. God can multiply fishes and loaves out of thin air, and God can save the world, and has, through the willing sacrifice of his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who was in very nature God; fully God, and fully man.

Those who have given their lives to Christ do not just pray a prayer once for all to be saved. They sign on to become disciples, students of Jesus, and servants of God. God will command us, and sometimes what he desires, for his glory and our good, will seem impossible, but “nothing will be impossible with God.” And our response should be the same as Mary’s: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38).

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Luke 1:37

#1 “For nothing…”
There is absolutely nothing that God is unable to do, barring those things which are contrary to his nature, for he is perfect. It would have seemed that to pardon sinful man would be the one thing that was impossible, for he will not defy his own justice and holiness. The only reason he cannot is that he will not, owing to the perfection of his nature and character. We are called to forgive because God is God of justice and makes all things right. However, he even managed to forgive sinners by the incredible sacrifice of his own Son, his own self. So, truly, nothing is impossible for God.

#2 “…will be impossible…”
It is interesting that the angel says, “will be,” rather than, “is.” This shows that there is much to do in the course of the redemptive history of humanity. There are still yet chapters to be written by the Church, and then comes the fulfillment of all things. Jesus Christ will indeed return, for “nothing will be impossible with God.”

#3 “…with God.”
Gabriel might well have said, “for God,” but he said, “with God.” Of course, God can do all things. But here we are to perhaps understand that with him we can be sure that anything he calls us to according to his will, we can do as we abide in him (Jn 15:5). We can do nothing apart from him, but we can do anything with him and in him.

Expert Overview of Luke Ch. 1-9

Biblical Translations of Luke 1:37

NIV
For no word from God will ever fail.

NLT
For the word of God will never fail.

ESV
For nothing will be impossible with God.

KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.

NKJV
For with God nothing will be impossible.

Luke 1:37 Meaning and Commentary

Author Bio
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.