Galatians 3:12. And the law is not of faith:— As the Apostle shews here, that there was no obtaining life by the law, without an immaculate obedience; faith, which is used here in opposition to it, must signify a firm belief of the promise of God, and acting according to it, in a dependance upon Christ only for righteousness and salvation; which is the way of justification and salvation revealed by the gospel. read more
10. Confirmation of :-. They who depend on the works of the law cannot share the blessing, for they are under the curse "written," :-, Septuagint. PERFECT obedience is required by the words, "in all things." CONTINUAL obedience by the word, "continueth." No man renders this obedience (compare Romans 3:19; Romans 3:20). It is observable, Paul quotes Scripture to the Jews who were conversant with it, as in Epistle to the Hebrews, as said or spoken; but to the Gentiles, as written. So Matthew,... read more
11. by the law—Greek, "IN the law." Both in and by are included. The syllogism in this verse and Galatians 3:12, is, according to Scripture, "The just shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, but of doing, or works (that is, does not make faith, but works, the conditional ground of justifying). Therefore "in," or "by the law, no man is justified before God" (whatever the case may be before men, Galatians 3:12- :) —not even if he could, which he cannot, keep the law, because the... read more
12. doeth—Many depended on the law although they did not keep it; but without doing, saith Paul, it is of no use to them (Romans 2:13; Romans 2:17; Romans 2:23; Romans 10:5). read more
2. The Scriptural argument 3:6-14Next Paul appealed to Scripture to defend salvation by faith alone. To refute the legalists Paul first argued that it is incorrect to say that only through conformity to the Law could people become sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:6-9). Second, he argued that by the logic of the legalists those whose standing the Law determines are under the curse of the Law, not special blessing (Galatians 3:10-14). read more
Living under the Mosaic Law did not bring blessing but a curse. The reason is that to obtain God’s blessing under the Law a person had to keep it perfectly, and no one could. Even one failure brought God’s curse. Paul cited Deuteronomy 27:26 that was a passage the legalists would have respected highly because it is in a highly legal section of a highly legal book. He did so to support his argument. The Law is similar to a chain; one must forge every single link securely or it will not support... read more
The curse of works 3:10-14"In Galatians 3:6-9 Paul set forth a positive argument for justification by faith. In Galatians 3:10-14 he turned the tables and argued negatively against the possibility of justification by works." [Note: George, p. 227. Cf. Lightfoot, p. 137.] read more
Paul further quoted Habakkuk 2:4, from the Prophets section of the Old Testament, to show that justification by faith has always been God’s method. Since Scripture says that it is the person who is righteous by faith that will live, no one can be justified by works of the law.In Galatians 3:10 Paul argued that anyone who seeks justification by works of the Law will suffer God’s curse. He or she will do so because he or she cannot keep the Law perfectly. In Galatians 3:11-12 he argued that... read more
Responding to the idea that perhaps both Law and faith are necessary for justification Paul quoted Leviticus 18:5. This verse shows that they are mutually exclusive. They are two entirely different approaches to God. The Law demanded perfect compliance. "Them" refers to the statutes and ordinances of the Mosaic Law.Law and faith are as different as apples and elephants. The Law requires works, but the gospel calls for faith. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Galatians 3:11
Galatians 3:11. The just shall live by faith..— A dispute arose between St. Paul and the Judaizing Christians, concerning what it was which justified a man before God, and entitled him to that eternal life brought to light by the gospel. They held it to be the works of the law. St. Paul, on the contrary, affirms, that it was faith in Jesus the Messiah: and thus he argues: But that no man is justified by the law, is evident; for the just shall live by faith; and the law is not of faith, but the... read more