10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, and do them." 11 Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for "He who through faith is righteous shall live"; 12 but the law does not rest on faith, for "He who does them shall live by them." 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree." 14 that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Some argue that the book of Deuteronomy mostly consists of ceremonial laws that Paul argues could be done away with, and that supposedly limits the meaning of the term works of the law. Actually, the beginning of Moses' charge is a recitation of the ten commandments (Dt. 5:6-21, cf., Ex. 20:1-17). As Jesus taught to enter life we must keep the commandments (Mt. 19:17), it is obvious that this was not done away with (cf., 1 Cor. 7:9). Chapter six is where we get the Shema, and the command to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul, mind and strength (Dt. 6:4), which Jesus also affirmed (Mt. 22:37). Next is an encouragement to keep the commandments (vv. 7-9, 25), and a commandment to not follow other gods (Dt. 6:7-9, 14, 25).

Chapters seven and eight encourage the people not to follow false gods (Dt. 7:4, 23; 8:19), and reminds people of God's faithfulness. Next is reminder of their own unfaithfulness during the time of their wandering (Dt. 9). Then after he reminds the people of God's mercy, Moses tells them to fear the Lord your God and to keep the commandments (Dt. 10:12-16). He even commands them to circumcise the foreskin of their hearts (Dt. 10:16). This foreshadows Paul writing about the circumcision of the heart (Dt. 10:16; cf., Eze. 36:24, Rom. 2:29).

The Laws of the Sanctuary are based on not following other gods (Dt. 12:1-3). The ending of chapter 12 warns that they would get cut off if they follow after other gods (Dt. 12:29-32). The laws of Chapter 13 are given in reference to not following after false prophets (Dt. 13:1-5) because they must follow only after God and obey his commandments. Those who are punished are punished because they follow after other gods (Dt. 13:13-15). The law of Debts is based on helping poor people and giving help to such people (Dt. 15:7-11), which Jesus gives as criteria for a separation from those going to heaven and those going to hell Mt. 25:31-46; Gal. 2:6; 6:9). The next chapter shows that one must not pervert justice, nor take bribes, and only do justice (Dt. 16:18-22).

The laws of chapter 17 are putting to death those who are wicked, and follow after other gods (Dt. 17:3-7) and to not be greedy with gold and wives (Dt. 17:15-18) Chapter 18 includes condemnation of sorcerers, witches, mediums, and false prophets (Dt. 18:10-22). Next are laws of justice, lessening punishments for accidental deaths, and getting witnesses to confirm charges so innocent people would not be punished (Dt. 19). People who go to war are warned against following after the false gods of their opponents (Dt 20:16-18). The principle of the Law of unknown murder is based on not punishing innocent people (Dt. 21:8), and punishing rebellious sons (Dt. 21:18-23). I can go on, but space is limited.

All the principles that are shown behind the laws as given in the book of Deuteronomy, have moral underpinnings that are carried over into the New Covenant. We are called in the New Covenant to not follow sorcery and witchcraft (Gal. 5:20; Rev. 22:15). The principles of justice and mercy echo Jesus and Paul's call for justice and mercy (Mt. 5:7; Lk. 10:37; 2 Cor. 2:5-10). Predominant in the Deuteronomy laws were laws based on not following after other gods, echoed by Jesus and Paul. Those who the laws saw as wicked (those who kill and follow other gods) are wicked as well in the New Covenant, and are condemned to hell based on the violation of those laws (Gal. 5:20-21). Positive laws given in Deuteronomy, such as circumcising the heart (Dt. 10:16) are likewise not ceremonial laws.

Now we should look at the immediate background to the Deuteronomy 27:26 citation. Paul is condemning as cursed those who rely on the works of the law for their salvation in Galatians 3:10. In the beginning of Deuteronomy 27, we see Moses, the elders, and the Levites, calling on all the people of Israel to keep the commandments of the law (Dt. 27:2, 9-14). The citation of Deuteronomy 27:26 is the twelfth and final summary curse which all the people assented to (see Dt. 27:15-26). In the next chapter (Dt. 28) the blessings are far outweighed by promised cursings. Are the promised curses for breaking ceremonial laws or moral laws? In fact the curses (in Dt. 27) are for breaking most of the ten commandments). The commandments have no relation to circumcision or other rituals. Moses condemns making graven images (v.16) (part of the first commandment which condemned making images in the context of worshipping false gods) (Exodus 20:4-5). Other commandments that brought the curses include the fourth commandment (vv. 16, 20), fifth (v. 24-25), sixth (vv. 20-23), seventh, (v. 19) and eighth (v.17). The people are thus unable to perfectly keep these moral commandments.

Previously Paul was focused on circumcision as part of the Works of the Law that did not save (Gal. 2:16). Now when he references works of the law (Gal. 3:10) he alludes specifically to a covenant that included moral laws. Dependence on these for salvation brings a curse.

[As we will see developed later on, Paul's point is that law, as a system, will not save anybody. If one relies on the law as a system for salvation, it will not provide it. That is because if one approaches God on the basis of one's own prowess, one attempts to make God a debtor. The only way one can be justified if he approaches God in that way, is if he perfectly keeps the law. Paul shows that one who relies on law in this way, only brings a curse upon himself, as no one can keep the law perfectly (Gal. 3:10; 5:3-4).. As Paul writes in all of Galatians, however, grace is the only system that will justify. As Paul will later show, that does not mean that law is done away with, but that it is not the means of justification, per se. When one is in the realm of grace, and with the Holy Spirit (the whole context of Gal. 3:1-14 is connected with the Holy Spirit, and being in grace), to be pleasing to God. Then, 100% perfection is not required, as when in the realm of grace, one is put in a Father-Son relationship (Gal. 4:4-7), where the strict, rigid, requirements of the law are not in place.]

Habakkuk is a prophet who complains to God that justice does not seem to flourish in his day. His first complaint is that even though he cries out for justice, God does not seem to answer. Violence and injustice reign (Hab. 1:2-4). Habakkuk even complains that the law is powerless (Hab. 1:4). This context is in Paul's mind when he references Habakkuk. God's first response is that he will raise up the Chaldeans (Babylonians) to punish his people (Hab. 1:5-11). That perplexes Habakkuk even more. He asks in his next complaint (Hab. 1:12-2:1) how could God use the wicked Babylonians to set the Israel nation right when they are even more evil than the Jewish nation that Habakkuk had just complained about? After all, God's holiness is so pure that he cannot look at wickedness (Hab. 1:13). God's second response is that not only will the disobedient Jews be punished through the Babylonians, but the Babylonians themselves, who are proud, will also be punished (Hab. 2:12-20). Paul uses Hab. 2:4 and here is the context:

2:2 And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. 3 For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. 4 Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith. 5 Morever, wine is treacherous; the arrogant man shall not abide.

In his responses, God condemned those (whether they were Jews or Babylonians) who were proud of themselves and did not rely upon God. God assures Habakkuk that the unrighteous and proud people will not prevail. God will even use unrighteous people to punish other unrighteous people, and in the meantime, even the righteous may be punished; nevertheless, those who are live truly (the assumption is of course one can only be righteous when seen through God's eyes of grace) righteously, will indeed live, and be rewarded by God. He assures Habakkuk that only those who put their trust in God, and put their lives in life-long service to him, will live in God's sight. In this passage (v. 4) God gives a contrast: Those who are proud are not upright in God's eyes and they will fail. Those who are humble, and indeed are truly righteous, will not fail. Paul's use of this passage contrasts the proud as being dependent on works of the law and cursed, with the humble who live faithfully before God as seen through his eyes of grace.

Robert Sungenis analyzes the grammatical backdrop of the word faith used in Habakkuk 2:4: "The righteous shall live by faith." He points out that the word that Habakkuk writes for "faith," is derived from the Hebrew work emunah. The normal connotation of this word is that of continued "faithfulness," rather than a one time act of faith. He argues that it could have easily been translated, "the just shall live by his faithfulness." Sungenis notes:

Of the 49 times that the word is used in the Old Testament, over half of the passages refer to "faithfulness" (e.g., Psalm 89:1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33; 119:75, 90, Pro. 28:20; Lam. 3:23, et al). Other passages refer to "truth" or "steadfastness" (e.g., Jer. 5:1, 3). It is also worthy of note that in many of these passages emunah is used in reference to the character of God as much as it is to men.(1)

Anyone who attempts to make himself right with God by his own works is one who is "puffed up", one who "boasts" of his own goodness and is filled with his own self-importance and significance (cf., Luke 18:9)." His attitude and lifestyle do not please God. As a consequence, the law by which he attempts to make himself acceptable to God is the very law which will be fully employed against him. (2)

The people of Israel have violated the Deuteronomic covenant, and God is faithful to the pledge of that covenant by punishing them. They had shown themselves to be unfaithful to that covenant. The people's unfaithfulness to the moral laws results in their own exile.

[An important aspect that Paul shows is that the Judaizing Christians were boasting in the law, and relied on their adherence, as the means of justification. Paul in this passage contrasts Habakkuk's faith with that of the boastful. In the immediate context of Paul quoting Habakkuk 2:4, is the fact that "arrogant man shall not abide (Hab. 2:5)." The arrogant and boastful were not justified during the time of Habakkuk, and they are not justified during the time of Paul. Here Paul's point is that the disposition of those who relied on the law for justification, was the main part of their problem. The boasting aspect of the "works of the law" is what Paul condemns in other passages (Rom. 2:17, 23; 3:27; 4:2; Eph. 2:9). He will contrast those who are arrogant and boastful, to those who walk by faith, obedience, and trust in God. For example, when mentioning Abraham, he mentions that his faith was not one which he would boast about (Rom. 4:2). His works could never make God a debtor (Rom. 4:4). The "works of the law" will thus not justify. Paul's point in Galatians 3, Habakkuk 4, and Romans 2-4, is that God must be approached only within the realm of grace. One's disposition with God must be humble, and not boastful.]

24 Do not defile yourselves by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am casting out before you defiled themselves; 25 and the land became defiled, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you shall keep my statutes and my ordinances and do none of these abominations, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you 27 (for all of these abominations the men of the land did, who were before you, so that the land became defiled); 28 lest the land vomit you out, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

Notice that just as God would punish those alien nations by 'vomiting out its inhabitants', he also promised that if his own people commit such sins, and break these laws, they would likewise be vomited out, and put into exile. At the time that Paul is writing this passage, the people of Israel are in exile, there is no Davidic kingdom, and are in bondage to Rome. Paul shows that these laws did not provide freedom.

Scott Hahn argues that in Galatians Paul actually quotes from Ezekiel where three times (Eze. 20:11, 13, and 21), it quotes from Leviticus 18:5.(3) He who has coined the phrase 'salvation history', notes that some scholars have called Ezekiel 20, 'damnation history'. This would make Paul's point even stronger. Ezekiel is a witness that the people have not kept the laws that God commanded. Leviticus 18:5:

You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, by doing which a man shall live: I am the LORD. Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I the LORD sanctify them.

Ezekiel 20:10-13

10 So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. 11 I gave them my statutes and showed them my ordinances, by whose observance man shall live.12 Moreover I gave them my sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I the LORD sanctify them. 13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not walk in my statutes but rejected my ordinances, by whose observance man shall live; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned. "Then I thought I would pour out my wrath upon them in the wilderness, to make a full end of them.

Ezekiel 20:21

But the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes, and were not careful to observe my ordinances, by whose observance man shall live; they profaned my sabbaths. "Then I thought I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.

[Paul shows again that if one approaches God through the works of the law, one must keep the law perfectly; however, as we saw earlier (Gal. 3:10), no one can keep it perfectly. This is consonant with what Paul writes later in Gal. 5:3-4:

I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.]

18 "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they chastise him, will not give heed to them 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, 20 and they shall say to the elders of his city, 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard. 21 Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall purge the evil from your midst; and all Israel shall hear, and fear 22 "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree 23 his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.

Paul applies the curse of the man who is hung upon the tree in Deuteronomy to Jesus. Jesus incurs a punishment of a common criminal. We see in Deuteronomy a rebellious son called a glutton and a drunkard (v. 20). That is what Jesus is charged with during his ministry (Luke 7:34, Mt. 11:19).

As can be seen from the passage quoted in Deuteronomy, hanging on a tree is a particularly disgraceful act, as the one who is hanged on the tree "defiles the land." There are echoes of the term, being cursed by hanging on the tree, in relation to covenant. For example, Joshua made an agreement with the Gibeonites that he would not kill them (Jos. 9). Joshua then rescued the Gibeonites when the Amorites and others attacked them (Jos. 10:1-43). A covenant was thus established between the Gibeonites and the people of Israel. The Israelites swore protection of the Gibeonites. During the time of King David, the fact that King Saul before had broken covenant and killed the Gibeonites, caused a famine throughout the land (2 Sam. 21:1-2). David recognized that an atonement was required for the breaking of this covenant (v. 3). What was the means to bring about the restoration of the covenant? The Gibeonites demanded that seven of King Saul's descendants be hung upon a tree upon a hill. King David complied with that demand (2 Sam. 21:4-13). Only after this atoning sacrifice of people being hung on a tree on a hill, did God relent from the famine and heed the prayer for the land (v. 14). In Numbers 25, God told Moses to hang the ones who committed harlotry with Baal of Peor (vv. 3-5). Hanging on a tree has a history of one bearing a divine curse to satisfy the covenant:

Gal. 3:14 that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The question in the beginning of Galatians 3 is how did one receive the Holy Spirit, by works of the law, or by faith? How is one perfected, by faith, or works of the law? (Gal. 3:1-5). Paul links the justification, blessing of Abraham to his ongoing faith (Gal. 3:6-9; cf. Gen. 12; Gen. 15; 22).

Paul unequivocally shows through his Old Testament references what does not save, or give the Holy Spirit: Works of the Law. In the prior chapter (esp. Gal. 2:16) Paul confirmed that circumcision does not justify. In these references that we have examined (3:10-13) we see that the mere giving of the law does not bring the blessing that was promised to the spiritual descendants of Abraham, and instead promised a curse. We can see that the Pauline Old Testament references have little or no relation to circumcision, or what often is referred to as the ceremonial Mosaic law. Paul pointed to the book of the law given in Deuteronomy specifically as to how it does not justify or give the Holy Spirit. The Deuteronomy references referred specifically to how the people were unable to perfectly keep the law, primarily the moral law. One who relies on the works of the law as a means of salvation are under a curse as Paul writes in Gal. 3:10, which refers to Deuteronomy 27. The surrounding context of curses showed that this law could only bring curses. This law that many of the Judaizers relied on for their salvation only guaranteed a curse of the nation of Israel, as they can not perfectly keep the law.

Paul's reference to Habakkuk (Gal. 3:11) gives the solution to the problem. God gives Habakkuk the answer of how in exile they should look for the heavenly city, the heavenly Jerusalem: To walk by faith, and live faithfully. One must live faithfully, not a one time profession of faith, or to be merely chosen by God as a grounds for justification. One can be justified only if the just live by faithfulness. This must be lived out over a lifetime, in order to stay in God's grace. The reference in v. 12 to Leviticus as seen through Ezekiel reconfirms that God punishes those who depend on the Deuteronomic covenant. It brings destruction on nations and people, as people can not keep the law. God finally brings the curse that is deserved on the people, to his only beloved Son, who takes the curse. Those who do not take their shelter in the Son who took the punishment, will not be justified, but will be in exile from God.

Galatians 3:10-14 and the Meaning of Works of the Law

James Buchanan writes that any kind of works that we do are invariably soiled, and thus even those done in the grace of the Holy Spirit can never meet the justice of God. He writes:

Neither the faith, nor the repentance, nor the love nor the holiness, nor the new obedience, of the most mature believer, is such as to fulfill the spiritual requirements of the divine Law; while, imperfect as they all are in themselves, they are invariably soiled and contaminated by some 'spots of the flesh,' and defiled by the constant presence, and frequent pollutions, of indwelling sin. (5)

We see thus the so-called "Reformed" position believing that such statements as Gal. 3:10 condemn any and all types of work as not meeting the just requirements of God. In the section we are studying (Gal. 3:10-14) we see that what is contrasted to salvation is not those works done in holiness in the sight of God and done in God's grace. In the prior chapter (Gal. 2) Paul had condemned those who relied on circumcision. In this section, we see the people condemned by works of the law including those who were proud, and relied upon their own power, in contrast to those who receive the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:5, 6, 14). In fact in none of the citations does Paul condemn those who do good works in the grace of God as being those that are condemned. The works of the law in fact is contrasted to those who live by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the error of Buchanan and other Faith Alone people is that they ignore this contrast and put those in the same category as those who depend on Works of the Law.

[The presumption that is foisted on the text by these Protestant apologists, is that since no one can perfectly keep the law, all are condemned who believe any kind of law is necessary for salvation. The logical step for them is next to say that since no one can perfectly keep the law, one needs alien righteousness of Christ to be imputed to one's account. It is purely a forensic scheme, where Christ's perfect righteousness is laid to one's account that will perfectly satisfy God's justice. God will not see one's own righteousness, but only Christ's righteousness. The problem is that nowhere in Galatians 3:10-14, or actually nowhere else in the book of Galatians (or actually anywhere in the Bible) is it stated that on judgment day, one person's basis for going to heaven is an alien righteousness laid to one's account. There is no scene that says that those who go to hell go there because of this lack of an alien righteousness. In fact, in every judgment scene, this separation is based on faithfulness or lack of faithfulness (Rom. 2:4-13; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:10-17; Rom. 14:10-12; John 5:28-29; Mt. 25:31-46; Mt. 16:24-27; Rev. 20:10-13; 22:10-14).]

[In one sense there may seem to be a discontinuity. On the one hand, the Bible teaches under the rubric of law that if one breaks only one part of the law, one is condemned (Gal. 3:10; Gal. 5:3-4, Jm. 2:10). On the other hand, every single judgment scene in the Bible shows the separation from those who go to heaven and those who go to hell, as being based on works and obedience. The solution that the Bible shows is not the alien righteousness, nowhere found in the context of Galatians 3, but God's eyes of grace. If one relies on Works of the Law, that person will be condemned, no doubt; nevertheless those such as Abraham are those who become children of God (Gal. 4:4-7) and are seen through the eyes of grace. Abraham is a perfect example. Even after Abraham was given great promises of blessings (Gen. 12 & 15), Abraham fell into various sins because of his lack of trust in God (Gen. 12:10-20; 16:1-6). If Abraham would have operated in the rubric of law (i.e. works of the law), those sins would have condemned him forever; nevertheless, he came back into God's grace and showed a humility. He came back into that realm of grace, and became a father of faith to succeeding generations. Only when one is within the rubric of grace, do works become meritorious. Thus, when Abraham offered his son Isaac to God in sacrifice (Gen. 22:15-19, cf., Jam. 2:21-22), God looked at his efforts through those eyes of grace. When he was within those eyes of grace, Abraham's actions could thus become meritorious in God's eyes. In Gal. 3:8 we see the reference to Abraham's faith as bringing justification and blessing. God's response to Abraham's obedient actions was to justify him, thus showing again that justification is a process. In the eyes of New Testament authors, Abraham is three times justified (Gen. 12:3, cf., Heb. 11:8; Gen. 15:6, cf., Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Gen. 22:16, cf., Gal. 3:8, Jam. 2:21-22). Abraham realized that he could not boast and he could not make God a debtor (Rom. 4:2-4). He was not perfect, and Paul recognized this. Nowhere does it say either in Genesis, Hebrews, Romans, or Galatians, that when Abraham believe, an alien righteousness that was exterior to the person of Abraham, became his basis for justification. As Abraham was seen through those eyes of grace, his works could then become meritorious. If he would have been attempted to have been seen through law, it would have only brought his condemnation (Gal. 3:10; 5:3-4; Jam. 2:10).]

[One of the judgment scene I earlier referred to also shows how one is justified when God looks through the eyes of grace. Rom. 2:4-13 shows how one's works do justify when within the realm of grace:

4Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 For he will render to every man according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. 12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.]

[Verse 4 is central to this whole section. Paul writes that it is only God's kindness and forbearance that leads the person to repentance before God. One must be humble and acknowledge that it is only God's kindness that puts one within the realm of God's grace. If one is hard of heart, he will be condemned (v. 5). Thus, before one's works are judged by God, it must be determined whether one is within God's eyes of grace. If one is within that realm of grace (v.4), those works can be meritorious. Then verses 6-13 show that one's obedience or disobedience become the grounds of whether people go to heaven or hell. Then God will render according to works. If one does good, one will be rewarded with heaven (vv. 7, 10-11). If one disobeys they will go to hell (vv. 8-9). In the end, one can become a doer of the law, but as we have seen the system of law, in and of itself is not the basis for justification. As Paul writes, one must be a doer of law, but one can become that only when one realizes that it is purely God's mercy and kindness can one become a doer of the law. Ultimately, it is still the system of grace that saves. Thus, when we look at all the other judgment scenes I referred to earlier, all those whose works and obedience brought them rewards, namely eternal life, was only because God looked at their works through the system of grace. Nevertheless, even if at one time one was within the system of grace, commission of deadly sins (1 Jn 5:16-17) would bring them condemnation (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:6).]

In the very section we are examining (Gal. 3:10-14) we see Paul's reference to Habakkuk (Gal. 3:12) showing the necessity of faithfulness for salvation. The just shall live by faithfulness (Gal. 3:12, cf., Hab. 2:4). In order to meet God's demands of justice requires not only the faith that puts one in the realm of God's grace, but also a continual, faithful obedience of faith. The surrounding blessing (justification of Abraham) in which Paul alludes to Abraham (Gal. 3:6-9) refers to Abraham's blessing and justification (Gen. 12; 15; 22). At each point, Abraham is justified, or blessed, which in Gal. 3:8-9, is shown to be almost synonyms for justification.

Another mistake that is made is that those who attack the Catholic position is the idea that Catholics limit works of the law to the ceremonial law. In fact they do have some reason to attack that position because as we have already seen, some Catholic apologists do indeed limit the term to the ceremonial law.

Norm Geisler and Ralph Mackenzie write:

In order to counter this Roman Catholic scholars have made an artificial distinction between "works of the Mosaic law" (such as circumcision ) but extend equally to all kinds of meritorious good works, for all such works will in one way or another be works in accordance with God's law.(6)

It is manifest that he does not speak exclusively, or even specially, of the ceremonial law of the Jews; but that he speaks of law in general, including what was peculiar to the Jews, but also what was common to them with the Gentiles; or of that moral law which possess universal and unchangeable authority.(9)

God must look through the eye of grace in order for one to be saved. What justifies is not only Jesus bearing the curse, but also ongoing acts of obedience as evidenced by God's call to Habakkuk and the example of Abraham's life. Justification is not a one-time thing with everything else being mere fruits. When one tries to enter a debt-debtor relationship one will be condemned (the idea that God owes them) (Gal. 5:3-4). [Paul also shows this theme in Romans that God can owe no one: Rom. 4:4 - Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. No one can attempt to force God, who is absolute purity and holiness, to owe him anything. Works in that realm justify no one. For after all, "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid (Rom. 11:35)?". Salvation is not by law.]

[Despite his condemnation of those who rely on the law for salvation, Paul is not abolishing the law. He writes that he is "released" from the law (Romans 7:6). Paul's thesis is that, being under grace, he is released from the strict judgment of the uncompromising law, which requires perfect obedience for justification. See also Colossians 2:15 and Ephesians 2:15. See also Romans 6:14 and Romans 8:3:

Romans 8:3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.]

When one becomes an adopted son (Gal. 4:4-7) one fulfills the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) by bearing one another's burden. This is similar to Paul's claim in Romans that when one tries to put God in an employee-employee relationship (Rom. 3:28-4:4) one will not be justified (by works of the law). In contrast to that, if one is an adopted child (Rom. 8:14) one will fulfill the law of the Spirit, and meet the just requirement of that law (Rom. 8:2-4; 2:4-13), and only when the person puts to death the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13).

The fact that although one is not under the works of the law (Gal. 5:18) there is still a law of the Spirit and Christ. Paul warns that if one lives in the life of the flesh (even if one is an adopted child) he will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal. 5:19-21). If one instead manifests the fruit of the Spirit one indeed will inherit this kingdom (Gal. 5:22-23). This can be done only through the power of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 24). Although one can not work for and earn salvation, once inside God's grace, one must bear fruit in his life to get the end of salvation. If one sows instead disobedience, one's end is eternal damnation (Gal. 6:7-9):

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

What can we conclude in regards to the so-called Reformed Protestant conception of law? They are correct in that law, in and of itself, will save nobody. One can only be justified through the eyes of grace. That does not mean that once within that realm of grace that no law is necessary. One must live a life of an ongoing faithfulness (Gal. 3:12, Hab. 2:4). As one is an adopted son, one can lose that salvation when one sows disobedience (Gal. 5:4, 19-21; 6:9). There is still a law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) and of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:2-4) that must still be fulfilled, but only when seen through those eyes of grace.

[We merit justification because God judges us as worthy of justification. We merit justification under grace, which is the only system that has room for us to merit anything; and we do not merit it under law, which has no room for it. Grace speaks of a personal relationship to God that law cannot provide, in itself. It is the personal relationship — the father to a son relationship (Rom. 8:14-15; Gal. 4:4-7; 1 Jn 3:1; John 1:12) — that allows God to bestow justification on those who please him. "Grace, (Tit. 2:10-14, Rom. 5:2; 2 Cor. 8:9), " "pleasing God, (Heb. 11:6; Gal. 1:10; Rom. 8:8-9; 1 Thes. 2:4; 1 Thes. 4:1)" "faith,(Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:1-40)" "gracious merit," "love,"(Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 13; Lk. 10:27; Jude 21) "obedience of faith, (Rom. 1:5; 6:16; 16:26;) " are all personal terms which are never the rubric of law.]

In his piece, On the Spirit and the Letter,, noting that some tried to argue that Paul was merely writing about works of the law referred only to ceremonies, St. Augustine writes the following, in chapters 22&23:

Now, having duly considered and weighed all these circumstances and testimonies, we conclude that a man is not justified by the precepts of a holy life, but by faith in Jesus Christ,--in a word, not by the law of works, but by the law of faith; not by the letter, but by the spirit; not by the merits of deeds, but by free grace.

CHAP. 23 [XIV.] --HOW THE DECALOGUE KILLS, IF GRACE BE NOT PRESENT. Although, therefore, the apostle seems to reprove and correct those who were being persuaded to be circumcised, in such terms as to designate by the word "law" circumcision itself and other similar legal observances, which are now rejected as shadows of a future substance by Christians who yet hold what those shadows figuratively promised; he at the same time nevertheless would have it to be clearly understood that the law, by which he says no man is justified, lies not merely in those sacramental institutions which contained promissory figures, but also in those works by which whosoever has done them lives holily, and amongst which occurs this prohibition: "Thou shalt not covet." Now, to make our statement all the clearer, let us look at the Decalogue itself. It is certain, then, that Moses on the mount received the law, that he might deliver it to the people, written on tables of stone by the finger of God. It is summed up in these ten commandments, in which there is no precept about circumcision, nor anything concerning those animal sacrifices which have ceased to be offered by Christians. Well, now, I should like to be told what there is in these ten commandments, except the observance of the Sabbath, which ought not to be kept by a Christian,--whether it prohibit the making and worshipping of idols and of any other gods than the one true God, or the taking of God's name in vain; or prescribe honour to parents; or give warning against fornication, murder, theft, false witness, adultery, or coveting other men's property? Which of these commandments would any one say that the Christian ought not to keep? Is it possible to contend that it is not the law which was written on those two tables that the apostle describes as "the letter that killeth," but the law of circumcision and the other sacred rites which are now abolished? But then how can we think so, when in the law occurs this precept, "Thou shall not covet," by which very commandment, notwithstanding its being holy, just, and good, "sin," says the apostle, "deceived me, and by it slew me?"(Rom. 7:7-12) What else can this be than "the letter" that "killeth"?(11)

St. Augustine recognizes that even the law given to Moses does not save. It even kills. He also recognizes that Paul is not merely dealing with ceremonies. Grace as a system opposes law. However, he also notes that for our salvation, we must be obedient. He also notes elsehwere that our justification is in fact us not being declared righteous, but made righteous:

That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2nd Cor. 5:21). This is not the righteousness whereby God is Himself righteous, but that whereby we are made righteous by Him.(12)

For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose.... Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not; for if a law had been given which could make alive, then the righteousness would indeed be by the law.

Paul confirms again and again that law as a system will not justify. If anyone says, well this is only the law of Deuteronomy which will not justify, we have examined what the law of Deuteronomy is: a compilation of mostly moral laws that people could not keep perfectly. Within the above passages (similar to Paul's reference to Habakkuk earlier) we see the solution. One must be in God's eyes of grace and live in Christ's power to live the life of faithfulness that justifies.

We have seen that the just must live by an ongoing faithfulness (Gal. 3:11, cf., Hab. 2:4). The context also includes an ongoing examination of Abraham's life (Gal. 3:6-9; cf., Gen. 15:6; 12:3; 22:18). The context of the section (Gal. 3:6-9, 14) shows that it is by the Spirit of God appropriating the grace that Christ won on the cross into the life of the believer that one is justified. One puts on Christ through faith and baptism (Gal. 3:26-27) and becomes his child (Gal. 4:4-7). The ongoing life of faith that God called Habakkuk to, is the kind of faith that God sees as necessary for justification.

The works of the law that imposes obligation and tries to put man in a debtor relationship with God does not justify. One is not bound to the written code as the means of salvation (Rom. 7:6); nevertheless, moral absolutes are intricately tied to one's justification. One must fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) and as Paul elsewhere writes, the law of the Spirit (Rom. 8:2-4). This is achievable as the relationship is based on a Father-Son relationship. One must humbly come to the Father, put boasting away, and trust in him. The Father disciplines his children but does not cast him away over small sins. Paul writes elsewhere that children will be disciplined (Heb. 12:5-7). In contrast to that, those who put themselves under the strictures of earning their justification, are condemned for even the smallest violation of the law (Gal. 3:10; 5:3). Those Paul condemned in the Old Testament Scriptures were most often boastful, the very type that God condemns (Gal. 3:11, Hab. 2:5). That is what works of the law consists of.

There is still a moral law that must be kept to maintain one's justification, but the law as a system is not ultimately the means of salvation. The means of salvation is God's grace only. Once in that realm of grace, there are still moral laws to live by. Only then can one be a doer of the law (Rom. 2:4, 13). We must fulfill the law of Christ and the law of the Spirit (Gal. 6:2, Rom. 8:2-4). Major sins will indeed bring a separation from God and eternal damnation (Gal. 5:19-21, Gal. 6:8). With the power of the Holy Spirit, one can crucify the lusts of the flesh, and put on the fruits of the Spirit sufficiently to achieve salvation (Gal. 5:16, 22-25, 6:8-9); The fruits of one's actions do indeed bring damnation or salvation, as Paul writes both within our studied section (Gal. 3:10-14), and the surrounding passages. The difference between the works of the law, and works of a humble and faithful servant of God who recognizes his total dependence on God's sufficiency (2 Cor. 3:5), is the difference between salvation and damnation.

ENDNOTES

Works Cited