Galatians 3:11-12 - Homiletics

Fourth argument—the inconsistency of Law and faith.

"But that no man is justified in the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. But the Law is not of faith: but, The man that hath done these things shall live in them."

I. JUSTIFICATION IS OUT OF THE SPHERE OF LAW .

1 . Not because a perfect obedience would not bring justification , for the fundamental principle of the Law is, "The man that hath done these things shall live in them" (Le 18:5).

2 . But because no one is able to obey the Law perfectly. Thus salvation becomes impossible on the principle of Law.

II. SCRIPTURE ASSERTS THE CONNECTION OF JUSTIFICATION WITH FAITH , "The just shall live by faith." The apostle shows the Judaists how they misapprehended the doctrine of the old Testament; for, several hundred years before Christ, the Prophet Habakkuk connects life eternal with faith. "The Law is not of faith;" it does not find its starting-point in faith; doing, not believing, is the demand of the Law; and it is in no sense or manner connected with faith.