How does Galatians 3:12 relate to Romans 1:17 about living by faith? Two paths to “life” stand side by side - Law-keeping: “The man who does these things will live by them.” (Galatians 3:12; Leviticus 18:5) - Faith-receiving: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17; Habakkuk 2:4) Galatians 3:12—what Paul states “The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’” • Law demands continual, flawless obedience. • “Live by them” means life is earned only if every command is perfectly kept. • Because the law is “not of faith,” mixing the two cancels faith’s reliance on God’s work. Romans 1:17—what Paul celebrates “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” • Righteousness is given, not earned. • “From faith to faith” underscores that the entire journey—start, middle, finish—is faith-driven. • Life flows out of trusting what God has done, not what we do. Old-Testament backdrop - Leviticus 18:5 supplies Paul’s law citation (Galatians 3:12). - Habakkuk 2:4 supplies the faith citation (Romans 1:17). - Both verses speak of “life,” but on totally different grounds. How the two verses interlock • Galatians 3:12 exposes the impossibility of achieving life by performance; Romans 1:17 reveals the only viable way—faith. • Together they form Paul’s argument: no middle ground exists; one either trusts self-effort or Christ’s finished work (cf. Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). • The contrast magnifies grace: law says “Do and live,” gospel says “Believe and live.” Practical implications for believers - Rest: Assurance comes from Christ’s righteousness credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). - Freedom: No longer striving to earn God’s favor, we serve out of gratitude (Galatians 5:13). - Consistency: Daily choices flow from the same faith that saved us (Colossians 2:6). - Humility: Boasting is excluded because life is received, not achieved (Romans 3:27). In short Galatians 3:12 shows why the law cannot give life; Romans 1:17 proclaims the faith that does. One verse closes the door on works-righteousness; the other opens the door to grace-filled living by faith alone. |
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