Faith brings/accesses righteousness
Gal 3:
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
(MY NOTE: Abraham put his FAITH in God & God declared Him righteous).
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
(MY NOTE: God justifies the gentiles/heathen through faith)
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
(MY NOTE: The curse of the law, that we're redeemed from is: Death & all the penalties levied for sinning. (See Deut 28)
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
(MY NOTE: Gentiles receive the covenant promise blessing made to Abraham, "righteousness imputed thru faith". Received void of Mosaic law adherence (Rom 3:28)
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
(MY NOTE: Abraham's covenant promise is made 430 yrs before the Mosaic/LAW covenant. The Mosaic LAW covenant didn't/doesn't, annual/replace, the FAITH covenant promise God made to Abraham)
The intent of the law:
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
(MY NOTE: The Law was ADDED, to expose, condemn & declare the penalties levied for transgressions/SIN. The law was in effect, [time sensitive word >] ""Until""" the promised seed [Christ's Holy Spirit] should come. For Christ is the end of keeping laws to obtain a right standing before God/righteousness. Righteousness/a right standing before God is now obtained thru faith)
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
(MY NOTE: Righteousness/a right standing before God is given by/thru Faith, void of any law keeping)
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(MY NOTE: All are sinners & deserve the laws just penalty/DEATH. But, thru the "Faith OF Christ" & His finished sin atoning work. Those that trust/believe/have FAITH in Him & His work. It's this FAITH whereby Christ (takes ALL the believers sins, imputes them onto Himself) & imputes His righteousness onto the believer placing them in a right standing with the Father)
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(MY NOTE Before [< time sensitive word] faith/Christ came & paid sins wage/price. Everyone was under ALL the curses/punishments/judgments levied [Deut 28] for sin)
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(MY NOTE: The law exposes sin & teaches us God's rules. It's faith in Christ's finished sin atoning work whereby the believer is saved/justified/placed in a sinless/right standing [Christ bought & paid for every sin judgement the law requires] with/before the Father.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
(MY NOTE: Believers do not obtain a right standing before God thru law keeping/good works)
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(MY NOTE: It's the believers faith in Christ's finish sin atoning work that places them in a right standing before God)
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(MY NOTE: Every Holy Spirit indwelt [received by/thru FAITH] believer is placed in a right standing with the Father)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The Gen 15 Abrahamic covenant promise:
Vs 6 the righteousness by faith promise
Vs 12, Abram is sleeping
Vs 17, The Lord Himself/alone passes through the pieces
Vs 18, That day Lord make's a covenant with Abram.
This Genesis covenant promise was 100% the Lord's work. Based on Abram's faith that God was able to keep/do it. Gen 22:16 (A) By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD.
The new testament/covenant post cross salvation (Christ's baptism/sealing with His Holy Spirit) is a free gift given via faith in the merits/work/sin payment & resurrection of Christ. Again this covenant is invoked & maintained 100% via the Lord's work.
Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24). This redemption is accessed via FAITH (Ron 5:1-2)
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a "better covenant" which was established upon "better promises"
(MY NOTE: Christ Mediates A BETTER Covenant, Established Upon BETTER Promises).
Christ is BETTER then angels, because they worship the Christ. BETTER then Moses, because He created Him. BETTER then the Aaronic priesthood, because Christ's sin sacrifice is once for all time. BETTER then the law, because Christ mediates a BETTER, faith based covenant.
Righteous by works of the law has been replaced by "faith"
Gal 3:
19 Why, then, the Law [what was its purpose]? It was added [after the promise to Abraham, to reveal to people their guilt] because of transgressions [that is, to make people conscious of the sinfulness of sin], and [the Law] was ordained through angels and delivered to Israel by the hand of a mediator [Moses, the mediator between God and Israel, to be in effect] until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.
22 But the Scripture has imprisoned everyone [everything—the entire world] under sin, so that [the inheritance, the blessing of salvation] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe [in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s precious Son].
23 Now before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, [perpetually] imprisoned [in preparation] for the faith that was destined to be revealed
24 with the result that the Law has become our tutor and our disciplinarian to guide us to Christ, so that we may be [c]justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] by faith.
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under [the control and authority of] a tutor and disciplinarian
Posted Gal 3:19-25 verses found here: Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 3 - Amplified Bible
Recap:
Vs 19 The Law was in effect UNTIL Christ came, Vs 23 the law was in effect UNTIL "faith" arrived, Vs 24 The law was our sin consequence/disciplinarian teacher, Vs 25 But now that "faith" has come, we are no longer under the control & authority of] this teacher/disciplinarian.
Justification by Faith
Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 22 This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law [it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him], for [granting] righteousness to everyone who believes [in Him as Savior].
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Bible Gateway passage: Romans 10 - Amplified Bible
The Word of Faith Brings Salvation - Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a certain enthusiasm for God, but not in accordance with [correct and vital] knowledge [about Him and His purposes]. For...
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(MY NOTE: By fulfilling the OT law's requirement. Christ brought it's function/purpose to an END/conclusion. The NT requirement to obtain righteousness that God has implemented is: Place your "Faith" in the Faithful/obedient (Rom 5:19) finished sin atoning work of Christ. Found in Hs death (sins required wage Paid), burial (proof Jesus died) & resurrection (Father's receipt, sins payment received & accepted)
These Gifts Holy Spirit, Eternal Life, Righteousness given by God to believers based on FAITH. Faith placed in Christ's sin atoning work.
HOLY SPIRIT - A gift given thru FAITH: Acts 10:45, 11:17
Acts 10:
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(MY NOTE: The Holy Spirit falls on gentiles, void of any Mosaic law adherence!)
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(MY NOTE: By FAITH these gentiles received the free gift of God's eternally indwelling, salvation sealing Holy Spirit. Completely void of any Mosaic laws!)
Acts 11:
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
(MY NOTE: Those that believed/had FAITH on the Lord Jesus Christ. Freely received Christ's Holy Spirit baptism)
ETERNAL LIFE - A gift given thru FAITH:
Jn 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(MY NOTE: The GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE given to he who has FAITH on the Son)
Jn 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
(MY NOTE: He that has FAITH in Christ & believes the Father sent Him "HAS" [present tense] ETERNAL LIFE.)
Jn 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
(MY NOTE: ETERNAL LIFE is GIVEN to he who has FAITH in the Son)
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(MY NOTE: the GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE is GIVEN FREELY thru FAITH in Christ. Also see Rom 5:1-2)
RIGHTEOUSNESS - A gift given thru FAITH:
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
(MY NOTE: Thru faith Abraham was freely granted RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(MY NOTE: NOT to him that works. But, RIGHTEOUSNESS is freely given to him that has faith in Christ)
Rom 5:
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
(MY NOTE: The gift of righteousness
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
(MY NOTE: RIGHTEOUSNESS is a FREE GIFT)
GRACE - A gift given freely & received thru FAITH:
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(MY NOTE: This verse proclaims GRACE is a FREE GIFT - TWICE!)
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(MY NOTE: Saving grace is a GIFT from God)
GIFTS are given, NOT, worked for/earned!
When dissecting any verse of scripture. Ask yourself, of whom, to whom, with what words, what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering what is written before & what follows any single verse context.
^^^Myles Coverdale, Bible theologian/translator^^^
So, ask: Who's writing? Paul, Rom 1:1
Written to whom? NT believer's in Christ's sin payment & resurrection. Rom 1:7
What are the circumstances? NT believers mixing righteousness via self participation in Mosaic law keeping vs righteousness via faith in Christ's sin atoning death, burial & resurrection
What’s the context BEFORE? God, faith, righteousness/unrighteousness, jew/gentile, justification, law.
What's the context after? Christ's, Righteousness imputed via Faith. Rom Chapter 4
We should never take one verse out of context & try to build a doctrine.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
I'll begin the parsing here:
20 By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
(MY NOTE: No one will be justified = judicially declared righteous by a sovereign God. Thru any self works)
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
(MY NOTE: The righteousness of God is now establish without any deeds required via Mosaic law)
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
(MY NOTE: The righteousness of God is established by the obedient faith "OF" Jesus Christ & is imputed to all them that believe in His sin atoning work)
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
(MY NOTE: Justified FREELY via God's grace, thru faith placed in Christ's sin redemptive work, we become justified = Judicially declared righteous by a sovereign God.)
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
(MY NOTE: Propitiation = reconciliation/atonement/appease/satisfy. Christ's righteousness is declared as sins propitiation. And is imputed onto believers via faith in his death, burial & resurrection)
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
(MY NOTE: This verse declares the righteousness of Jesus & proclaims Him as the justifier of those who: believe/have faith in Him > His sin payment & resurrection. Not those that follow/keep Mosaic law)
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
(MY NOTE: Here is a KEY verse! By what law? By the "LAW of FAITH")
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
(MY NOTE: Man is justified = judicially declared righteous by a sovereign God > = by FAITH without the deeds of the law).
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
(MY NOTE: He's God of BOTH, Jew & Gentile)
30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
(MY NOTE: God justifies = Declared righteous, "BOTH the circumcision = JEW", "by/through "FAITH". "And the uncircumcision = GENTILES through/by "FAITH")
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
(MY NOTE: If you'll read verse 31 in context. Its the new covenant, "LAW of FAITH", that's being established, just "REREAD vs 27".)
All power, praise, glory & honor, belong to out great God & Savior, Jesus the Christ! AMEM & Amen...