The law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantages for obtaining salvation.
Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many
favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless were made useful
to the conversion of many. But especially the Scriptures were committed to them. Enjoyment of
God's word and ordinances, is the chief happiness of a people. But God's promises are made only
to believers; therefore the unbelief of some, or of many professors, cannot make this faithfulness
of no effect. He will fulfil his promises to his people, and bring his threatened vengeance upon
unbelievers. God's judging the world, should for ever silence all doubtings and reflections upon
his justice. The wickedness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, proved man's need of the
righteousness of God by faith, and also his justice in punishing for sin. Let us do evil, that good
may come, is oftener in the heart than in the mouth of sinners; for few thus justify themselves in
their wicked ways. The believer knows that duty belongs to him, and events to God; and that he
must not commit any sin, or speak one falsehood, upon the hope, or even assurance, that God may
thereby glorify himself. If any speak and act thus, their condemnation is just.
Verses 9–18
Here again is shown that all mankind are under the guilt of sin, as a burden; and under the
government and dominion of sin, as enslaved to it, to work wickedness. This is made plain by
several passages of Scripture from the Old Testament, which describe the corrupt and depraved
state of all men, till grace restrain or change them. Great as our advantages are, these texts describe
multitudes who call themselves Christians. Their principles and conduct prove that there is no fear
of God before their eyes. And where no fear of God is, no good is to be looked for.
Verses 19 , 20
It is in vain to seek for justification by the works of the law. All must plead guilty. Guilty before
God, is a dreadful word; but no man can be justified by a law which condemns him for breaking
it. The corruption in our nature, will for ever stop any justification by our own works.
Verses 21–26
Must guilty man remain under wrath? Is the wound for ever incurable? No; blessed be God,
there is another way laid open for us. This is the righteousness of God; righteousness of his ordaining,
and providing, and accepting. It is by that faith which has Jesus Christ for its object; an anointed
Saviour, so Jesus Christ signifies. Justifying faith respects Christ as a Saviour, in all his three
anointed offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King; trusting in him, accepting him, and cleaving to him:
in all these, Jews and Gentiles are alike welcome to God through Christ. There is no difference,
his righteousness is upon all that believe; not only offered to them, but put upon them as a crown,
as a robe. It is free grace, mere mercy; there is nothing in us to deserve such favours. It comes freely
unto us, but Christ bought it, and paid the price. And faith has special regard to the blood of Christ,
as that which made the atonement. God, in all this, declares his righteousness. It is plain that he
hates sin, when nothing less than the blood of Christ would satisfy for it. And it would not agree