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No.3. A Study in Galatians.
"Works versus Faith."
pp. 61 - 64
The great contrast between the works of the law and the faith of Jesus Christ occurs in
Galatians in that historic contention which took place between the two apostles, Peter and
Paul, when Peter's attitude and dissembling jeopardized the whole fabric of Gospel
salvation.
"I said unto Peter before them all, if thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of
Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
. . . . . Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of
Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith
of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be
justified" (Gal. 2: 14, 16).
On three other occasions Paul speaks of the works of the law in Galatians:
"Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Gal. 3: 2).
"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?" (3: 5).
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse" (3: 10).
Once he speaks of the works of the flesh in contrast with the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5: 19), and his last reference speaks of those true works which manifest the
possession of life:
"Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone,
and not in another" (Gal. 6: 4).
It is evident that Paul has chiefly in mind in Galatians the works of the law. Now why
should he be so certain that:
"As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse?" (Gal. 3: 10).
Let Paul answer for himself. He gives four comprehensive and searching reasons,
which leave unregenerate man without hope.
(1) "Cursed is EVERYONE." There is no respect of persons with God, and this is a
two-edged argument that cuts both ways. In Rom. 2: Paul uses it to show that, should a
Gentile by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honour or immortality, the
fact that he was a Gentile and not one of the favoured nation would not tell against him,
for in this matter:
"There is no respect of persons with God" (Rom. 2: 11).