²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(A) that we might be justified by faith.^(B)

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says,^(A) it says to those who are under the law,^(B) so that every mouth may be silenced^(C) and the whole world held accountable to God.^{(D) 20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(E) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(F)

Righteousness Through Faith

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God^(G) has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.^{(H) 22} This righteousness^(I) is given through faith^(J) in^[a] Jesus Christ^(K) to all who believe.^(L) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,^{(M) 23} for all have sinned^(N) and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified^(O) freely by his grace^(P) through the redemption^(Q) that came by Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ because the law brings wrath.^(A) And where there is no law there is no transgression.^(B)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(A) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(B) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(C) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^[a](D)

³ For what the law was powerless^(A) to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^[a](B) God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh^(C) to be a sin offering.^[b](D) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement^(E) of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.^(F)

⁴ Christ is the culmination of the law^(A) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.^(B)