²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness^[a] comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

⁶ But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.^[a](A)

Another Priest, Like Melchizedek

¹¹ Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood—for the people received the law under this priesthood—what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek rather than one according to the order of Aaron?^(A)

²¹ Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive, then righteousness would indeed come through the law.

The Nature of Christian Freedom

² Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that, if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. ⁴ You who want to be reckoned as righteous^[a] by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.^(A)

¹⁴ and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain.

¹⁶ yet we know that a person is justified^[a] not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ.^[b] And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ^[c] and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law.^(A)

² through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.^(A)

³ Not knowing the righteousness of God and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness.^(A)