Law and Faith, the Two Great Moral Forces in Human History
Romans 3:29-31
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:…


"The law" means that which is written in every man's soul, and republished on Sinai. "Faith" means the gospel, "the glad tidings" of sovereign love to a ruined world. These two great moral forces of the world may be looked upon in three aspects.

I. AS AGREEING IN SOME RESPECTS.

1. In authorship. Both are Divine.

2. In spirit. Love is the moral essence, the inspiration of both.

3. In purpose. The well-being of humanity is the grand aim of both.

II. AS DIFFERING IN SOME FEATURES.

1. One is older in human history than the other. The law is as old as the human soul. The gospel began with man after the Fall (Genesis 3:15).

2. One addresses man as a creature, the other as a sinner. Law comes to man as a rational and responsible existent, and demands his homage; the gospel comes to him as a ruined sinner, and offers him assistance and restoration.

3. The one speaks imperatively, the other with compassion. "Thou shalt," "Thou shalt not," is the voice of law. The gospel invites, "Let the wicked forsake his way"; "Come unto Me"; "Ho, everyone that thirsteth."

4. The "law" demands, the "gospel" delivers. The law says, Do this and that, or Desist from this or that, and will hear no excuse. The gospel comes and offers deliverance from the morally feeble and condemned state into which man has fallen.

III. AS COOPERATING TO ONE RESULT. The law prepares for the gospel by carrying the conviction of sin and ruin. The gospel exalts and enthrones the law. This is the point of the text, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid." How does the gospel establish the law?

1. It presents it to man in the most commanding aspects.

2. It enthrones it in the soul.

3. It glorifies it in the life.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

WEB: Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn't he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,




How the Law May be Made Void or Established Through Faith
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