A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

12 But the law is not of faith. Sure it is that the law is not repugnant (or contrary) to faith: or else God should be unlike to himself: but we must always respect this, that Paul speaketh as the circumstance of the cause in hand did require. Therefore the repugnancy or contrariety of the Law and Faith, is in the cause of justification. for more easily shall you couple fire and water together, then make these two agree: Men are justified by Faith and, Men are justified by the Law. ⟨p. 65⟩The Law than is not of faith: that is to say it hath a way to justify men that is clean contrary from faith. But he that shall do these things. The diversity is in this point, that a man by fulfilling the law is accounted righteous by the righteousness of the Law, which he proveth by the testimony of Moses. Levit. 18.5. And what shall be the righteousness of faith? He defineth it, Rom. 10.9. If we believe Christ to have dyed for our sins, &c. And yet notwithstanding it followeth not thereof, that either faith is idle, or that the faithful should cease from good works. for the question is not in this place whether the faithful ought to keep the law, so far forth as they can (which is not to be doubted) but whether they obtain righteousness by works: the which is impossible. Finally if any object, Sith God promiseth life to the doers of the Law, Objection. Answer. why doth Paul say they are not just? the answer is easy. Therefore none are just or righteous by the works of the law, because there is none that do them. For we grant the doers of the law to be righteous if there be any such. but because the covenant is conditional, therefore are all excluded from life, because no man performeth the righteousness which he ought. That must be kept in remembrance which afore I warned you of, That they do the Law, not which in part obey it, but which do fulfil every jot of righteousness: from which perfection all are very far off.

12 But the lawe is not of faith. Sure it is that the law is not repugnant (or contrary) to faith: or else God should be vnlyke to himselfe: but wee muste alwayes respecte this, that Paule speaketh as the circumstaunce of the cause in hand did require. Therefore the repugnancie or contrarietie of the Lawe and Faith, is in the cause of iustification. for more easilye shall you couple fire and water together, then make these two agree: Men are iustified by Fayth and, Men are iustified by the Law.