Our Justification is Described (2:17-21)
Having identified justification, Paul next describes it. He first describes it in its relation to the law (2:17-19), and then in its connection with Christ (2:20-21).
Verse 17 refers to Christian Jews who, since they were condemned by the Law, sought righteousness in Christ apart from the Law. Yet, Jews called Gentiles “sinners” if Gentiles wanted to do the same thing.
Does Christ promote sin when He provides salvation separate from the Law? Of course not! Therefore, Paul asserted that if he presents a way of salvation by works of the Law, he becomes a transgressor of the spiritual truths he consistently preached (2:18). The Law’s effect on Paul was for him to die to all human effort to fulfill it in seeking to obtain righteousness (2:19).
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Verses 20-21 explicitly detail how the Law’s demands are fully satisfied in Christ. In the eyes of God, every Christian was co-crucified with Christ — His crucifixion was ours. The result is that the believer now lives in Christ by faith placed in Him. This is possible because of Christ’s love and voluntary sacrifice for our sins. Verse 21 tersely concludes that if justification comes by the Law, then Christ died uselessly. Justification by faith is not a reason for Christ’s death; it is the reason.
Justification by faith is central to Gospel proclamation. Let us be faithful in its confident proclamation. (Larry Overstreet)
