Did the law's power stop with Israel?
No, the law’s power did not stop with Israel. Its purpose reaches the whole human race: every mouth may be stopped, and all the world—not just Israel—may become guilty before God. By the law comes the knowledge of sin and death, so no flesh is justified by deeds of law.
Les teaches that the law was given to Israel, and the Gentiles never were under it (s239–s240). Yet he emphasizes that the power of the law did not stop with Israel. Its scope extends to the whole human race so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world, not just Israel, may become guilty before God (s241–s245). Therefore, by the deeds of the law—or keeping the Ten Commandments—no flesh is justified, Jew or Gentile (s246–s248). By the law is the knowledge of sin and death, and the law was a ministration of condemnation and death (s249–s251; s227–s231).
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
More Questions
Does the law apply to everyone or only to Israel?
The law's demand is not limited to Jews: it silences every mouth and applies to every person in the world, regardless of status.