How is the law not of faith according to Galatians 3:12?
Galatians 3:12 says the law is not of faith, but the man who does them must live in them. Law demands doing and full observance, not believing. If someone seeks salvation by law, they must keep it entirely—temple, priesthood, and sacrifice included—yet Scripture shows that is impossible.
Les explains that verse 11 first states no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, for the just shall live by faith plus nothing. Verse 12 then contrasts law with faith: the law is not of faith; rather, the one who does them must live in them. In other words, law salvation is based on doing, not trusting. Les illustrates with a believer who told a neighbor that if he wanted to keep the Sabbath and the Law, he would also need a temple, a priest, and a herd of sheep, because the Law must be kept in full. If people want to keep the Law for salvation, they must keep it to the last iota; the only way was through temple, priesthood, and sacrifice, and even then they could not accomplish it because it is impossible.
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
More Questions
What does it mean that the law is not of faith in Galatians 3:12?
The law is not of faith; rather, the man who does the law's requirements has to live in them.