Why was the Law weak and beggarly from humanity's standpoint?
From humanity's standpoint, the Law was weak and beggarly because it was powerless to get the job done in people. Although the Law itself is perfect, holy, and righteous, it could not produce righteousness in mankind; all it could do was point the finger of condemnation at them.
Les explains that Paul speaks "after the manner of men," acknowledging that as a man he understands the Law from humanity's side. From that human standpoint, the Law was weak and beggarly; it just couldn't get the job done. This shocks people because we usually think of the Law as perfect, holy, and righteous, and it is. But humanly speaking, it was powerless, and all it could do was point the finger of condemnation at mankind. Even so, because a covenant in Scripture is a one-way street that begins and ends with God, no man can annul, cancel, or add to it.
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
More Questions
Why does it shock people to say the Law was weak and beggarly?
People are sometimes shocked by the idea that the Law was weak and beggarly because they ordinarily think of the Law as perfect, holy, and righteous.
What could the law actually do for mankind from the human standpoint?
From the human standpoint the Law was powerless, and all it could do was point the finger of condemnation at mankind.