“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”
Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. — Paul's clarification: the law is not anti-divine but rather limited; if law could 'vivify' (zōopoieō — give life/create life), it would achieve dikaiosynē, but it cannot, so it serves a subsidiary function.
Church Fathers on Galatians 3:21
“Is the Law then against the promises of God?” For if the blessing is given in the seed of Abraham, but the Law brings in the curse, it must be contrary to the promises. This objection he meets, first, by a protest, in the words, “God forbid:” And next he brings his proof; “For if there had been a law given which could make alive verily righteousness would have been of the Law.” His meaning is as follows; If we had our hope of life in the Law, and our salvation depended…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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