²⁰ Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law;^(A) rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.^(B)

The Law and Sin

⁷ What shall we say, then?^(A) Is the law sinful? Certainly not!^(B) Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.^(C) For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”^[a](D)

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good^(A) to bring about my death,^(B) so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(A) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(B) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(C) that we might be justified by faith.^{(D) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(E)