3:21 Humanity’s inability to keep the law, not the law itself, is the source of humanity’s broken relationship with God.

contrary to the promises of God. Paul strongly denies this mistaken conclusion from his argument. The law could be in competition with the gospel only if it could impart life by delivering sinners from its own condemnation. Although the law is good and shows what is pleasing to God (Lev. 18:5; Rom. 7:10), it was not able to give life to lawbreakers (2 Cor. 3:6). The Jews, possessing the law, were condemned by it. Scripture takes full account of this, showing that all are condemned sinners and pointing to the need for the promised Savior.