Galatians 3:21-22

Galatians 3:21-22

[21] Is the law  then  against  the promises  of God?  God forbid:  for  if  a law  given  which  could  have given life,  verily  righteousness  should  by  the law.  [22] But  the scripture  hath concluded  all  under  sin,  that  the promise  by  faith  of Jesus  Christ  might be given  to them that believe. 

What does Galatians 3:21-22 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Do the Law and the promises contradict each other? Never! God designed them for two different purposes. The purpose of the Law was never to provide justification. It served as a mirror to show people their sinfulness and that they are the slaves of sin. When they realize they cannot save themselves, they will be open to receiving salvation as a gift by faith.
"God always intended to save by faith, apart from law. God gave the law, but he gave it in order that it would condemn all and thus prepare negatively for redemption on the basis of faith ( Galatians 3:22; Galatians 3:24, the purpose clauses conveying God"s intention). The law was not given to make alive ( Galatians 3:21)." [1]
"It rivets upon us the conviction that we cannot be justified by anything we can do. Like the Israelites in Egypt, we are commanded to make bricks without straw, to be perfectly holy when we have none of the makings of holiness-to love God with all our hearts and the neighbor as ourselves when we are without divine charity." [2]
"A law can lay down what people ought to do, but it cannot give them the power to overcome the temptations to do evil." [3]
The whole Old Testament ( Galatians 3:22), not just the Law of Moses ( Galatians 3:21), showed that people are sinners and incapable of saving themselves. Paul personified Scripture to illustrate that the Word is really God working through the Word.