Galatians 2:16

Is not justified (ou dikaioutai). Present passive indicative of dikaiow, an old causative verb from dikaiov, righteous (from dike, right), to make righteous, to declare righteous. It is made like aciow, to deem worthy, and koinow, to consider common. It is one of the great Pauline words along with dikaiosunh, righteousness. The two ways of getting right with God are here set forth: by faith in Christ Jesus (objective genitive), by the works of the law (by keeping all the law in the most minute fashion, the way of the Pharisees). Paul knew them both (see Rom. 7). In his first recorded sermon the same contrast is made that we have here (Acts 13:39) with the same word dikaiow, employed. It is the heart of his message in all his Epistles. The terms faith (pistiv), righteousness (dikaiosunh), law (nomov), works (erga) occur more frequently in Galatians and Romans because Paul is dealing directly with the problem in opposition to the Judaizers who contended that Gentiles had to become Jews to be saved. The whole issue is here in an acute form.

Save (ean mh). Except.

Even we (kai hmeiv). We Jews believed, had to believe, were not saved or justified till we did believe. This very point Peter had made at the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:10 f.). He quotes Psalms 143:2. Paul uses dikaiosunh in two senses (1) Justification, on the basis of what Christ has done and obtained by faith. Thus we are set right with God. Rom. 1-5. (2) Sanctification. Actual goodness as the result of living with and for Christ. Rom. 6-8. The same plan exists for Jew and Gentile.