The word of the day is “faith.”  In our reading of Galatians 3:8-12, St. Paul maintains that those whom God counts as righteous do not live by doing works of the Mosaic Law.  But, the apostle declares, “The just will live by faith” (vs. 12). Paul’s argument for the priority of faith over the works is two-fold.  First, the apostle notes that before God gave the Law to Moses, the Almighty gave a universal promise to Abraham.  The Almighty pledged that He would bless all the peoples of the world “in Abraham” (vs. 8).  Thus, the apostle taught that already before Moses, David, or the prophets, inspired scripture foresaw that the Gentiles would receive the fulfillment of the divine promise to Abraham.  That…

The word of the day is “faith.”  In our reading of Galatians 3:8-12, St. Paul maintains that those whom God counts as righteous do not live by doing works of the Mosaic Law.  But, the apostle declares, “The just will live by faith” (vs. 12). Paul’s argument that it is not works but faith that gives life is two-fold.  First, the apostle notes that before God gave the Law to Moses, the Almighty gave a universal promise to Abraham.  The Almighty pledged that He would bless all the peoples of the world “in Abraham” (vs 8).  Thus, the apostle taught that already before Moses, David, or the prophets, inspired scripture foresaw that the Gentiles would receive the fulfillment of the…