Galatians 5:4

“but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.”

Pursuing righteousness through law rather than faith.

“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Highlights the futility of seeking righteousness through the law; Christ's death becomes meaningless.

“Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”

Contrasts works-based righteousness with faith-based righteousness.

“Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.””

Emphasizes that justification comes through faith, not through the law.

“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Similar concept of being released from the law through Christ.