Galatians 2:16

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, etc..] That is, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and other believing Jews knew this, and that from the law itself, which requires perfect and sinless obedience, and accuses, holds guilty, and adjudges to condemnation and death for the least failure, both as to matter or manner of duty; and from the prophets, which declare that by the deeds of the law no flesh can be justified in the sight of God, and who bear witness to the doctrines of remission of sin, and justification by the righteousness of Christ; and from the Gospel, in which this truth is most clearly revealed; and from the illumination of the blessed Spirit, who led them into all…”

“not justified by the works of the law--as the GROUND of justification. "The works of the law" are those which have the law for their object--which are wrought to fulfil the law [ALFORD]. but by--Translate, "But only (in no other way save) through faith in Jesus Christ," as the MEAN and instrument of justification. Jesus Christ--In the second case, read with the oldest manuscripts, "Christ Jesus," the Messiahship coming into prominence in the case of Jewish believers, as "Jesus" does in the first case, referring to the general proposition. justified by the faith of Christ--that is, by Christ, the object of faith, as the ground of our justification. for by the works of the law shall no flesh…”

“Knowing - We who are Jews by nature, or by birth. This cannot mean that all the Jews knew this, or that he who was a Jew knew it as a matter of course, for many Jews were ignorant of it, and many opposed it. But it means that the persons here referred to, those who had been born Jews, and who had been converted to Christianity, had had an opportunity to learn and understand this, which the Gentiles had not. This gospel had been preached to them, and they had professedly embraced it. They were not left to the gross darkness and ignorance on this subject which pervaded the pagan world, and they had had a better opportunity to learn it than the converts from the Gentiles. They ought, therefore,…”

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law - Not even of the moral, much less the ceremonial, law. But by the faith of Jesus Christ - That is, by faith in him. The name Jesus was first known by the gentiles; the name Christ by the Jews. And they are not always placed promiscuously; but generally in a more solemn way of speaking, the Apostle says, Christ Jesus; in a more familiar, Jesus Christ. Even we - And how much more must the Gentiles, who have still less pretence to depend on their own works! Have believed - Knowing there is no other way. Because - Considering the demands of the law, and the fate of human nature, it is evident, that by the works of the law - By such an…”

“2:16 Jews and Gentiles alike are sinners; the Good News requires both Jews and Gentiles to acknowledge that they are sinful (see Rom 2:1-5; 3:1-20) and in need of God’s grace (Rom 3:21-26). Peter later demonstrated his agreement with this message (Acts 15:7-11).”

“that: Gal 2:19, Gal 3:10-12, Gal 5:4; Job 9:2, Job 9:3, Job 9:29, Job 25:4; Psa 130:3, Psa 130:4; Luk 10:25-29; Act 13:38, Act 13:39; Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20, Rom 3:27, Rom 3:28, Rom 4:2, Rom 4:13-15; Phi 3:9 but: Gal 3:13, Gal 3:14, Gal 3:22-24, Gal 4:5; Rom 1:17, Rom 3:21-26, Rom 3:28, Rom 3:30, Rom 4:5, Rom 4:6, Rom 4:24, Rom 4:25, Rom 5:1, Rom 5:2, Rom 5:8, Rom 5:9; Rom 8:3, Rom 8:30-34; Co1 6:11; Co2 5:19-21; Phi 3:9; Heb 7:18, Heb 7:19 we have: Gal 2:20; Joh 6:68, Joh 6:69, Joh 20:31; Act 4:12; Pe1 1:2, Pe1 1:8, Pe1 1:9, Pe1 1:18-21, Pe1 2:24, Pe1 3:18; Pe2 1:1; Jo1 1:7, Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2; Rev 7:9, Rev 7:14 for: Gal 3:11; Psa 143:2 Galatians 2:17”