10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Having established the validity of his position on the matter of justification by faith by his reference to the Scriptures, Paul now issues his forthright challenge to those who trust in works. 'Do you really see the implications of your position', he asks, 'you who are resting on your works for salvation? Are you determined that justification will be by works? Very well! The standard is perfection. Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them' (see also James 2:10). Now, it is no answer to this to say, 'Oh, but no one is perfect', for that is precisely the point Paul is making. Because no one is perfect, justification by works is impossible. God does not lower His standard for anyone. One would have thought that this much was obvious to any thinking person, but in fact it seems to be a source of almost endless confusion, and one can only conclude that an evil spirit has hidden the truth from them - which is in fact what Paul maintains, as we have already seen. It is the work of the god of this world to blind the minds of them that believe not. There is a word in Proverbs (14:12) which has a special relevance in this connection: 'There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death'. The way of life is by faith alone.