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Gal 3:21. Οὖν, then) This objection may be taken from the circumstance, that the law is said to have been given because of transgressions. The answer is, that the law is not against the promises, and in regard to the answer two considerations are presented: The one is, the law in itself, though it were willing, cannot give the life that has been promised, Gal 3:21; the other is, nevertheless, as a schoolmaster, it assisted the promise of life; Gal 3:22 to Gal 4:7. The first consideration is proved by this Enthymeme[29] (of the same sort as at Gal 3:18): If the law could give you life, righteousness would be by the law; but righteousness is not by the law; supply [the conclusion], therefore the law cannot give life. The major proposition is evident, for only the just shall live, Gal 3:11. The minor proposition, and at the same time the second consideration itself, is proved by Gal 3:22 : and that too by Epanodus;[30] for of these four terms, to give life, righteousness, sin, promise, the first and fourth, the second and third, have respect to each other.-νόμος, the law) It is called the law, not the law of God: but we say, the promises of God, not, the promises absolutely.-εἰ γὰρ, for if) The conditional force does not fall upon was given, for the law was certainly given, but upon was able (could have).-ὁ δυνάμενος, that was able) The article shows that the emphasis is on δύναμαι. The law would wish [to give life], Gal 3:12, for it says, he shall live, but it is not able.-ζωοποιῆσαι, to give life) In this expression death is taken for granted as threatened [by the law] against the sinner, and therefore the language becomes very distinct. The law offers life conditionally, Gal 3:12; but does not confer it, because it cannot, being deprived of all power to do so by sin.-ὄντως, verily) not merely in the opinion of those maintaining justification by works. The matter in hand [justification] is a serious one [the question at issue is a serious reality], although it be now beyond the power of the law.-ἡ δικαιοσύνη, righteousness) For righteousness is the foundation of life. The antithesis is sin, Gal 3:22.
[29] See Append. A covert syllogism, where one or other premiss is understood. Here it is the oratorical Enthymeme, where an argument is confirmed from its contrary: If the law could, etc., which it could not, etc.-ED.
[30] See App. It is the repetition of the same words, either as to sound or sense, in an inverted order.