Could the law give life?

[TonyChanYT]

Yes, in some sense, Exodus 20:

12 Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

This law promised a long life. Moreover, Deu 32:

45And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. 47For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

Literally, Moses was talking about the present life and not the eternal life.

Could the law give eternal life?

No, Gal 3:

21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

The law alone or the works of the law does not give eternal life. This is where faith and grace come in.

1 John 5 spelled it out:

11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

 

[Bob Estey]

Yes, in some sense, Exodus 20:


This law promised a long life. Moreover, Deu 32:


Literally, Moses was talking about the present life and not the eternal life.

Could the law give eternal life?

No, Gal 3:


The law alone or the works of the law does not give eternal life. This is where faith and grace come in.

1 John 5 spelled it out:

I think the law keeps us out of trouble, if we obey it. (Of course, a long conversation of what constitutes the law always follows.)