Luther on the Abrogated Law

[Hanseng]

Comments on Galatians 5:23, Against such there is no law.

There is a Law, of course, but not against such. Thus Paul says elsewhere (1 Tim. 1:9): “The Law was not laid down for the just.” For the just man lives as though he had need of no Law to admonish, urge, and constrain him; but spontaneously, without any legal constraint, he does more than the Law requires. And so the Law cannot accuse and condemn the just; nor can it disturb their consciences. It tries, of course; but when Christ has been grasped by faith, He dispels the Law with all its terrors and threats. Thus it is completely abrogated for them, first in the Spirit, but then also in works. It does not have the right to accuse them; for spontaneously they do what the Law requires, if not by means of perfectly holy works, then at least by means of the forgiveness of sins through faith.

So a Christian fulfills the Law inwardly by faith—for Christ is the consummation of the Law for righteousness to everyone who has faith (Rom. 10:4)—and outwardly by works and by the forgiveness of sins. But those who perform the works of the flesh and gratify its desires are accused and condemned by the Law, both politically and theologically.

Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 27: Lectures on Galatians, 1535, Chapters 5-6; 1519, Chapters 1-6. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 27, p. 96). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.