No man is righteous in himself. The righteous man here intended is the man who believes in Christ with the heart unto righteousness and who lays hold on Christ's righteousness by faith, in consequence of which he lives soberly, righteously, and godly, though not without sin! The law of God does not lie as a weight and burden on him. (1) He delights in the law of God, and God's commandments are not grievous to him; (2) nor do its curse and penalty lie on him as a punishment to be borne; (3) nor is it to him a terrifying law, bringing him into bondage and fear; (4) nor is it a despised law, forcing him into a way I of life he detests. But the law is enacted for the ungodly, the evil, aRd the profane; for it is against such persons and their deeds as an accusing, condemning, and terrifying law. Locks on doors are not made for honest men, but for crooks. "Do not steal, kill, lie, etc." are not rules needed by righteous men, but laws enacted to control and convict ungodly men.

     "ANYTHING THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST" the law lies against it, takes notice of it, and condemns it. We observe the harmony between God's law and His gospel, rightly understood and used. What is contrary to the one is contrary to the other. The gospel no more excuses sin than the law does. What is repugnant to the moral law of God is also contrary to the gospel of Christ, who said, "I came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it." --From Our Commentaries