According to Galatians 2:21, what conclusion follows if righteousness comes by the law?

• A. Christ is dead in vain.
• B. The Gentiles are saved by grace.
• C. The Law can only condemn.
• D. Salvation was never by the Law.

Answer: (A)

This item focuses on the logical consequence Paul lays out if righteousness could come from the law. In Galatians 2:21, Paul says that if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ’s death would be for nothing. The point is that Jesus’ death has a purpose—to secure righteousness that the law cannot provide. If the law could justify, there would be no need for Christ to die, so His death would be in vain. This ties to the broader argument in Galatians that justification comes by faith in Christ, not by works of the law, and that trying to gain righteousness through the law would undermine the necessity and efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. The other options refer to related themes ( Gentile salvation by grace, the law condemning, or salvation never by the law) but they don’t express the exact consequence Paul names—that Christ’s death would be meaningless if the law could justify.