Leviticus 18 · a question people ask
"He shall live in them" (18:5): was the law a way to earn life?
Christians agree on what Paul says: "no man is justified by the law before God" (Galatians 3:11), and "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). They agree that Paul quotes this verse (Galatians 3:12; Romans 10:5). Christians read the verse itself in Leviticus in two main ways.
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
The law's terms, which show the need for Christ
Those who hold this view read 18:5 as Paul sets it beside faith: "For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse" (Galatians 3:10), and "The law is not of faith, but, ‘The man who does them will live by them.’" (Galatians 3:12). "Moses writes about the righteousness of the law" in these words (Romans 10:5). On this reading 18:5 states life for the one who does all the law asks, and no one does it, which points to Christ: "For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4).
Galatians 3:10-13 · Romans 10:4-6
The way of life for a people already rescued
Those who hold this view note that the LORD says "I am the LORD your God" before a single statute (18:2), as the Ten Commandments open, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 20:2). On this reading "he shall live in them" (18:5) describes the life of a people God had already rescued, as Moses later says: "to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live" (Deuteronomy 30:16). Paul, on this reading, quotes 18:5 against seeking to be justified by the law (Galatians 3:11-12).
Leviticus 18:2-5 · Exodus 20:2 · Deuteronomy 30:15-16 · Galatians 3:11-12
The verses
“You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am the LORD.”
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who doesn’t continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not of faith, but, “The man who does them will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,””
“For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.””