King James Bible
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Paul declares he does not nullify or set aside God's unmerited favor. The term 'frustrate' means to invalidate or make void, and Paul is defending his gospel against those who would add law-keeping to faith as a requirement for salvation. This presents the logical argument: if right standing with God could be achieved through observing the Mosaic law, then salvation would be earned rather than received. Paul addresses the Judaizers who insisted Gentile believers must follow Jewish law to be truly saved. The devastating conclusion exposes the theological impossibility: Christ's death would be meaningless and unnecessary if law-keeping could justify sinners. This stark statement emphasizes that grace and law-keeping are mutually exclusive paths to righteousness, making the cross central to salvation.