10:5
The Jews were proud of the Law that had been given through Moses. It was the basis of the whole way of life of Israel. It wasn’t just about how they should live (though they rarely obeyed it properly), it defined the nation. However, the whole basis of the Law was “whoever does these things will live by them”. Note that it is not the content of the Law that is deficient, it is man who is deficient for he is unable to “do these things”. Some see this verse as Paul referring to Christ having kept the Law perfectly, having fulfilled it.
10:6,7
The righteousness that is by faith is different. It is different in that it depends on Christ having fulfilled the Law, not us having fulfilled the Law. When we try to earn our own righteousness we inevitably bring Christ down. We realise, at least subconsciously, that we cannot live up to God’s standards, so we gradually decrease God’s standards down to our level. The phrases that Paul uses in these verse may well be proverbial, expressing something that is impossible. Any attempt to earn our own righteousness inevitably ends up in us living a lie.
10:8
Paul continues his quotes from Deuteronomy. The quotes he has been giving come from Deut 30:11-14 where God is preparing the people for entering and living in the Promised Land. Paul has been setting the life of faith against the life of Law, along with the associated promises. The message of faith is not difficult. You do not need some special initiation, you do not need special enlightenment or special knowledge or insight. The gospel is open to all.
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