Galatians 2:20,21 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The apostle proceeds in describing how he was freed from the dominion as well as guilt of sin, and how far he was from continuing in the commission of it. I am crucified with Christ To sin, to the world, and all selfish and corrupt desires and designs; my old man, my sinful nature, with its affections and lusts, is crucified with him; that is, through his death on the cross, and the grace procured for me, and bestowed on me thereby, that the body of sin may be destroyed, Romans 6:6. In other words, I have such a sense of his dying love in my hearty and of the excellence of that method of justification and salvation which he hath accomplished on the cross, that in consequence of it, I am dead to all the allurements of the world and sin, as well as to all views of obtaining righteousness and life by the law. Nevertheless I live A new and spiritual life, in union with God through Christ, and in a conformity to his will; yet not I The holy, happy life which I now live, is neither procured by my own merit, nor caused by my own power. Or, as ζω δε ουκ ετι εγω is more properly rendered, I live no longer, namely, as to my former sinful self, state, and nature, being made dead to the world and sin; but Christ liveth in me By his word and Spirit, his truth and grace; and is a fountain of life in my inmost soul, from which all my tempers, words, and actions flow. And the life that I now live in the flesh Even in this mortal body, and while I am surrounded with the snares, and exposed to the trials and troubles of this sinful world; I live by the faith of Or rather, as the apostle undoubtedly means, by faith in, and reliance on, the Son of God The spiritual life which I live, I derive from him by the continual exercise of faith in his sacrifice and intercession, and through the supplies of grace communicated by him; who loved me With a compassionate, benevolent, forgiving, and bountiful love; to such a degree that he gave himself Delivered himself up to ignominy, torture, and death; for me That he might procure my redemption and salvation. In the meantime I do not frustrate Or make void, in seeking to be justified by my own works; the grace of God His free, unmerited love in Christ Jesus, which they do who seek justification by the law; for if righteousness come by the law If men may be justified by their obedience to the law, ceremonial or moral; then Christ is dead in vain There was no necessity for his dying in order to their salvation, since they might have been saved without his death; might, by the merit of their own obedience, have been discharged from condemnation, and by their own efforts made holy, and consequently have been both entitled to, and fitted for, eternal life.