But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
But the (justifying) righteousness which is of (that is, which is obtained by) faith speaketh on this wise, х houtoos (G3779)] - 'speaketh thus;' its language or import is to this effect (quoting in substance Deuteronomy 30:13-14, and with a running comment on the words quoted, to bring out their Christian reading).
Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? that is (in effect), to bring Christ down [from above] - q.d., 'Ye have not to sigh over the impossibility of attaining to justification; as if one should say, Ah! if I could but get some one to mount up to heaven and fetch me down Christ, there might be some hope; but since that cannot be, mine is a desperate case.'