We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. (Galatians 2: 15-16)

Here is the core gospel taught by Paul: The law does not justify. We are justified - the Greek is dikaioo - through faith in Jesus Christ.

This is the Greek verb for rendering justice or for deciding what someone is due. It can involve condemnation of the guilty. But it as often means to declare innocent or "as one ought to be."

The law - of Moses or the Emperor - is incapable of fundamental justification. Only by being persuaded by Jesus or becoming the friend of Jesus can we become as we ought to be.

The Greek we translate as faith is pistis. This is a persuasion that leads to confident belief in another. It is to be in trusting relationship - full friendship - with another.

This kind of relationship is experienced rather than intentionally constructed. A friendship is formed over time, through shared joy and difficulty, and confirmed in mutual loyalty.