Man's own righteousness is in the last analysis a despising and rejecting of the grace of God. No combination of words can do justice to such an outrage. It is an insult to say that any man died in vain.
 Martin Luther, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians (1535). copy citation

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Author Martin Luther
Source Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians
Topic justice God
Date 1535
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Theodore Graebner
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1549/1549-h/1549-h.htm

Context

“The Law is a penny's worth when you compare it with Christ. Should I be so stupid as to reject the righteousness of Christ which cost me nothing, and slave like a fool to achieve the righteousness of the Law which God disdains? Man's own righteousness is in the last analysis a despising and rejecting of the grace of God. No combination of words can do justice to such an outrage. It is an insult to say that any man died in vain. But to say that Christ died in vain is a deadly insult. To say that Christ died in vain is to make His resurrection, His victory, His glory, His kingdom, heaven, earth, God Himself, of no purpose and benefit whatever.” source