“But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given — because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ — to those who believe. Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed” (Galatians 3:22-23 NET).
In addition to what we read in the Biblical books of the Law, the wisdom literature of the Old Testament also acknowledges the reality of human sinfulness…
“Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'” (Proverbs 20:9 NIV)
“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 NIV).
“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” (Psalms 130:3 NIV).
As uncomfortable as it may be to acknowledge this, Paul the Apostle referenced a number of similar Old Testament quotes in the New Testament book of Romans…
“As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’ ‘Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.’ ‘The poison of vipers is on their lips.’ ‘Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ (1)
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin” (Romans 3:10-20 NIV).
We can summarize the relationship between faith and the Law with the following question and answer…
“But if the Law is not opposed to the promises, if there is no conflict between them, how can their harmony be demonstrated? By recognizing that while the Law could not justify or give life, it did prepare the way for the gospel. What part then did Law play in this respect? It declared the whole world… a prisoner of sin…
When people recognize this and give up attempts to please God by their own works, the way is prepared for them to receive the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” (2)
(1) See Psalms 14:1-3, Psalm 33:1, Psalm 5:9, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7, Isaiah 59:7-8, Psalm 36:1
(2) John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary [p.599]