Romans 4:15

Because the law worketh wrath; that is, this is its effect upon fallen sinful men. It lays God's authority upon their consciences, without furnishing the grace needful to enable them to overcome their corrupt passions. Instead of making them holy, therefore, and fit for heaven, it works wrath in two ways: first, by laying duty upon them which they do not perform, it becomes the occasion of provoking against them the divine wrath; secondly, in the same way it fills their minds with a sense of guilt and fearful apprehension of wrath to come.

Where no law is, there is no transgression; were it possible that one should be absolutely without law, he could be guilty of no transgression; and the less clearly the divine law is revealed, the less does it operate to work wrath. Instead of saving those who have violated it, and yet seek to be justified by it, the law condemns them. As all men have violated it, none can be saved by it. If the promises were made only to those who should perfectly obey it, all would fail of the blessing. See note to chap Romans 5:20.