I argued in the previous chapter that righteousness could be attained through the law if it is kept perfectly. Since no one obeys the entire law, the only way of salvation is through believing in Christ, who atoned for sin by his death on the cross. Paul takes a step further, however, in his theology of the law. Most Jews of his day believed that a greater understanding of the contents of the law would curb the sinful impulse and prevent sin from dominating a person’s life.